Rebel Buddha

On the Road to Freedom

By: Dzogchen Ponlop

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Dzogchen Ponlop (introduction)

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

There's a rebel within you. It's the part of you that already knows how to break free of fear and unhappiness. This rebel is the voice of your own awakened mind. It's your rebel buddha - the sharp, clear intelligence that resists the status quo. It wakes you up from the sleepy acceptance of your day-to-day reality and shows you the power of your enlightened nature. It's the vibrant, insightful energy that compels you to seek the truth.

Dzogchen Ponlop guides you through the inner revolution that comes from unleashing your rebel buddha. He explains how, by training your mind and understanding your true nature, you can free yourself from needless suffering. He presents a thorough introduction to the essence of the Buddha's teachings and argues that, if we are to bring these teachings fully into our personal experience, we must go beyond the cultural trappings of traditional Asian Buddhism. We all want to find some meaningful truth about who we are, he says, but we can only find it guided by our own wisdom - by our own rebel buddha within.

Introduction read by the author.

©2010 Dzogchen Ponlop (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche shatters old myths and sweeps away cultural baggage, presenting the essence of the Buddha’s teachings in a fresh, contemporary voice. With uncommon clarity and authority, he offers a new vision for the future of Buddhism that is at once shocking and hopeful. This is a small book with a big message that is timely and important." (Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart)

"The author's practical approach is disarming, especially when applying Buddhism to the challenges of everyday life." ( Publishers Weekly)

Excellent explaination of Buddhist Essentials +

Buddhism isn't really a religion nor is it the "pop cult' that began around 1960 in the USA. Ponlop's basic message is the need to strip the cultural trappings and the "Kung Fu" image away from most of the Buddhism practices and dogma currently passing for Buddhism. He makes the best case I've seen so far, for Americanizing (Westernizing) the practice of the Historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gottima's, teachings. He spells out the steps needed in a logical and, for me, compelling way for individual practices. He offers direction for the growth of Buddhism by showing that having an Asian face is not required to be a wise and effective teacher. He shows that Buddhism has always been adapted to the culture of the area in which it practiced. There are different cultural traditions in different regions none of which are essential to the practice of what Buddha taught, but many of which help its adherents understand and relate to Buddha's teachings. Essentially Buddhism is an education system teaching wisdom, ultimate wisdom. It needs to reach its students through the culture they understand and relate to. Thus I think what Dzogchen Ponlop's "Rebel Buddha" means by "The Road to Freedom" is the releasing of people from following cultural trappings in order for them to see the real teachings of the Buddha.

Its an easy book to read, interesting and thought provoking for me and hits the mark for what I have learned from the Monk who is my guide and teacher - so much so that I recommended the book to him as well. For those who find this book interesting and want to know more I recommend another book, unfortunately not available as an Audio Book, "The Collected Works of Venerable Master Chin Kung" subtitled "The Awakening of Lovingkindness." Its a free book published by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, in Taiwan. You may find it in your public library.

Simply fantastic narration!

Loved it. A very mind centric approach to Buddhism. Narrator is the best I have expetienced to date.

another great listen!

Loved it! Very inspirational if you are a rebel (in the kindest sense). Offers permission, and ways, to open your mouth as well as your heart and still be at peace with who you are.

Excellent information

I am new to this subject and will have to listen to it again as it is so full of information. I did get a very good view of Buddhism. Enough that I will read further on the subject.

love it.

Where does Rebel Buddha rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

the best of the buddha books.

What other book might you compare Rebel Buddha to and why?

art of happiness

What about Jonathan Davis and Dzogchen Ponlop (introduction) ’s performance did you like?

its simple and to the point. great examples and easy instruction

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes but in an open heart way

Awesome book

Any additional comments?

The narration was very clear and well enunciated. The only minor flaw I found was the narrator is almost too emotionless. In a humorous way I sometimes felt like I was listening to a 60's CIA indoctrination speech. But that is just my personal thought; really it was well done.

Feeling ones understanding

It was wonderful to listen to Rebel Buddha. Dzogchen helps reader dive seeping into ones own self awareness. Thank you!

Very good guidance to find true self

before I thought buddism is diety but having completed this book realized that he is an inspiration not a pagan God. Apart from this there numerous details about finding the balance between life & spirituality

Gautama's Cause

Where does Rebel Buddha rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tied and equally good.

What other book might you compare Rebel Buddha to and why?

Zen mind, beginners mind. Because it is clear.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Dzogchen Ponlop (introduction) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

Thanks for making it available.

Good intro to the subject

For a good, basic introduction to Buddhism, it gets the job done. After studying the subject for most of my adult life, there's just not anything particularly new here.