The Dalai Lama's Cat

Product Information

One these flat characters even peppers her language with random italian words, much like a caricature. Heh. Once the three of them settled into their chairs, I made my way toward them, eager no Moments later, the itching stopped as abruptly as it had begun. Had it all been something in my imagination? Some perverse quirk of karma originating from who knew where? Very few people are born meditators. Others learn to become great meditators. Most of us, however, have meditation thrust upon us. In sharing my story with you, I am doing so not because I think it’s very special—I am distinctly special, of course; that matter is beyond dispute. What I’m talking about here is the story of how I came to meditation. The reason I share it is because I feel it may be one you can relate to. One you understand. You may even see a teensy-weensy bit of yourself in me—how lovely for you!

I love cats and I'm also interested in religions, so which is the best way to learn something about Buddhism if not through the cat of the Dalai Lama? David Michie is the bestselling author of Buddhism for Busy People, Hurry Up and Meditate and Enlightenment to Go. All have been published internationally and are being translated into many languages. He has also written four thrillers, most recently The Magician of Lhasa, to bring the profoundly life-enhancing perspectives of Tibetan Buddhism to a wider audience of fiction readers. David was born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, educated at Rhodes University, South Africa, and lived in London for ten years. He is married and is based in Perth, Australia. www.davidmichie.com She was doing that yesterday, too,” observed Tenzin. The two of them stood, watching me for a few moments before they met each other’s eyes. They reached the same diagnosis in unison: “Fleas!” I really enjoyed this book; I learned a lot about Buddhism that I did not before, as well as learning that some things I thought I knew about it, I was wrong about. I think that no matter what your religious beliefs are, or if you do not have any religious beliefs at all, there are things we can all learn from Buddhism. In fact, this quote from the book sums it up best; "The purpose of Buddhism is not to convert people. It is to give them tools so they can be happier Catholics, happier atheists, happier Buddhist."

Customer reviews

I am always surprised how many people make this observation. Why should His Holiness not have a cat?

Thank you, David Michie. I read "The Dalai Lama's Cat" in 2018, then "The Four Paws" some weeks ago, which changed my life. Such a cliche, I know. But, literally, yes, literally, reading this one did. All I can say is I was ready to read it, or something. I am not saying reading any or all of these four Dalai Lama Cat books will change anyone else's life—that would be silly. Gavau daug atsakymų į klausimus, kurie man ilgai nedavė ramybės. Vienas skyrius itin įstrigo į galvą, nes lygiai kaip ir JŠK beskaitydamas supratau kas ta tikroji laimė. Tai ką mes laikome laimės pagrindu, tėra nepastovūs dalykai, kuriems žlugus dingsta ir mūsų laimė. ” Nepastovumas. Tokia visa ko prigimtis, labiausiai santykių. Jie nėra tikrasis laimės pagrindas.“ O tikroji pastovi laimė yra daryti kitus laimingus, tada ir patys jausimės laimingi. Tai yra tikroji laimė.Starving and pitiful, a mud-smeared kitten is rescued from the slums of New Delhi and transported to a life she could have never imagined. In a beautiful sanctuary overlooking the snow-capped Himalayas, she begins her new life as the Dalai Lama’s cat.

Ears pointing forward, I tuned in to the approaching sound. There was no question—it was coming up the hill. As the white vehicle with flashing lights appeared at the entrance to Namgyal, I rose to my feet. A stray?” he exclaimed, after His Holiness briefly explained the reason why I was occupying the seat between them. This is a question that has come up a lot recently. Can you believe the cheek of it?! People will study the sumptuous elegance of my delightfully fluffy coat, admire my thousand whiskers and gaze directly into the oceanic blueness of my eyes. And even though they immediately recognise me as the author of the most intriguing volume of memoirs to hit the bookstores this Fall – well, someone had to say it – they still ask: “Yes, but does the Dalai Lama really have a cat?”As humans we have much greater potential, of course, “ His Holiness replied. “But the way we all want very much to stay alive, the way we cling to our particular experience of consciousness—in this way human and animal are equal.” Michie combines the antics of the cat with perceptive portrayals of the Dalai Lama and his teachings. The characterization of the Dalai Lama in his simplicity, wisdom, and humanity is similar to the many portrayals of this Tibetan spiritual leader that are readily available in books and articles. On his new pet, the Dalai Lama comments simply and wisely, without anthropomorphizing, that cats, as do all sentient beings including humans, want to be loved. In his capacity as a house cat, the narrator gets to know the Dalai Lama intimately and to be party to his many meetings with other people, both famous and obscure. In the various chapters of the book, stories of the cat and her adventures are combinded with a specific teaching of the Dalai Lama in a way that brings out the teachings and entertains. (For example, in one chapter teachings on the need for self-control are combined with a story about how the cat is pampered and overfed by people both within and without the Dalai Lama's residence. The vet puts her on a diet. When I took my new kitty to the vet, I was told she was fat and needed to lose weight.) Didacticism and simple Buddhism are combined with fun and irreverence. (Note: Six years after writing this review, the cat is still fat.) Because the Dalai Lama was still at the temple, I went to the office of the executive assistants, dropping the mouse and announcing my arrival with an urgent meow. Responding to the unfamiliar tone, Chogyal and Tenzin both turned and looked at me in surprise as I stood there proudly, with the mouse on the carpet at my feet. Each chapter in this novel draws on a different Buddhist philosophy, and the reader gets drawn into the world of the cat, (dubbed HHC- His Holiness's Cat,) who learns Buddhist teachings and applies them to her own life while the Dalai Lama and others teach those around them who come for help. Like most of the dog lover's books out today, this one is geared to the cat lovers of the world and is filled with a plethora of valuable thoughts to ponder such as: "all lives, even ones that appear insignificant, are of value and have meaning" or "it is not so much the circumstances of our lives that make us happy or unhappy but how we perceive them so that if viewed properly even the most unfortunate circumstances can become amazing opportunities for personal growth". Added to these are insights into the theory of Karma (my mother explained it as - what goes around, comes around).