'In the months that followed I watched His Holiness working on a new book... I began to think that perhaps the time had come for me to turn my paws to a book of my own . . . one that tells my own tale . . . How I was rescued from a fate too grisly to contemplate, to become constant companion to a man who is not only one of the world's greatest spiritual leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but who is also a dab hand with the can opener.' Not so much fly-on-the-wall as cat-on-the-sill, this is the warm-hearted tale of ...
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'In the months that followed I watched His Holiness working on a new book... I began to think that perhaps the time had come for me to turn my paws to a book of my own . . . one that tells my own tale . . . How I was rescued from a fate too grisly to contemplate, to become constant companion to a man who is not only one of the world's greatest spiritual leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but who is also a dab hand with the can opener.' Not so much fly-on-the-wall as cat-on-the-sill, this is the warm-hearted tale of a small kitten rescued from the slums of New Delhi who finds herself in a beautiful sanctuary with sweeping views of the snow-capped Himalayas. In her exotic new home, the Dalai Lama's cat encounters Hollywood stars, Buddhist masters, Ivy-league professors, famous philanthropists, and a host of other people who come visiting His Holiness. Each encounter offers a fresh insight into finding happiness and meaning in the midst of a life of busy-ness and challenge. Drawing us into her world with her adorable but all-too-flawed personality, the Dalai Lama's cat discovers how instead of trying to change the world, changing the way we experience the world is the key to true contentment. Featuring a delightful cast of characters, timeless Buddhist wisdom, and His Holiness's compassion pervading every chapter, The Dalai Lama's Cat is simply enchanting.
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Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat to cart. $1.46, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House Visions.
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat to cart. $1.99, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House Visions.
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Fair. An acceptable and readable copy. All pages are intact, and the spine and cover are also intact. This item may have light highlighting, writing or underlining through out the book, curled corners, missing dust jacket and or stickers.
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat to cart. $2.10, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House Visions.
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat. David Michie to cart. $2.79, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House.
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat. David Michie to cart. $2.79, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House Visions.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat to cart. $3.81, very good condition, Sold by Solr Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Skokie, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hay House UK Ltd.
My interest in Buddhism and in the Dalai Lama, together with my adoption two months ago of a darling year-old cat, prompted me to read this new novel "The Dalai Lama's Cat" by David Michie. A resident of Australia, Michie has written a number of popular introductions to Buddhism with titles such as "Buddhism for Busy People" and "Enlightenment on the Go." His novel has an appealing surface simplicity and accessibility.
This story is recounted in the first person by the title character -- the Dalai Lama's cat. Even with highly accomplished authors, books in which an animal is the primary character, not to speak of the narrator, run high risks of anthropomorphism or just plain cuteness or preciousness. The highly reflective cat that narrates this story is not free of either quality, particularly as she seems to develop her variant of a Buddhist practice -- she aims to become a "bohdicatva" as is said more than once. (In Tibetan Buddhism a Bohdisattva is a person who defers his or her own individual enlightenment to work towards the enlightenment of all sentient beings. It is a high ideal.) Yet, the figure of the cat is deliberately outrageous and outlandish and in the context of the book it mostly works. The book also works because Michie knows cats very well and loves them. When the cat is not discussing Buddhism but is instead behaving -- as a cat-- lovers of cats will recognize their favorite animal.
The story begins with H.H. the Dalai Lama and his retinue are driving through the streets upon returning from the United States and rescue a tiny bedraggled but apparently pedigree stray cat from a group of boys who are trying to sell her and the rest of the liter. The little kitty is brought to the Dalai Lama's residence where he quickly becomes beloved. Different people offer different names for the cat throughout the story. She is usually referred to as "HHC" for His Holiness' cat. The Dalai Lama himself calls her "Snow Lion". Other people call her names including "Rinpoche" or "Mousie-Tung".
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.)
The human characters introduced include members of Dalai Lama's retinue as well as other monks, world leaders, actors and actresses and authors, entrepreneurs, and simple people. Each character either teaches or learns as described through the cat's-eye. Among the individuals described is the Dalai Lama's longstanding chef, an Italian widow named Mrs. Trinci. Shortly after the cat arrives, she narrates an exchange between the two as Mrs. Trinci hesitantly asks the Dalai Lama: "I have been coming to cook here for more than twenty years, but you have never tried to convert me. Why is that?" The Dalai Lama responds:
"The purpose of Buddhism is not to convert people. It is to give them tools so they can create greater happiness. So they can be happier Catholics, happier atheists, happier Buddhists. There are many practices, and I know you are already very familiar with one of them...... It is the wonderful paradox...that the best way to achieve happiness for oneself is to give happiness to others."
"The Dalai Lama's Cat" is a delightful novel that reminded me of many Buddhist teachings and that will serve as an introduction to readers new to the subject. As for cats, and other creatures, it is still better to love them as they are.
Robin Friedman
awny
Aug 22, 2013
Delightful introduction to Buddhism
Mitchie has contrived a charming bedside reader--a chapter a night will sail you through the principle tenets of Buddhism as seen from several perspectives including the orphaned cat, heroine of the text. Written with humor, never dull, often so surprising you may find yourself putting down the book to consider its implications, lying on the floor to allow the mind body connection to heal your angst......and just the prescription for depression you may need.
