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The Lama of Many Lifetimes, a two volume biography by Sue-Sue Luu, documents the life of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, a profound journey of awakening in the hell realm of harsh prison conditions. H.E. Garchen Rinpoche is one of this era’s most revered teachers.  Born in a peasant family, and taught the Dharma by his yogi father, he was recognized and sent to a monastery as a young child. 

The first volume portrays the old ways of life in pre-occupation Tibet accompanied by extensive photo documentation. This alone would be invaluable. The first volume sets the stage for the remarkable story of Rinpoche’s blossoming of wisdom during his 20-year imprisonment. Sue-Sue has creatively composed the second volume to starkly let us share this journey. With chapters for each year, she highlights key Dharma insights, painstakingly gained during momentary connections and sustained amidst forced labor and starvation.  Rinpoche shares the harsh conditions that led him to wish for death, the karmic conditions that saved his life and the rare encounters with Khenpo Munsel that began softening his heart. We witness Rinpoche turning from the “most angry man in the world” into the wise beloved teacher we know today.

With this biography, we can ponder the power of the Dharma and the process of wisdom dawning.  Rinpoche humbly shares his turning point- so that we can do the same when life seems unbearable. Some passages on tonglen are so meaningful they must be read over and over.  I have drawn upon them for my own development and used them in teachings countless times. HE Garchen Rinpoche’s life is a profound teaching of the heart’s inviolable potential for us and future generations.

Dear Sue-Sue,  I just finished reading your book.  I can’t tell you how much I cried reading it and learned from it.  It’s probably one of the best Dharma books I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many.  But rarely does a dharma book illustrate the law of karma at a level that we ordinary beings can relate to so well and apply it to our everyday life. 

What Garchen Rinpoche went through to transform his afflictive emotions into liberation -- just like you felt, I too felt as if I were there alongside Rinpoche in his prison cell experiencing all those horrors that transformed his mind while I myself was being purified too.  Now all Rinpoche’s teachings, as well as other dharma teachings, make so much more sense, and I feel it sinking deep into every cell in my body.

Thank you for writing such a significant meaningful book, dear Sue-Sue.  Such a book could’ve only come from a pure soul like yourself, to be able to translate Rinpoche’s amazing life story onto pages that was just like watching a movie!  And, yes, I fervently wish if it can be made into a movie in our lifetime!  What an incredible being Rinpoche is!  We are truly blessed to have met him in this lifetime. Much love and gratitude to you!  

I am a connoisseur of stories of all sorts, reading, watching, listening and living them is all I do. Among those stories are a few rare gems that do more than entertain, they fundamentally change the way I see the world. This is unquestionably the most beautiful and inspiring spiritual biography I have ever read. I am so grateful to have been given this priceless glimpse into the imprisonment and liberation of Garchen Rinpoche. Whether you already know him or not, I highly recommend this book. I was really amazed at the detail and depth captured here in the narration, the direct stories from Rinpoche himself, and the treasure trove of pictures and anecdotes the author weaves together. More, please!

My journey with H.E. Garchen began in 1997. After 23 years of practice, Book 2 opened the lotus flower for me. Rinpoches life in the PHYSICAL inner and outer prison brought me to tears. His sharing of his struggles with the inner and outer prison his MIND awakened me. I finally understood the ultimate level of karma. The "UNLOCKING THE GATE OF THE INTANGIBLE PRISON - OUR DELUDED MIND - LIBERATES US" ( quote from book). His "humanness," his struggles, being the same as all humans helped me to see, feel and touch the gratefulness of my life. I dedicate the merit of ALL who worked so hard to bring this forth. This book is a precious jewel in these challenging times. The benefit for all beings is immeasurable ! I prostrate to the Triple Gem. 

This book is a most read for anyone who is a student of Garchen Rinpoche, the Precious One. Every word in this book about his life and his teachings touch me in ways I cannot describe.

As I read his biography my devotion and love for him grew and I found myself crying as I actually felt I was surrounded by his love not just for me but for all sentient beings.

His struggles and his suffering were so clearly portrayed I was able to see him as the human being that he is and that showed me that if he felt this immeasurable love and compassion for even those who hurt him and the Tibetan people, my problems are nothing compared to what he went through.
May all be touched by the words in this book as I was touched. May his life be an example to all of us who are fortunate to receive his teachings and call him our root guru. May he have perfect health and a long life for the benefit of all sentient beings and may his teachings spread far and wide.

The incredible story of a Tibetan monk who fought the Chinese during their take over of Tibet and the story of the spiritual transformation he experienced during his long imprisonment. By his own account he was filled with thoughts of hatred and revenge because of the atrocities committed by the Chinese. He met the great scholar and monk Khenpo Munsel whose example and words were profoundly life changing for Garchen Rinpoche. A wonderful book and appropriate for our times!

This is a lovely book which made me feel so connected to Garchen Rinpoche, and look further into his teachings. It is an unconventional form but filled with devotion. Highly reccommended.