The Little Lama of Tibet

Raimondo, Lois

ISBN 10: 0590461672 ISBN 13: 9780590461672

Publisher: Scholastic, 1994

Synopsis

An illustrated biography of Ling Rinpochey, the young Buddhist monk who will be the next leader of the Tibetan people.

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Reviews

Grade 3-6-The fantastic but true story of a six-year-old Buddhist monk. Ling Rinpoche lives in India with 12 adult caregivers. Believed to be the reincarnation of a highly respected Tibetan teacher, he leads a carefully regulated but isolated existence that consists of exercise, prayer, study, plus public sessions where he dispenses both blessings and advice. On holy days, Rinpoche sits on a golden throne and leads ceremonies. Raimondo spent a year in Dharamsala and had official permission to interview Rinpoche on an exclusive basis. She writes a sympathetic account of this unusual life and the religious and cultural beliefs that shape it. However, it's her magnificent full-color photographs that truly capture Rinpoche's world. She does not attempt to justify what, under other circumstances, would challenge Western notions of individual freedom. Instead, her account simply tries to make vivid a life bound by tradition, acquired wisdom, and religious devotion. A "More About Tibet" page suggests the role that the young monk plays in ensuring his culture's survival. The volume also includes a map, stunning endpapers showing the Tibetan alphabet, plus personal letters from both the Dalai Lama and Ling Rinpoche. A beautiful photo essay that reveals a world radically different from our own.
Ellen D. Warwick, Winchester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From its foreword by the Dalai Lama to its hand-lettered endpapers depicting the Tibetan alphabet, this haunting photo essay beautifully presents a most unusual subject: six-year-old Tibetan Buddhist high lama Ling Rinpoche. With her clear writing and thoughtfully composed, if dark photographs, Raimondo conveys Rinpoche as both a spiritual leader and a regular boy. Text and color photos document the training of a holy leader and the everyday life of an active six-year-old. Accordingly Rinpoche is shown earnestly studying the scriptures and then playing with his blocks, blessing pilgrims and riding a merry-go-round. When another young high lama visits, the boys greet each other solemnly, then walk off hand-in-hand to play. When Rinpoche retires to his room to pray, he does so surrounded by his collection of stuffed bears. While it may be difficult for those unfamiliar with Buddhism to appreciate the importance of Rinpoche's position--and while the Dalai Lama's introductory remarks about reincarnation may raise more questions than they answer--Raimondo's respectful approach will assure readers that they have glimpsed something very special. A note by Rinpoche eloquently ends a strange and wonderful journey. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A photo essay about six-year-old Ling Rinpoche, a young Tibetan Buddhist monk, said to be the reincarnation of the late tutor of the present Dalai Lama. While living in Dharamsala, India, home of the young lama, Raimondo received permission to interview and photograph him. She presents Rinpoche's daily activities, the adults who surround him, and his travels to his monastery and to New Delhi for a once-a-year vacation. The author clearly explains Rinpoche's role as ``cultural caretaker''/teacher of Tibetan spiritual ways; unfortunately, her explanation of reincarnation is less adequate. The book opens with a letter for adults from the Dalai Lama and concludes with a message to American children from Rinpoche. The artistically composed color photos depict an appealing, hard-working child/student priest. Since they were taken using naturally available light, they are sometimes dark; also, they're not always well placed in relation to the text. A map and note about Tibet are (of necessity) ethnocentric, and don't reflect the political reality of Tibet as an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. An interesting and unusual portrait, but not fully satisfying. Pronunciation of names is given in the text. (Nonfiction. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 5-9. Ling Rinpoche is a six-year-old boy; and he's a high lama, one of the most respected priests in the Tibetan Buddhist religion. This intimate photo-essay by New York journalist Raimondo captures the daily life of the small monk and the culture in which he plays a crucial role. Warm color pictures show him studying long hours with his tutors, presiding on a golden throne as he leads hundreds of people in prayer, and also playing with Legos and leaning against his teddy bear. His companions are attendants and teachers who are preparing him to lead his people. In a preface, the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, says that the boy is the reincarnation of a great teacher, deliberately reborn to help others. The mystery of how he was identified is not addressed, but readers might like to go from this picture book to accounts by and about the Dalai Lama (such as Perez' Dalai Lama ), who also was discovered as a child to be a reincarnated leader and trained for his present role. There's nothing cute or exotic in the presentation of Ling Rinpoche. It's hard to know how American kids will take his personal appeal to them to be good, study hard, and respect their parents; but readers will be moved by the story of a boy who knows he has a special destiny. Hazel Rochman

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0590461672
• ISBN 13: 9780590461672
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 40