Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Martial arts legend and international movie star Jet Li distills ten powerful insights from his iconic career, his personal life and philosophies, and his thirty-year Buddhist practice

Jet Li’s story defies legend. Born into extreme hardship, he fought his way to become the youngest national martial arts champion in Chinese history at twelve years old, dominating opponents twice his size. He then became one of the first internationally renowned movie stars from China with films including Once Upon a Time in China, Hero, and Fearless. These films redefined martial arts for the modern world, making him a household name.

But behind the glory lay a deeper battle: a search for meaning beyond fame, fortune, and physical skill. After a near-death encounter in the 2004 tsunami, Li turned inward, deepening his study of Tibetan Buddhism and dedicating his life to philanthropy, though he was at the height of his Hollywood career.

For the very first time, Li shares the ten insights that have guided his life, in which anyone can find wisdom, guidance, and power, including: 

• life is movement;
• the secret to self-defense;
• separate the bitterness from the pain;
• be a grandson to the world; and
• learn from everyone.

Li invites readers to share his interior life, to hear untold stories from his martial arts and film career, and to meditate with him on the nature of spiritual awakening. If you look deeply, you can see Li’s life philosophy in many of his movies, and in Beyond Life and Death he fully links his own story and spiritual journey with ten actionable insights that anyone can apply to live a healthy and happy life.

Jet Li is an internationally acclaimed martial artist, actor, and philanthropist. After rising to fame as a five-time national Wushu champion and starring in Shaolin Temple, he became a global icon through films like Hero, Fearless, and Romeo Must Die. Following a near-death experience in the 2004 tsunami, he founded the One Foundation to promote philanthropy and community giving. A student of Tibetan Buddhism for 30 years, Jet brings a lifetime of discipline, reflection, and spiritual insight to this deeply personal book.