Gendun Chopel

By Donald S. Jr Lopez

Book Description

Donald S. Lopez Jr. presents an intimate portrait of one of Tibet's most enigmatic spiritual figures in this comprehensive exploration of Gendun Chopel's extraordinary life and teachings. Born in 1903, Chopel embodied seemingly contradictory roles as poet, philosopher, adventurer, and saint, becoming a cultural bridge between traditional Tibetan Buddhism and the modern world.

This remarkable figure began as a recognized reincarnation and Gelukpa monk, yet his extensive travels through British India exposed him to Western influences that would transform him into Tibet's first modern artist and writer. His progressive ideas and deep scholarship earned him recognition among Tibet's intellectual elite, though his forward-thinking perspectives ultimately led to imprisonment in Lhasa.

Lopez, drawing from his extensive research into Chopel's life and work, guides readers through the fascinating journey of a man who lived at a pivotal moment in Tibetan history. As twentieth-century modernity collided with ancient traditions, Chopel emerged as a cultural prophet whose nonsectarian Buddhist practice and philosophical contributions would eventually establish him among Tibet's greatest spiritual masters.

Through carefully selected writings that reveal the breadth of Chopel's thought, this work offers readers insight into a visionary who was largely unappreciated during his lifetime yet whose love of the Dharma continues to inspire spiritual seekers today. The book illuminates how one individual navigated the tension between preserving sacred wisdom and embracing necessary change.