receive our newsletters
join Friends of FPMT
Lama Yeshe driving to Reno, Nevada, 1980. Photo courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
Big Love: The Life and Teachings of Lama Yeshe is the official, authorized biography of Lama Yeshe. The two volume book tells the fascinating story of Lama Yeshe, how he met Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and how they created the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). It begins in Tibet, where Lama was born, and moves to the refugee camp in Buxa Duar, West Bengal, India, where Rinpoche became his student. The story continues to other parts of India and Nepal, and finally to the entire world.
Big Love contains hundreds of personal stories about Lama Yeshe from students, as well as more than 1,500 photos. Here’s one of the book’s more high-octane stories about Lama Yeshe.
Driving with Lama
Life with Lama Yeshe was never dull. Peter Stripes had a fashion business in Melbourne and was one of the very first customers of Roger Wheeler’s export business in Kathmandu. Lama had recently helped him find a Tara statue in Delhi. Wishing to return the favor, Stripey bought a little red Fiat 500 for Lama and sent it up to Chenrezig by train. Yeshe Khadro and Jhampa Zangpo, who had arrived at Chenrezig from Dharamsala a couple of months earlier, had the unenviable task of teaching him how to drive. Certainly, whatever Lama lacked in know-how he made up for with boundless enthusiasm. In the clear country air, the roaring of an over-revved engine, and the grinding of gears provided a backdrop to Rinpoche’s lamrim teachings. Much to Yeshe Khadro’s horror, Lama often took both hands off the wheel while bowling along, turning to her with a huge grin. Jhampa Zangpo was also beside himself with fear. “Lama said I got too hysterical, but his antics were hair-raising. He had so much gusto and absolutely no interest in taking things slowly,” he said.
While driving alone one day, Lama accelerated instead of braking on a curve and shot off the road down a steep incline. Fortunately, this rapid descent was halted by a tree. A neighbor who witnessed this mishap clambered down to find Lama Yeshe uselessly revving the engine. Lama scrambled out the passenger door and returned to his house, leaving a couple of discreet students to haul the little car back up onto the road. …
A Special Opportunity
Nicholas Ribush, director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, which published Big Love, wants to let FPMT students know of a special opportunity for receiving the biography. He writes:
“If you receive the LYTWA monthly eletter, you will know that through the kindness of a generous benefactor we are offering 200 copies of Big Love: The Life and Teachings of Lama Yeshe for $35 (plus shipping), which is $50 off the regular price! So far about fifty copies have been bought.
“Not only is this a great opportunity for individual buyers, but FPMT centers should also consider buying several copies for their bookstores and to give away as gifts to benefactors.”
Get to Know Big Love
Adele Hulse, one of Lama Yeshe’s earliest students, wrote Big Love. In telling Lama’s story, she highlights his special connection with early Dharma seekers and skillfully weaves their intimate stories with details of where Lama went, the teachings he gave, and the centers he inspired. It brings to life how special he was and how he connected with people from all over the world and all walks of life. You can read about the creation of the book in the Mandala article, “A Monumental Accomplishment: The Making of Big Love.”
You can also read more from Big Love. We shared the books second chapter, “1941–58: Living a Monastic Life,” as part of Mandala July-December 2019.
Read “What People Are Saying About Big Love” including quotes from Tenzin Osel Hita and Richard Gere!
Learn more about Big Love: The Life and Teachings of Lama Yeshe, and find links to more excerpts and ordering information:
https://www.lamayeshe.com/shop/big-love-life-and-teachings-lama-yeshe
Through timely advice, news stories, and updates, FPMT.org and Mandala Publications share the wisdom culture inspired and guided by the teachings of FPMT founders, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.