Synopses & Reviews
While accompanying eight high–spirited Jewish delegates to Dharamsala, India, for a historic Buddhist–Jewish dialogue with the Dalai Lama, poet Rodger Kamenetz comes to understand the convergence of Buddhist and Jewish thought. Along the way he encounters Ram Dass and Richard Gere, and dialogues with leading rabbis and Jewish thinkers, including Zalman Schacter, Yitz and Blue Greenberg, and a host of religious and disaffected Jews and Jewish Buddhists.
This amazing journey through Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism leads Kamenetz to a renewed appreciation of his living Jewish roots.
Review
“A book for anyone who feels the narrowness of a wholly secular life ….” New York Times Book Review
Review
“A highly entertaining personal account of one mans surprising journey into the mystical heart of Judaism.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Its fascinating to see what is good and true and real in terms of different religious sensibilities.” E. L. Doctorow
Review
“A profound discussion of religion, exile, and survival in our time.” Andrei Codrescu, poet and NPR commentator
Review
“A feast of truth sharing, self-examination of lineage, humor, and good will.” Ram Dass
Synopsis
In The Jew in the Lotus, poet Roger Kamenetz uncovers the unlikely convergence of two of the world's ancient religions.
While accompanying eight Jewish delegates to Dharamsala, India, for a historic Buddhist-Jewish dialogue with the Dalai Lama, poet Rodger Kamenetz comes to understand the ways in which Jewish and Buddhist thought converge. Along the way, he speaks with leading rabbis and Jewish thinkers, including Zalman Schacter, Yitz and Blue Greenberg, a host of religious and disaffected Jews and Jewish Buddhists, and even Ram Dass and Richard Gere. This amazing journey through Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism leads Kamenetz to a renewed appreciation of his living Jewish roots.
Rodger Kamenetz is a poet and the author of the National Jewish Book Award winner Stalking Elijah. He is a professor of English and Religious studies at Louisiana State University. He currently lives in New Orleans with his wife.
"A book for anyone who feels the narrowness of a wholly secular life or who wonders about the fate of esoteric spiritual traditions in a world that seems bent on destroying or vulgarizing them. It is a narrative about an extraordinary moment in history, of course, but it is also the chronicle of Rodger Kamenetz's discovery of ... a more nourishing Judaism."
- New York Times Book Review
About the Author
Roger Kamenetz wrote the landmark international bestseller, The Jew in the Lotus, and the winner of the National Jewish Book Award, Stalking Eljah. He is a Louisiana State University Distinguished Professor of English and Religious Studies and a certified dream therapist. He lives in New Orleans with his wife, fiction writer Moira Crone.