Venerable Tenzin's memoir, titled 'Running Toward Mystery' in English, was released in 2020 and introduced to Vietnamese readers this December. At the book launch event on the morning of 8/12 in Hanoi, Tenzin revealed he had wanted to write a memoir since he was 25. He waited until now, having accumulated sufficient experience, to publish it.

The cover of 'Running Toward Mystery', a 340-page book co-published by The Gioi Publishers and Nha Nam. Photo: Nha Nam

The book recounts Tenzin's journey to enlightenment. Born into a prominent Brahmin family in India, Venerable Tenzin frequently experienced strange dreams from the age of six. These dreams featured a mysterious mountain peak and a man in a sunset-colored monastic robe. At ten years old, he ran away from boarding school, embarking on a quest to find the place that often appeared in his dreams.

"My breath stopped, and a shiver ran down my spine. This is the place, the place I had seen countless times", Tenzin described Vulture Peak (Linh Thu), a Buddhist holy site where the Buddha once delivered many discourses.

However, just two weeks later, his family found him and brought him home. Despite their objections, he continued to strive and persuade his parents to allow him to pursue the path of Buddhism. What his family viewed as running away, the author perceived as running towards an irresistible mystery. He received both traditional Buddhist training and a conventional education.

During his spiritual journey, Tenzin not only studied Buddhism but also met teachers from other religions. He was introduced to Mother Teresa, and by observing her work with the poor, he learned about human nature and compassion. The Venerable Master represented Buddhism in a meeting with Pope John Paul II in 1997. Since then, the author has engaged in dialogue with many other religious leaders. The editor noted that the work serves as a connection between religions, suggesting that common ground can be found regardless of the path followed. The Venerable Master stated that during his learning process, he drew lessons: one should maintain curiosity, a love for learning, a desire to understand the world, always have faith, and live without fear.

The book also sheds light on how society perceives "faith". Facing his family's prejudice that "full monastic life is often the choice of those without education, future, or means of livelihood", Tenzin argues that the spiritual path is not a separation from life but rather a foundation for people to contribute to society through compassion, integrity, and wisdom. According to him, religion should not be a path of suffering; it must bring freedom and happiness to people.

The author writes in an accessible language, suitable for a general audience. Siddhartha Mukherjee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, commented: "'Running Toward Mystery' is not just a book; it is an experience, a biography, a recipe for living, and a manifesto for a fresh way of exploring life. Tenzin Priyadarshi writes with extraordinary conviction and grace."

Regarding the book's production, editor Kieu Anh Tu stated that the greatest challenge was fully conveying the author's spirit and tone. Additionally, handling religious terminology was a complex issue. He cited examples like "temple" or "god", which needed flexible translation to suit the context of each religion.

Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Rinpoche. Photo: Nha Nam

Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Rinpoche is a thinker, philosopher, and educator. He teaches globally on topics such as philosophy, science, ethics, traditional Buddhist practices, and socio-political thought. He currently serves as President and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a research institute focusing on interdisciplinary programs and research in human and global ethical development.

Chau Anh