Matteo Pistono

Dans ce livre extraordinaire, Matteo Pistono nous fait partager dix ans de pèlerinage au Tibet occupé par les Chinois, sur les traces d’un grand mystique et au service des Droits de l’Homme.

Sous le regard du Bouddha de Matteo Pistono réunit dans une même quête la recherche spirituelle  Read More 

The fire at Larung Gar on January 9th was tragic news, as have been the other fires in eastern Tibet at Kathok, Litang and a few days ago in Gyalthang. The monks and nuns at Larung Gar are as resilient as they come and I'm confident they will bounce back. The anniversary of Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok, the meditation master who founded Larung Gar, falls this year on January 15th. There will be ceremonies in his honor around the world, and in particular at Larung. At the beginning of "In the Shadow of the Buddha," I recall the first time I visited Larung Gar in 1999 and meeting the great master. That section follows below. On this auspicious anniversary, may we recall Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok's kindness and wisdom and pray that all of his aspiration for Tibet and for the world be fulfilled.


Winter 1999, Year of the Earth Hare
Larung Buddhist Encampment, Eastern Tibet

The younger monk with whom I had traveled in the bus to the encampment had space on his kitchen floor for me to sleep. We wound our way through the muddy alleyways of the encampment to his shack. Monks and nuns chanted scriptures behind the doors we passed. Smoke rose from simple tin chimneys in the homes of those who had money to buy yak dung for fuel. A few refugee dogs were curled against the doors of some of the huts, trying to stay warm.  Read More 

Saturday 30th March 2013
13.00 – 16.00 p.m. Auditorium Room, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
English-Thai translation by Lapapan Suppamantra

Book Launching and Public Lecture

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BUDDHA
Secret Journeys, Sacred Histories, and Spiritual Discovery in Tibet

Programme
13.00-13.30 Registration
Refreshments will be available through the meeting.

13.30-13.35 Welcome by Wallapa van Willenswaard, Manager of Suan Nguen Mee social enterprise.

13.35-13.40 Introduction of Matteo Pistono by Hans van Willenswaard, Project Director of School for Wellbeing Studies and Research

Book launching In the Shadow of the Buddha: Secret Journeys, Sacred Histories, and Spiritual Discovery in Tibet in Thai translation

13.40-14.40 Public Lecture IN THE SHADOW OF THE BUDDHA by Matteo Pistono

14.40-15.40 Dialogue with the author moderated by Veenarat Laohapakakul
15.40-16.00 Questions & Answers

For the full  Read More 

The Thai edition of 'In the Shadow of the Buddha' will be released on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the celebration of Arjan Sulak Sivaraksa's 80th birthday. Check out the event page for the full schedule.

Then, on Saturday, March 30, 2013 there will be another book launch and lecture by Matteo Pistono at 13.00 – 16.00 p.m. in the  Read More 

In dienst van de Dalai Lama Voorwoord door Richard Gere (Groot op omslag) Door dit boek krijg je meer waardering geven voor de oude Tibetaanse tradities en begrijp je hoe deze van wezenlijk belang zijn voor de wereld waarin we nu leven, of het nu in je hart, je directe woonomgeving, of in de  Read More 

The Thai translation of "In the Shadow of the Buddha" will be released in Bangkok in late March. I am honored to have Arjan Sulak Sivaraksa's preface for the Thai edition, published by Suan Spirit .

There will be two book events in Bangkok; the first at The Siam Society on March 24, 2013 with Arjan Sulak and the second on March 30. Details for both events will be announced soon. I look forward  Read More 

A deep bow and thanks to Professor Predrag Cicovacki, and Evan and Susan Piercy for hosting me at Holy Cross College. We had a full house in the beautiful Rehm Library and the students in the philosophy department and the Peace and Reconciliation Program asked exceptional questions.

I was also honored to receive a signed copy of Professor Cicovacki's "Albert Schweitzer's Ethical Vision A Sourcebook" and to discuss deeply about Schweitzer's life and philosophy, which were indeed one in the same. Prof. Cicovacki writes "Schweitzer argues that the material aspect of our civilization has become far more important than its spiritual counterpart. Even organized religion has put itself in the service of politics and economy, thereby losing its vitality and moral authority."  Read More 

It was a privilege to present “In the Shadow of the Buddha” at the 2012 Tucson Festival of Books. More than 100,000 people attended the Festival to hear and speak with the 450 authors. What an weekend!

Dinner with Tucson mayor, Jonathan Rothschild and Rodney Glassman was a great start for me at The Author’s Table dinner on the night before the Festival. And it was a treat to be on the ‘Eden Seekers’ panel on Saturday with Brook Wilensky-Lanford, author of "Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden," and Carolyn O'Bagy Davis, author of "The Fourth Wife: Polygamy, Love & Revolution”. Both Brook and Carolyn spoke eloquently about their writing and journeys. On Sunday morning, Sy Montgomery, a naturalist and author of 17 books including The Good Good Pig, and I had a great time sharing our experiences of travel and adventure around the globe. I highly recommend the books by Brook, Carolyn, and Sy! And thanks to everyone who came out to our panels!

Speaking with and attending sessions by Diana Henriques and Luis Urrea  Read More 

FPMT Mandala Magazine Book Review
Editor’s Choice April-June 2012

Author Matteo Pistono skillfully tells the interweaving stories of his spiritual quest, political work and travels to remote areas of Tibet in his book In the Shadow of the Buddha, recently released in paperback. The author’s high-stakes adventures, which take place over the course of a decade, are by themselves riveting. But add to the mix a fascinating profile of an historic Tibetan master and a frank account of human rights abuses and you get a page-turner that has real substance.

In his twenties, Pistono launches into a pilgrimage in Tibet to trace the steps of Terton Sögyal (1856-1926), a highly regarded Buddhist spiritual master who also advised and taught the 13th Dalai Lama. Terton Sögyal’s ability to combine high-level Dharma practice with politics attracts Pistono,  Read More 

Matteo Pistono will participate in the upcoming 2012 Tucson Festival of Books March 9-11th.

On March 9th, Matteo is one of the authors featured at the Festival of Books annual Author’s Table Dinner. Tickets for the event are sold out.

Then, on March 10 and 11, Matteo will take part on two panels:

Saturday, March 10, 2012 4-5:30 pm.
University of Arizona campus, Integrated Learning Center, 150
'Eden Seekers' panel discussion:
Matteo Pistono will join Brook Wilensky-Lanford, author of "Paradise Lust: Searching for the Garden of Eden," and Carolyn O'Bagy Davis, author of "The Fourth Wife: Polygamy, Love & Revolution” for a discussion entitled 'Eden Seekers'. The moderator of the hour-long panel is Rabbi Samuel Cohon of Temple Emanu-El, the oldest congregation in Arizona.

Sunday March 11, 2012 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Traveling Wild — Exploration Adventures;Panel
University of Arizona campus, Chemistry - Room 111:
Matteo Pistono will join Sy Montgomery, a naturalist, author, documentary scriptwriter and radio commentator for a discussion moderated by Laura Penny.

The Tucson Festival of Books brings together authors, publishers  Read More