Matteo Pistono

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 

Fearless in Tibet: The Life of the Mystic Tertön Sogyal will be published in late May 2014.

Tertön Sogyal was a 19th century visionary saint whose mastery of meditation led him to become the revered teacher to the 13th Dalai Lama. Known for his deep spiritual insights and service to the nation of Tibet, Tertön Sogyal’s ability to harness the power of the mind was born of his own profound understanding of the Buddha’s teachings while engaging in the world. Tertön Sogyal’s life of striving for perfection against  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 

I am so pleased to have a small part of this photographic exhibit! I'm happy some of the photos have found a home! mp

Witte de With is excited to unfurl her 2013 program with Tulkus 1880 to 2018, a mastodontic artwork and work in progress by Paola Pivi, based on an extensive international research.

Aimed at creating a complete collection of portraits and basic information on all the tulkus of the world – who in Tibetan Buddhism are the recognized reincarnations of previous Buddhist masters* – from the beginning of photography until today, from all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon, and from all the areas of the world where this religion is practiced, this growing survey has until now collected over 1100 photographic portraits.

Manifesting in a stunning array of forms, from high production color prints to  Read More 

In a D.C. writers room, scribes find motivation
Washington Post
By Emily Wax December 25, 2012

Charles McCain groans in his cubicle, hunched over a large frayed chart that maps out the family tree of the protagonist in his upcoming novel about a royal naval officer in World War II. The 57-year-old writer is working in Suite 510, inside a drab 1958 Northwest Washington office building that looks like there might be a detective agency inside and a cigar stand in the lobby.

Next to him is Donna Lewis — a Department of Homeland Security lawyer by day whose comic strip “Reply All” runs around the country and in The Washington Post. Lewis, 50, tugs at her furry scarf as she works on a novel about life interrupting love. At the next workstation, nonfiction writer-activist Matteo Pistono, 42, reads over his research for an upcoming biography on a Tibetan Buddhist leader.

These nonfiction writers, novelists, editors and  Read More 

I'm happy to be taking part in an exciting new initiative from TableTribes that is bringing together thought leaders, chefs and mixologists in a collaborative series of stylish picnics. Every Sunday evening from June 24 through August 26, representatives on the forefront of their fields will share their unique insights to a different topic about the collective human experience. I've been asked to lead the discussion on 'Personal Space' on Sunday, August 5th. Check out www.tabletribes.com for more information.

Hosan Lee, Founder and CEO of TableTribes, wanted to build on the ideas of food and community she was exploring through her highly publicized  Read More 

Last month, Radio West's host Bill Allred traveled through the Himalayas. He was profoundly affected by the peace-loving people he encountered there and by their stories of the destruction of the Buddhist way of life by the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He wondered: how is it possible for pacifists to stop the assimilation of  Read More