Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Shaping the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West

While this book is a compilation of 12 profiles of women teachers and authors within Tibetan Buddhism in the West, it is not just for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. These 12 women have led fascinating lives by any measurement, and their stories and wisdom will be of interest to anyone interested in female biography, spiritual memoir, Asian culture, or religious history. The author Michaela Haas is a journalist (as well as being a longtime practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism) and does more than tell these women's stories and ask them polite questions about their faith and teachings. She broaches many subjects in her interviews that will resonate for anyone of any faith: What is the relationship between culture, language, and religion? How much/should a tradition adapt when introduced to a new culture? What does it mean to advance women's rights within a spiritual context?Of course if you are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, and particularly if you are yourself a practitioner, this book offers a goldmine of insight. Many key topics are discussed, including the role of lineage, the nature of the teacher/student relationship, rebirth, and how to reconcile Buddhist beliefs with other faiths. The discussions of these topics aren't pedantic - the women profiled share their personal stories and struggles. They also share the biggest challenges of their lives and their spiritual journeys - struggles getting their families to accept their decisions (especially those who took monastic vows), struggles in their marriages and raising children, struggles with grief, illness, and injury. The Tibetan women profiled share the stories of their escapes (or their families) from Tibet upon the Chinese occupation, and the challenges of resettling in the West. All of them speak of how these life experiences shaped their spiritual path, and how their Buddhist practice shaped their response to them.As for the women featured, this book is a treasure trove of female Buddhist teachers. Of course there is Pema Chodron, probably the world's best-selling Buddhist woman author, and several others who are well-known (at least in Buddhist circles) - Tenzin Palmo, Tsultrim Allione, Thubten Chodron, Roshi Joan Halifax (actually a Zen teacher now, but with a Tibetan Buddhist background.) I have read books by and about these women before, but still found many new insights from and about them here. However, I really enjoyed the other profiles - the three Tibetan women included, Jestun Khandro Rinpoche, Dagmola Kusho Sakya, and Khandro Tsering Chodron (profiled movingly posthumously), and other Western-born women who I was not personally as familiar with but who I loved learning from and about - Sangye Khandro, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, Chagdud Khadro, and Karma Lekshe Tsomo. This is truly an amazing group of wise women, and I highly recommend this book!

Unfortunately, traditional Buddhism, like all world religions since the rise of patriarchy, has generally classed women as "not good enough" for the Big Things--whether, as in Catholicism, for the priesthood, or in Hinduism, for studying and teaching the Scriptures, or in Buddhism, for achieving the goal of enlightenment. Women were advised to pray to reincarnate as men, so they could "make it". But Ms. Haas's book shows that things are changing, at least in Tibetan Buddhism. Why not? One of the major teachings of Buddhism is "anicca"--nothing stays the same, everything is always changing. So too the possibilities for women in Buddhism, it seems.Haas narrates here the lives and spiritual paths of twelve contemporary women, most westerners, a few Tibetans. We see women of various levels of cultural sophistication, who have in common the choice (or more chance than choice, for some) to become committed practitioners of various brands of Tibetan Buddhism. Some strike the reader as naive, at least in the beginning, but time and experience lead them to mature in ways not always seen, and in the end one feels genuine respect for these women who, despite home, cultural and religious opposition in most cases, have followed their own hearts and souls into lives obviously meaningful to them, and generally helpful to those around them. Which is more than most of us can claim.Some think these few women who apparently are challenging Buddhism's traditional patriarchal misogyny, are actually just dupes of the Powers That Be (see Bob's negative reviews on this site). I disagree, and add that even if they ARE not all as free and challenging as they appear to be, they are nonetheless making their mark, and contributing to the evolution of Buddhism. For once women APPEAR to have acceptance and power, it will be harder for the establishment to deny women those very qualities and opportunities. So--this is how it is with pioneers, and I am grateful to Haas for spotlighting the early stages of this movement.

If you enjoy well-told stories about women who have embarked upon incredible life adventures, I highly recommend this book. I was initially intrigued by the wildly diverse backstories of the twelve women profiled -- from the young British librarian who sailed to India to meditate in a cave for twelve years to the Malibu surfer who became the head of an international organization of Buddhist women. At a time when so many of us are facing profound challenges and questioning the very essence of our lives, I found this book truly inspiring.While the author clearly has a deep understanding of Buddhism, she writes with gripping style that engaged me throughout. Whether you are a student of Buddhism or, like me, a layperson who is generally interested in philosophy, world religions, sociology and all of the other subjects that offer windows to the human condition, you'll enjoy this read on many levels.I hope this is the first in a series by Michaela Haas!

Just wonderful! An extraordinary, inspiring and well-written book, giving us much needed female role models who are dedicated, practical and humorous. I can't do this book justice, but every chapter has something, for instance, a view of the occurrence of sexual seduction and abuse within the (male) guru/disciple relationship that refuses to allocate blame in preference for taking responsibility for one's own part in the drama; the problem of discrimination against women in Tibetan Buddhism (although one chapter is about a Zen Buddhist). Altogether, the grit and determination and devotion of these women to the dharma is more than impressive, each one on her own distinctive and distinguished path.

There should be no did fence between male or female with regards to the Buddhist path, enlightenment and Buddhahood - but culturally there are enormous obstacles - this book is an inspiration to all of us that follow the path and that everyone should read this book about women practitioners who have overcome enormous issues.

If you are thinking about delving further into Buddhism this is an important read regardless of your gender. It's also very interesting with biographies, teachings and thoughts from various teachers.

A fascinating insight into these courageous and devoted women. An excellent read. Highly recommended. Interesting material and very interesting women.

A truly fascinating and very well writen book! I just hope that Ms Haas might consider bringing out a second volume!