David Michie
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Author David Michie
introduces his readers to 'Tibetan Buddhism' through non-fiction
books and thrillers. He explains the basic concepts of the religion in his latest novel "The Dalai Lama’s Cat." The main character is a stranded kitten saved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from an uncertain fate of being sold off to an unknown destination. She becomes a part of his household in Dharamsala and grows into a beautiful Himalayan, worthy of her various names including His Holiness’s Cat (HHC), Rinpoche and Snow Lion.
The Cat describes her daily life in the temple, surrounded by the community in which the everyday 'us-like' characters are all impacted by the wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Much of the book consists of the Cat's observations: of His Holiness, of his followers, of students and of the personages that come and go through the temple doors.
Not only the monks but also the passionate Italian cook and the narcissistic owner of the Café Franc gain insight and change, carefully observed by HHC. She is also witness to the conversations between the Dalai Lama and his, often high profile, visitors. One tends to spend a lot of time figuring out who the various famous visitors are; one of which i conjectured to be my favourite t.v host Ellen Degeneres from "The Ellen Show."
HHC becomes familiar with the Buddhist teachings on mindfulness, meditation, love and compassion. The notions of Buddhism shared in this Novel are not `preachy' - you don't have to be a Buddhist or even religious to find them both interesting and useful in every day life. This book is a good thought-provoking and a mindful read, the kind which one would like one's friend to read or give it as a gift.
books and thrillers. He explains the basic concepts of the religion in his latest novel "The Dalai Lama’s Cat." The main character is a stranded kitten saved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from an uncertain fate of being sold off to an unknown destination. She becomes a part of his household in Dharamsala and grows into a beautiful Himalayan, worthy of her various names including His Holiness’s Cat (HHC), Rinpoche and Snow Lion.
The Cat describes her daily life in the temple, surrounded by the community in which the everyday 'us-like' characters are all impacted by the wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Much of the book consists of the Cat's observations: of His Holiness, of his followers, of students and of the personages that come and go through the temple doors.
Not only the monks but also the passionate Italian cook and the narcissistic owner of the Café Franc gain insight and change, carefully observed by HHC. She is also witness to the conversations between the Dalai Lama and his, often high profile, visitors. One tends to spend a lot of time figuring out who the various famous visitors are; one of which i conjectured to be my favourite t.v host Ellen Degeneres from "The Ellen Show."
HHC becomes familiar with the Buddhist teachings on mindfulness, meditation, love and compassion. The notions of Buddhism shared in this Novel are not `preachy' - you don't have to be a Buddhist or even religious to find them both interesting and useful in every day life. This book is a good thought-provoking and a mindful read, the kind which one would like one's friend to read or give it as a gift.
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