Mystical Verses of a mad Dalai Lama
by Glenn H. Mullin

The 2nd Dalai Lama is one of the most interesting figures in this impressive lineage of scholars, yogis, poets and saints. Glenn Mullin has devoted much of his life to the works and lives of these great men (or are they the same man?) and provides us with a valuable volume here.

The 2nd is called "Mad Dalai Lama" because he is one of those "crazy yogis" whose enlightenment freed them from the bonds of conventionality. This liberation is evident in his poetry, which is translated here. It is wild, fun, irreverent, and yet profound and beautiful and genuine. The translations of the poetry retain this character beautifully, and each is also accompanied by a short commentary (very helpful!).

This is an attractive book, and would make a nice gift, even for people who are not Buddhists or don't know much about Buddhism, since the poems are accessible and interesting, and the book is well written.