Dreams and Truths from the Ocean of Mind

Memoirs of Pema Lodoe, the Sixth Sogan Tulku of Tibet

By: Pema Lodoe

Narrated by: Tara Bast

A Tibetan lama tells his life story, from childhood with nomadic parents to his entrance into a monastic community, participation in Buddhist retreats, recognition as a reincarnated lama, meeting with the present 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, and studying and training in the Dzogchen tradition of Buddhism for service as a teacher to the world—based for the last 10 years in California.

Sogan Rinpoche's account of his life evokes the beauty of the Tibetan land and people and their unique Dharma culture. It also bears witness to the destruction and oppression of Tibetan culture by the communist colonialism of the government of the People's Republic of China, while inspiring us with the survival in extremity of Buddhist ethics and education. He describes his beloved Golok homeland in the northeast Tibetan region of Amdo, now carved up into Chinese provinces.
He vividly evokes the wisdom and kindness of his parents and grandmother, and of his extraordinary teachers who survived harsh treatment in the Chinese gulags. His unflinching description of the harsh cruelty of the Chinese invaders of Tibet forces us to confront the reality of senseless, amoral actions of people driven by delusive convictions and emotions, while his ability to still appreciate the humanness of Tibet's enemies reflects the generous and tolerant Tibetan spirit. Finally, his detailed and sensitive sharing of his remarkable process of inner development allows us to witness how human beings can stretch themselves to encompass truly challenging teachings and practices and emerge with open eyes and open heart, while maintaining humility and positive intentions.

His memoir is aptly titled Dreams and Truths, as the dreamlike quality of his many trials and sorrows as well as moments of joy is apparent from his most youthful encounters with death and suffering. He thus exemplifies for us the Buddhist vision of how realistically to remain in this world as a compassionate positive participant without being of this world as caught up in the desperate and futile struggle to live selfishly and unrealistically focused on one's own little agenda, rather than on the vast need of all one's fellow beings.

The "truths" that he shares are the deep, experiential Buddha teachings, especially the exquisite, expansive wisdom view and compassionate practice and ethic of the Nyingma Dzogchen tradition, in its rigorously nonsectarian form. His adventures show us how one can meet even mundane challenges all the more effectively by actually renouncing selfish concerns.

Without showing off, he honestly and poetically shows us how we can take advantage of darkest adversity and turn it into golden opportunity. In his life and work he honors his noble teachers, including his kindest patron, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

©2019 Pema Lodoe (P)2023 Pema Lodoe

Seeing life through a Tibetan refugee’s eyes

I’ve listened to other survivors of the Chinese occupation of Tibet talk about their experiences in the Chinese reeducation camps/prisons. Being open to learning more I picked up this book.

I found the story in-depth and matching what I’ve already read/heard about life in Tibet before/after the Chinese occupied it and incorporated it into their country. It was good to learn about the trials and tribulations of Pema Lodoe, the Sixth Sogan Tulku of Tibet life through a first hand recounting of their life.

I’ve met Tibetan monks and a Llama. I listened to them speak and watched as they made a large mandala for peace. Which is why I found it interesting while listening to this book because I heard for the first time someone call the Buddha ‘Lord Buddha’. It's interesting to hear it said by a Tibetan and is something to look into in time.