(Pic above: Lobsang Rampa together with one of his Siamese cats, a polished stone ball, and Tibetan prayer wheel) Last week I received an email from a TV producer wanting to know if I’d be willing to share what I know about Lobsang Rampa. Ah, that name again! It’s curious how, more than forty years after he died, he is still remembered.
I too read all of Lobsang Rampa's books in the very early 1970's....and have wondered often who he may have been. I still have all 14 of his books, as they were once very "precious" ...they have survived many house moves, one house fire and re-location to Australia from the U.K.
I too have come to learn that their contents bear no resemblance to the Dharma and the "real" teachings - but without them I would never have held a lifelong interest in Tibetan Buddhism - which was only able to blossom quite recently - over forty years since I first read Lobsang's books.
I view Lobsang Rampa with gratitude and view him as my very first "dharma teacher" .....despite his books being somewhat wide of the mark.
Thank you David, for reminding me ....and... for what it is worth ...I feel he really was instrumental in sparking interest in Tibetan Buddhism and thus helped it to spread around the world and that really IS a gift to us all, I think.
Dear Friend, as I was reading your article about Lobsang Rampa I was struck by the the 3 speculations as to what he might have been. It wafted into my thoughts perhaps, he was all 3. Part charlatan, part mentally challenged, and part enlightened being. His gift was obviously to help people become aware of their way internal thinking and external being. As you concluded.
I have read many and own most of your books, one of the most important lessons I have taken from them is openness. Open heart, mind, and spirit. Thank you
I too discovered Lobsang Rampa in the 70's as a teenager and was drawn into the judgementalism,after the reports in newspapers I forgot all about floating out me body one day and experiencing universal love-I was it and it was me-that was due to his teachings.The world came crashing back in and I partied at every opportunity.It wasn't till I reached my 40's that I stopped and began to look at the mess I'd made of it all.I'm 68 now and a lot more settled in life.I find Buddhist terminologies hard going,so I tend to read the more easier and simple stuff that hints at things greater than ourselves and causes me to sink into it all.Lobsang Rampa was my way in to all that despite his faults and its amazing how many stunning writers have these sort of failings,Jean Vanier who started Larche comes to mind.I'd been to many of his talks and have all his books and yet as soon as he dies stories come out about his immoralities, I'm not as judgmental as I use to be so can leave his failings in the higher powers he believed in-who am I to judge?Lifes a lot easier when you know all about ones own failings and as mine starts to slowly-hopefully-draw to its ending I look forwards to the adventures and new beginnings to come.
I read some of Lobsang Rampa's books in the 1980s after I learnt something about Tibetan Buddhism from a yoga/meditation teacher and was curious to see what Rampa had written. The books seemed incredible to me then.
Yes, I think the 80s was when we, in the West, were starting to get our hands on translations of some of the main Tibetan Buddhist texts, Wendy. Exciting times!
Thank you for another interesting post. I especially liked the part about "reserving judgment" in your exposé on Lobsang Rampa. I loved the pictures of the nunnery and look forward to the audio version of "The Claw of Attraction".
Dear David, I too met Lobsang Rampa the60s and read The Third Eye with bated breath knowing that I wouid never encounter those spiritual wonders in Perth WA. It was the beginning of a very long journey of hope and longing for many of us and for that I thank him
David, Thank you for the links to prior articles. They're probably somewhere on my computer but it's nice to have them all in one place.
And that dividing line between taking at face value and being too judgmental is tricky. In choosing a teacher we need to navigate that one, and if we don't the experience is something like mine, where I fell under the spell of a charlatan who was molesting underage girls (to be clear, I was not one of them).
Not there anymore, but these days I do look with a jaundiced eye on proponents of "crazy wisdom" and the like. Some are undoubtedly wise but that particular path is not useful for me. I can't pretend to have read everything HHDL has said / written, but I doubt he's ever used that term & that's good enough for me.
& I don't consider the years spent in the abusive cult "wasted." Even scoundrels can be conduits for grace. It provided a framework within which I pretty much did my own thing & explored many good & even great non-culty teachers. Finally the framework wasn't useful any more & it dropped away.
Really fascinating, Pat. I have always been interested in cults and how/why they exist. I am so glad you have grown from your own experience. And I agree that 'crazy wisdom' proponents should send the alert lights flashing!
I was going to suggest you do a post on "how to choose a teacher" but I'm not sure the usual guidelines would've saved me & others from cults. Some of those "teachers" were a mixture - like Lobsang Rampa - of charismatic charlatan, seriously flawed human, and fount of scriptural wisdom. People who get mixed up in cults are largely (IMO) at low points in their lives & frantically grab on to what look like saviors.
Lobsang Rampa was my introduction to Tibetan culture and religion. 50 years later, after a life time immersion in the Tibetan and Bon path, I am thankful to him. Far fetched as much of the stories were, he somehow transmitted an essence that carried a primal reality, that lit a spark for so many.
You might find my new book, Deep Into the Fire interesting. Norbu, the main character is a reincarnated lama who is also an international agent.
It is on Audible, Amazon and your local bookstore from Ingram. Thank you for these posts.
My Dad introduced me to Lobsang Rampa when the books were first published and I have to acknowledge the early curiosity they engendered and which subsequently turned into interest enough in Buddhism to study it more. So I have a gift of thanks to the man and it doesn't really matter to me what he was. As Cara says, 'Open heart, mind and spirit.'
All those who consider Lobsang Rampa a fake, a charlatan etc. should get their own faulty brains checked. Lobsang Rampa was a true saint and only those few who took his teachings seriously and followed these along with yogic practices know the truth.
I live in Sikkim, and we have adopted many Tibetan practices in food, spiritually, traditional etc. Lobzang Rampa gives accurate description of these practises and the other occult claims ge makes is a part of Tantric Buddhism which was very prominent at the time, in many sects of Hinduism we still find the prominence of these practices. So to call him a fraud and dismiss him would be utter stupidity. He is a mystery that will be hopefully solved someday
I too read all of Lobsang Rampa's books in the very early 1970's....and have wondered often who he may have been. I still have all 14 of his books, as they were once very "precious" ...they have survived many house moves, one house fire and re-location to Australia from the U.K.
I too have come to learn that their contents bear no resemblance to the Dharma and the "real" teachings - but without them I would never have held a lifelong interest in Tibetan Buddhism - which was only able to blossom quite recently - over forty years since I first read Lobsang's books.
I view Lobsang Rampa with gratitude and view him as my very first "dharma teacher" .....despite his books being somewhat wide of the mark.
Thank you David, for reminding me ....and... for what it is worth ...I feel he really was instrumental in sparking interest in Tibetan Buddhism and thus helped it to spread around the world and that really IS a gift to us all, I think.
'Somewhat wide of the mark' - love it, Kate! A very generous response and I agree with your feeling of gratitude.
Dear Friend, as I was reading your article about Lobsang Rampa I was struck by the the 3 speculations as to what he might have been. It wafted into my thoughts perhaps, he was all 3. Part charlatan, part mentally challenged, and part enlightened being. His gift was obviously to help people become aware of their way internal thinking and external being. As you concluded.
I have read many and own most of your books, one of the most important lessons I have taken from them is openness. Open heart, mind, and spirit. Thank you
Beautifully stated. 💜
My heartfelt thanks for your generous response and open heart, mind and spirit, Cara!
I too discovered Lobsang Rampa in the 70's as a teenager and was drawn into the judgementalism,after the reports in newspapers I forgot all about floating out me body one day and experiencing universal love-I was it and it was me-that was due to his teachings.The world came crashing back in and I partied at every opportunity.It wasn't till I reached my 40's that I stopped and began to look at the mess I'd made of it all.I'm 68 now and a lot more settled in life.I find Buddhist terminologies hard going,so I tend to read the more easier and simple stuff that hints at things greater than ourselves and causes me to sink into it all.Lobsang Rampa was my way in to all that despite his faults and its amazing how many stunning writers have these sort of failings,Jean Vanier who started Larche comes to mind.I'd been to many of his talks and have all his books and yet as soon as he dies stories come out about his immoralities, I'm not as judgmental as I use to be so can leave his failings in the higher powers he believed in-who am I to judge?Lifes a lot easier when you know all about ones own failings and as mine starts to slowly-hopefully-draw to its ending I look forwards to the adventures and new beginnings to come.
Thank you so much, taxineil. I feel you speak for so many of us!
I meant to write " so can leave his failings in the hands of the higher powers he believed in"
“One day, I shall become--but until then, I am and am not. KSK*”
Perfection, such a slippery eel~💜
Indeed - thank you for this, Katherine!
Thank you so much for your commentary.
Delightfil.
Glad that you found it so, thank you Susanna!
I read some of Lobsang Rampa's books in the 1980s after I learnt something about Tibetan Buddhism from a yoga/meditation teacher and was curious to see what Rampa had written. The books seemed incredible to me then.
Yes, I think the 80s was when we, in the West, were starting to get our hands on translations of some of the main Tibetan Buddhist texts, Wendy. Exciting times!
How intriguing! I'm so grateful for his life and work, though this is my first introduction to his life and work. I enjoy the mystery.
Thank you.
Many thanks indeed, Penelope!
This was such a memory jogger and had not heard about who he may really have been . And certainly a past and closed book so to speak xxx
Many thanks Eebs. I think in Zim our minds were focused on other things at the time that the tabloids were chasing after him.
Thank you for another interesting post. I especially liked the part about "reserving judgment" in your exposé on Lobsang Rampa. I loved the pictures of the nunnery and look forward to the audio version of "The Claw of Attraction".
Thank you so much Kathy! I go in to do some pick-ups in a week and then the book is due to come out in audio on 1 Feb!
Dear David, I too met Lobsang Rampa the60s and read The Third Eye with bated breath knowing that I wouid never encounter those spiritual wonders in Perth WA. It was the beginning of a very long journey of hope and longing for many of us and for that I thank him
Thanks so much, Pamela. So amusing to hear you talk about spiritual wonders never happening in your own backyard. I felt just the same!
David, Thank you for the links to prior articles. They're probably somewhere on my computer but it's nice to have them all in one place.
And that dividing line between taking at face value and being too judgmental is tricky. In choosing a teacher we need to navigate that one, and if we don't the experience is something like mine, where I fell under the spell of a charlatan who was molesting underage girls (to be clear, I was not one of them).
Not there anymore, but these days I do look with a jaundiced eye on proponents of "crazy wisdom" and the like. Some are undoubtedly wise but that particular path is not useful for me. I can't pretend to have read everything HHDL has said / written, but I doubt he's ever used that term & that's good enough for me.
& I don't consider the years spent in the abusive cult "wasted." Even scoundrels can be conduits for grace. It provided a framework within which I pretty much did my own thing & explored many good & even great non-culty teachers. Finally the framework wasn't useful any more & it dropped away.
Really fascinating, Pat. I have always been interested in cults and how/why they exist. I am so glad you have grown from your own experience. And I agree that 'crazy wisdom' proponents should send the alert lights flashing!
I was going to suggest you do a post on "how to choose a teacher" but I'm not sure the usual guidelines would've saved me & others from cults. Some of those "teachers" were a mixture - like Lobsang Rampa - of charismatic charlatan, seriously flawed human, and fount of scriptural wisdom. People who get mixed up in cults are largely (IMO) at low points in their lives & frantically grab on to what look like saviors.
Lobsang Rampa was my introduction to Tibetan culture and religion. 50 years later, after a life time immersion in the Tibetan and Bon path, I am thankful to him. Far fetched as much of the stories were, he somehow transmitted an essence that carried a primal reality, that lit a spark for so many.
You might find my new book, Deep Into the Fire interesting. Norbu, the main character is a reincarnated lama who is also an international agent.
It is on Audible, Amazon and your local bookstore from Ingram. Thank you for these posts.
Peter Fairfield
Many thanks for your message, Peter, and all the very best with your new book!
"Better, by far, to reserve judgement and say nothing." xoxo 🙏🏽
My Dad introduced me to Lobsang Rampa when the books were first published and I have to acknowledge the early curiosity they engendered and which subsequently turned into interest enough in Buddhism to study it more. So I have a gift of thanks to the man and it doesn't really matter to me what he was. As Cara says, 'Open heart, mind and spirit.'
Many thanks Prue.
All those who consider Lobsang Rampa a fake, a charlatan etc. should get their own faulty brains checked. Lobsang Rampa was a true saint and only those few who took his teachings seriously and followed these along with yogic practices know the truth.
I live in Sikkim, and we have adopted many Tibetan practices in food, spiritually, traditional etc. Lobzang Rampa gives accurate description of these practises and the other occult claims ge makes is a part of Tantric Buddhism which was very prominent at the time, in many sects of Hinduism we still find the prominence of these practices. So to call him a fraud and dismiss him would be utter stupidity. He is a mystery that will be hopefully solved someday