The Confessions of a budhist monk - Ani Choying Drolma

The lotus is born in the mud, but it’s flower always remains white and clean - Ani Choying Drloma

How I discovered it

I was gifted this book in 2017 and got curious about it in 2023. Even if I am a big reader I would still judget a book by it’s cover. When I decided toread this book I expected it to be about a monks’ life, meditation, inner pece - You get the idea. And to my surprise it was not what I expected, which I am glad for.

Who should read it ?

Biographies lovers would be the first category of people who should read this book. But if anyone has faced family challenges as a kid, this book is a medicine for the wounded kid’s soul.

Summary and impact on me

Ani starts by telling the story of her childhood. She was born in Nepal in a poor family. Her mother was in charge of taking care of the house and the kids, while the father provided for the family. In those more traditional time, the marriages were arramnged and often there wasn’t love between the parents of the kids. Her father was someone covered in anger and always let it out through phisical violence over her and her mother. At the agen of 13 she joinet Nagi Gompa, a Buddhist nunnery.

There was was taought the budhist lessons and how to apply them in her day to day life. She continued to visit her parents ocasionally, but her father’s violence was getting out of hand. Sleepless nights fulfilled with worries and fear that the unfortunate might happen at home, but she managed to overcome this through love, guided by her master. She made her way up, through hard work and travelled the world by singing Budhist mantras. People from all over the place gathered to her performing. With all the money she made, she opened her own school, where the magic of life happens. Through her foundation, kids which were not lucky in life are being given another chance, where they are loved, nurtured and guided in life. She provides education for everyone who cannot afford and continues to encourage everyone to follow the compassion steps.

How the book changed me

This book has revealed parts of my hear which I never knew they existed. I believed this is the hardest book review I’ve written, as my eyes were watering from the beginning until the end. As someone that grew up with diverced parents, and never had a male figure in my life, I was able to relate to a lot of her pain.

What has impressed me the most is the purity of her heart. Even if her father was violent towards her and her mother, even leaving a scar on her hear. She was able to look at him as someone that needed more help than her, as someone that was downing in his own anger and unhapiness. She is able to recall beautiful memories even in the worse moments.

Conclusion

This book should be at the top biographies. It is motivational, peaceful, but it also has the burtality of life. Ani has written with her soul and the book is a must read!