This is the story of a young boy, born in Tibet to inherit the role of Buddhist lineage holder, whose life was interrupted by the Chinese army invasion and the ensuing Cultural Revolution. Two decades later, he walked out of Tibet and started on his journey of fully taking on leadership of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Since then the teachings of this lineage have flourished and are practiced all around the world—after nearly being lost.

 “Gruber skillfully narrates this story of survival and triumph over tragedy without embellishment or sensationalism.”—Buddhadharma

“Chetsang Rinpoche is one of the highest incarnate lamas, the head of a tradition. But he also experienced the life of an ordinary American. This is unlike any other biography—one sees how a neighborhood boy can become a great spiritual master.”—Gelek Rimpoche, author of Good Life, Good Death

“This is a fascinating, terrifying, moving, and exalting account of a truly great being’s success in rising above adversity and making an outstanding contribution to a part of humanity under extreme pressure. I warmly recommend it to anyone who might like to discover a magnificent chest of treasures.”—Professor Robert Thurman, author, with the Dalai Lama, of Infinite Life

“This life story of an extraordinary Buddhist spiritual teacher and intellectual is thoroughly fascinating. This is a must-read for Buddhist scholars and practitioners.”—E. Gene Smith, co-founder of the Tibetan Buddhist Center