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Notebooks of a Wandering Monk
The memoirs of renowned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard and his extraordinary journey toward inner freedom and compassion in action.
Matthieu Ricard began his spiritual transformation at the age of twenty-one, in Darjeeling, India, when he met Tibetan teacher Kangyur Rinpoche, who deeply impressed the young man with his extraordinary quality of being. In Notebooks of a Wandering Monk, Ricard tells the simple yet extraordinary story of his journey and the remarkable men and women who inspired him along the way, including Kangyur Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the fourteenth Dalai Lama, as well as great luminaries such as Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, and a number of leading scientists.
Growing up, Ricard, the son of philosopher Jean-François Revel and artist Yahne Le Toumelin, regularly found himself in the company of intellectuals and artists such as Luis Buñuel, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Igor Stravinsky. Young Ricard loved nature, classical music, and science and dreamed of unlocking the mysteries of molecular biology. But, six years after meeting Kangyur Rinpoche, Ricard gave up a promising career in genetics to pursue a meditative life in the remote Himalayas. While spending half a century in India, Bhutan, and Nepal, he visited Tibet more than twenty times and spent years publishing rare Tibetan texts and photographing his spiritual teachers and the world in which they lived.
Elegantly translated by Jesse Browner and accompanied by more than fifty full-color photographs, some of which are Ricard’s own, Notebooks of a Wandering Monk charts Ricard’s lifelong path to wisdom and compassion. This candid and reflective memoir will inspire all readers, wherever they may be on their own journey to a meaningful and well-lived life.
Matthieu Ricard began his spiritual transformation at the age of twenty-one, in Darjeeling, India, when he met Tibetan teacher Kangyur Rinpoche, who deeply impressed the young man with his extraordinary quality of being. In Notebooks of a Wandering Monk, Ricard tells the simple yet extraordinary story of his journey and the remarkable men and women who inspired him along the way, including Kangyur Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the fourteenth Dalai Lama, as well as great luminaries such as Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, and a number of leading scientists.
Growing up, Ricard, the son of philosopher Jean-François Revel and artist Yahne Le Toumelin, regularly found himself in the company of intellectuals and artists such as Luis Buñuel, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Igor Stravinsky. Young Ricard loved nature, classical music, and science and dreamed of unlocking the mysteries of molecular biology. But, six years after meeting Kangyur Rinpoche, Ricard gave up a promising career in genetics to pursue a meditative life in the remote Himalayas. While spending half a century in India, Bhutan, and Nepal, he visited Tibet more than twenty times and spent years publishing rare Tibetan texts and photographing his spiritual teachers and the world in which they lived.
Elegantly translated by Jesse Browner and accompanied by more than fifty full-color photographs, some of which are Ricard’s own, Notebooks of a Wandering Monk charts Ricard’s lifelong path to wisdom and compassion. This candid and reflective memoir will inspire all readers, wherever they may be on their own journey to a meaningful and well-lived life.
679 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2021
92 people are currently reading
2363 people want to read
About the author
Matthieu Ricard
229 books822 followersMatthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk, trained as a molecular biologist before moving to Nepal to study Buddhism. He is the author of The Monk and the Philosopher (with his father, Jean-François Revel); The Quantum and the Lotus (with Trinh Thuan); Happiness; The Art of Meditation; Altruism: The Power of Compassion; A Plea for the Animals; and Beyond the Self: Conversations between Buddhism and Neuroscience (with Wolf Singer). He has published several books of photography, including Motionless Journey and Tibet: An Inner Journey, and is the French interpreter for the Dalai Lama.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 20, 2024
This is one of those books, where when you start reading it you don’t think you’ll make it to the end .... but when you get to the end, you wish it didn’t have to end.
An intriguing biography with an interesting format -- it focuses not on the man himself, but rather all the people in his life who made him who he is. Quite enjoyable and I learned a lot!
An intriguing biography with an interesting format -- it focuses not on the man himself, but rather all the people in his life who made him who he is. Quite enjoyable and I learned a lot!
September 23, 2025
This is memoir of an extraordinary human being who could have been successful in just about any career he chose, but had the audacious good fortune to meet, become close with and serve some of the most eminent Tibetan Buddhist masters of the 20th century. He also had the courage to live extremely simply and devote himself fully to the path of dharma. His work collecting and publishing Tibetan religious texts has been invaluable to the preservation and promulgation of several lineages.
I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. However, the book would benefit from a good editor since individuals are introduced repeatedly and there are several errors in the English version that may have cropped up during the translation process but which would have been caught by a good editor. For example, on page 501, in telling an annecdote about how Patrul Rinpoche fooled an old lama from Gyarong by having the lama teach a text that Patrul Rinpoche himself authored, it states that the text was The Way of the Bodhisattva, which was in fact written by the Indian saint Shantideva. Matthieu Richard is extremely knowledgeable and clearly would not have made this mistake. On previous pages, in telling the annecdote, the book mentions Words of My Perfect Teacher which Patrul Rinpoche authored so it's possible there was an error in transcription or during the translation process. Another example is on pages 328-329 when it seems that Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche may have been confounded. In addition, there were more typos (misspellings, leaving out words) in this book than is common even these days of paired down editing. I was surprised to see that in a MIT Press book but I suppose that university presses are under a lot of financial pressure to cut corners.
I would love to see this book reissued at some point with corrections and skillful editing. Aside from being fascinating, it records some very important events in the history of Tibetan Buddhism which deserve to be preserved. Bravo to Matthieu Ricard for all he has done in his life - it would be impressive if what he's achieved were performed by 5 people over the course of their lives.
I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. However, the book would benefit from a good editor since individuals are introduced repeatedly and there are several errors in the English version that may have cropped up during the translation process but which would have been caught by a good editor. For example, on page 501, in telling an annecdote about how Patrul Rinpoche fooled an old lama from Gyarong by having the lama teach a text that Patrul Rinpoche himself authored, it states that the text was The Way of the Bodhisattva, which was in fact written by the Indian saint Shantideva. Matthieu Richard is extremely knowledgeable and clearly would not have made this mistake. On previous pages, in telling the annecdote, the book mentions Words of My Perfect Teacher which Patrul Rinpoche authored so it's possible there was an error in transcription or during the translation process. Another example is on pages 328-329 when it seems that Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche may have been confounded. In addition, there were more typos (misspellings, leaving out words) in this book than is common even these days of paired down editing. I was surprised to see that in a MIT Press book but I suppose that university presses are under a lot of financial pressure to cut corners.
I would love to see this book reissued at some point with corrections and skillful editing. Aside from being fascinating, it records some very important events in the history of Tibetan Buddhism which deserve to be preserved. Bravo to Matthieu Ricard for all he has done in his life - it would be impressive if what he's achieved were performed by 5 people over the course of their lives.
October 27, 2023
"Notebooks of a Wandering Monk" is a profoundly moving memoir by Matthieu Ricard, who beautifully narrates his spiritual journey towards achieving inner peace and compassion. The book is a captivating account of Ricard's transformation from a young man interested in molecular biology to a devoted Buddhist monk. His interactions with influential personalities, including his spiritual teachers and luminaries like Desmond Tutu and Jane Goodall, add a rich layer to the narrative. The memoir is not only a spiritual exploration but also a celebration of Tibetan culture, portrayed through Ricard's own photographs and his efforts in publishing rare Tibetan texts. Translated elegantly by Jesse Browner, this book is a source of inspiration for anyone seeking a meaningful life.
February 8, 2024
The fascinating life journey of a French scientist who decided to leave a scientific career behind and devote his life to his Tibetan teacher, Kangyur Rinpoche. After his teacher passes into parinirvana, he spends some time in retreat, then follows Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche for 13 years, whom I consider my own teacher through his printed works, and who instructed the Dalai Lama. There are so many vignettes in here of Ricard's visits to Tibet, and his encounters with these important Buddhist masters. Fascinating and inspiring.
December 28, 2023
This is really a wonderful book. While a 700 page memoir could in the wrong hands be an exercise in self-congratulations, there is no hint of that here, abnd I could not put it down. Rather, it is an extraordinary account of many great masters, the importance of practice, the impact one can make helping others on many levels. I highly recommend this to any Buddhist practitioner and really anyone thoughtful about what a life well-lived looks like.
February 29, 2024
Expansive
Richard's memoir opened up my world and introduced me to an entirely different way , path or philosophy that actually made sense. One must be open when reading this then slowly one begins to understand and apply much to ones way of dealing and looking at life. I recommended it to most of.my friends ,my husband who is fully b engaged in the business world, and a catholic priest. Thank you Ricard"Rinpoche"!
Richard's memoir opened up my world and introduced me to an entirely different way , path or philosophy that actually made sense. One must be open when reading this then slowly one begins to understand and apply much to ones way of dealing and looking at life. I recommended it to most of.my friends ,my husband who is fully b engaged in the business world, and a catholic priest. Thank you Ricard"Rinpoche"!
January 23, 2024
I like Matthieu greatly, and he has great insights. I recommend his works with one caveat. He needs a more disciplined editor. As he says towards the end of this book, "Simplify, simplify, simplify." He could well follow that exhortation by making this book a bit shorter.
May 2, 2024
Después de 762 páginas creo que ya sé todo lo que quería saber, e incluso más, acerca del budismo, su tradición, sus ritos y maestros. Se me ha hecho muy largo, esa es la verdad. Pero, una vez terminado, que me quiten lo bailao.
November 26, 2025
«Doy gracias a Dios por haber creado un Dalai Lama. ¿De verdad creen, como alguien ha dado a entender, que Dios se dice a sí mismo: "Este Dalai Lama está muy bien, qué lástima que no sea cristiano..."? ¡Pero si el propio Dios tampoco es cristiano!», concluyó Tutu.
April 4, 2024
Did not finish at around 160 pages.
It's not a bad book, just not what I'm looking for. I especially liked when he talks about when he learns Buddhist teachings and his experiences from some really amazing teachers. Unfortunately these bits are far and few between lots of genealogies of people Ricard met, who these people know, What other teachers say about these teaches, who they taught, etc. To me the details of places and people took away from the real joy and learning I could have taken from this story.
I may come back to read at another time, but currently more interested in Dhamma discussions and things I can apply in my life now.
It's not a bad book, just not what I'm looking for. I especially liked when he talks about when he learns Buddhist teachings and his experiences from some really amazing teachers. Unfortunately these bits are far and few between lots of genealogies of people Ricard met, who these people know, What other teachers say about these teaches, who they taught, etc. To me the details of places and people took away from the real joy and learning I could have taken from this story.
I may come back to read at another time, but currently more interested in Dhamma discussions and things I can apply in my life now.
July 20, 2023
Ce que Matthieu Ricard a décidé de vivre est impressionnant. Il est tout aussi admirable qu'il l'ait écrit de manière ordonnée et agréable. Indépendamment des nombreux chapitres et pages, le livre est divisé entre les années qu'il a passé à apprendre auprès de ses deux grands maîtres l'un après l'autre, et une deuxième partie où il raconte sa vie plus "publique" après la publication de son premier livre. C'est cette dernière qui constitue le tournant qui nous permet, en tant que lecteurs, de faire connaissance avec son aventure, qui autrement serait peut-être restée méconnue.
C'est aussi un livre dans lequel nous apprenons et découvrons beaucoup de choses sur l'histoire et la géographie du Tibet. Passionnant .
Enfin, c'est un guide pour poursuivre la lecture de ses œuvres toujours profondes et qui donnent à réfléchir.
Lo que Matthieu Ricard ha decidido vivir es impresionante. Es igualmente admirable que lo haya escrito de forma ordenada y amena. Aparte de los numerosos capítulos y páginas, el libro se divide entre los años que pasó aprendiendo de sus dos grandes maestros, uno tras otro, y una segunda parte en la que relata su vida más "pública" tras la publicación de su primer libro. Es esta última parte la que constituye el punto de inflexión que nos permite, como lectores, conocer su aventura, que de otro modo podría haber permanecido desconocida.
También es un libro en el que aprendemos y descubrimos muchas cosas sobre la historia y la geografía del Tíbet. Fascinante.
Por último, es una guía para seguir leyendo sus obras, que siempre son profundas e invitan a la reflexión.
C'est aussi un livre dans lequel nous apprenons et découvrons beaucoup de choses sur l'histoire et la géographie du Tibet. Passionnant .
Enfin, c'est un guide pour poursuivre la lecture de ses œuvres toujours profondes et qui donnent à réfléchir.
Lo que Matthieu Ricard ha decidido vivir es impresionante. Es igualmente admirable que lo haya escrito de forma ordenada y amena. Aparte de los numerosos capítulos y páginas, el libro se divide entre los años que pasó aprendiendo de sus dos grandes maestros, uno tras otro, y una segunda parte en la que relata su vida más "pública" tras la publicación de su primer libro. Es esta última parte la que constituye el punto de inflexión que nos permite, como lectores, conocer su aventura, que de otro modo podría haber permanecido desconocida.
También es un libro en el que aprendemos y descubrimos muchas cosas sobre la historia y la geografía del Tíbet. Fascinante.
Por último, es una guía para seguir leyendo sus obras, que siempre son profundas e invitan a la reflexión.
July 2, 2023
J'ai découvert Matthieu Ricard peu avant d'entreprendre la lecture de ce livre et je ne le regrette pas. C'est une personne humble qui sait communiquer de manière intéressante et captivante une vie loin de notre quotidien. De leçon de vie en leçon de vie il nous donne envie de changer nos vues sur le monde et de se concentrer sur une recherche du bonheur véritable. Ce n'est pas seulement un changement dans ma tête mais aussi dans mon coeur.
May 10, 2022
Personnellement, j'ai du un peu m'accrocher pour les 100 premières pages. Bonne nouvelle, plus on avance, plus la lecture devient agréable et plus on devient admiratif du cheminement spirituel de Matthieu Ricard. Merci, merci, merci.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews