The Mahāsiddha And His Idiot Servant

by John Riley Perks

John Perks was Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's butler, attendant, and personal secretary for seven years. This is a book about their personal relationship--a book Trungpa Rinpoche asked the author to write. ________ Quotes about the "Ven. Seonaidh Perks played a crucial role in the creation of many of the Vidyadhara's institutions and his story of their mutual dance is hilarious, wild, shocking, and poignant. This book is a rare thing." Douglas Penick, author of "Gesar of Ling," Wisdom Publications. "It is the first intimate and authoritative account of Chogyam Trungpa, arguably the most important spiritual teacher in America's last century..." Kidder Smith, Professor of Asian Studies, Bowdoin College

Genres: Memoir, Buddhism

229 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange book, not easily grasped.

One wishes for the services of an editor and a proofreader. So many Nova Scotia details were wrong one wonders about accuracy in other domains.

Not sure that Major Perks has enough perspective to write his own life story. This book does provide another glimpse of the enigma— the endlessly fascinating endlessly frustrating Trungpa.

[Dennis Stilwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

To get a true picture of a great spiritual teacher one needs to read many accounts of both his life and his teaching. Some of those will be more academic and some will be more personal. This one is the latter, bringing one into the daily intimate circumstance of Chogyam Trunpa. For those familiar with the "crazy wisdom" tradition, this is a delightful and very informative book. For those not so familiar with it, well, you could be shocked. That it was not published by Shambhala might indicate their uneasiness with some of the stories John Perks tells, but such details can add to the comprehension of the Buddhist wisdom, if one is willing to be open and really consider the the relationship between spirituality and real life (aren't they the same?). I enjoyed it. You might too.

[Dia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche sometimes licked a sharp sword blade and, tongue unscathed, explained to his students that “You do it and you don’t do it.” Trungpa’s student and secretary Major John Perks did pushups, handstands, and cartwheels on this sharp sword blade, and, while he clearly developed some serious dharmic muscle, flexibility, and endurance, he did not come away unscathed. Here he offers his unprotected heart-story, completely outrageous and drenched in pain (but no self-pity) to the reader, who must proceed at his or her own risk.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic courageous and detailed revelation of the process of purifying ego and emotional clinging in the presence of a crazy wisdom spiritual master.

[Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

can't find this anywhere for a reasonable price...

[James Drinnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a bizarre and memorable book about a bizarre and memorable relationship