American Buddhist Rebel: Rama, Dr. Frederick Lenz

Winner of the Eric Hoffer and Benjamin Franklin awards, this biography presents the complex, illuminating story of Rama - Dr. Frederick P. Lenz (1950 - 1998), an enlightened teacher who became a best-selling author,  a well-loved albeit controversial beacon of American Buddhism, and an example of triumph over adversity.

"This is definitely a book that changes your perspective on life for the better" --Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Benjamin Franklin Award Review

"This fascinating biography captures the wisdom of a genuine, compelling teacher who combined absolute miracles with humor, fun and adventure." --Lynn V. Andrews, author of The Medicine Woman Series

Rama - Dr. Frederick Lenz was a teacher from an ancient lineage.  He healed people. He filled large auditoriums with effervescent golden light. He made huge audiences shake with laughter as he filled them with luminosity and inner joy.  He helped penniless students become helpful, impeccable entrepreneurs.  Omens of an "unusual, not special life" (Rama's words) began in 1953 when, as a toddler, he slipped into samadhi--a timeless state of immersion in infinite light--in his mother's garden. His journey continued after high school, when he flew from Connecticut to Kathmandu, Nepal with a homemade snowboard, seeking to snow-surf the highest mountains he could find. On his first downhill run, he plowed into an aged Buddhist monk who told the incredulous teen their meeting was destiny, that his past life enlightenment would return, and he would help millions of people.

Upon his return to the U.S., he earned his Ph.D., began to teach on his own, and implemented new, American ways of placing Westerners on the path to enlightenment, beginning with higher and happier states of mind. As his own realization grew, the energy he emanated was like a huge, benevolent force.

This biography includes interviews and one on one stories from over 100 students and colleagues, each with a different perspective. Rama did not just speak about enlightenment; he modeled it. Compassionate, controversial, wise, prescient, reverent, irreverent, he was and is your Zen koan.