The Dharma King, by B. G. Stroh, is a fast-paced adventure that you won't want to put down. It follows the story of Samuel Falk Simms Jr., the eldest son of a wealthy American family, as he flies to Tibet on a whim and finds himself caught up in the race to find the baby Panchen Lama. A map slipped into his backpack by the monk who sat by him on the plane has him on the run from the Chinese military, led by the ruthless Zhang, who will do whatever it takes to reach the Panchen Lama first. Aided by a woman named Parker and some brave Tibetan monks, Sam comes to terms with himself and determines to save the boy, the hope of Tibetan Buddhism. The journey is both a last effort to save the spirit of Tibetan Buddhists and a spiritual one for Sam as his mind is opened and he sees the hardships these peaceful people face with smiles on their faces. Though the search for the Panchen Lama is concluded and the outcome finalized, Sam's journey continues after the pages end, leaving the reader to imagine what he does.
The novel, in addition to being an exciting read, gives the reader insight into what Tibetan Buddhism is all about. No background knowledge is needed to follow the story line. As Sam goes into it blind and unknowing, so may the reader. The relationship between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, and the meaning of several Buddhist terms, such as 'dharma', are explained clearly by the monks without interrupting the flow of the story.
I give The Dharma King four out of five stars.
Written by Kinkatia.
The Dharma King
Sounds like a very interesting book!!!