Lama Surya Das
Lama Surya Das
Full Name and Common Aliases
Lama Surya Das is a Tibetan Buddhist lama who was born in London, England, as Rodney Smith.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: 1953 (exact date not publicly disclosed)
Note: As of this writing, Lama Surya Das is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: British-American
Profession: Buddhist teacher, author, poet, and translator
Early Life and Background
Lama Surya Das was born in London to a family with Indian ancestry. His parents encouraged his spiritual pursuits from an early age, which led him to explore various Eastern philosophies and practices.
At 15, he started studying Buddhism under the guidance of Tibetan lamas in India. He eventually moved to Nepal and received monastic ordination as a novice monk. In 1975, he took full monastic vows and became a fully ordained Buddhist monk.
Major Accomplishments
As a renowned Buddhist teacher and scholar, Lama Surya Das has made significant contributions to the field of Buddhism in the Western world.
He is one of the few non-Tibetans to be appointed as a lama by the Dalai Lama.
He has led numerous meditation retreats and workshops worldwide.
His books have been translated into over 25 languages, introducing Buddhist principles to a global audience.Notable Works or Actions
Lama Surya Das is an accomplished author who has written extensively on Buddhism and spirituality. Some of his notable works include:
"Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World" (1997)
* "The Little Book of Awakening: A Daily Sourcebook for Spiritual Living" (2013)
Impact and Legacy
Lama Surya Das has played a pivotal role in popularizing Buddhism among Westerners. His teachings emphasize the importance of integrating spiritual practices into daily life.
His approach, often described as "Dzogchen," focuses on direct realization and the attainment of inner peace through the cultivation of awareness and compassion.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Lama Surya Das is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful teachings on mindfulness, meditation, and the path to enlightenment.
Quotes by Lama Surya Das
It almost seems as though this roiling world is conspiring to test our patience at every turn. In fact, it is. With this in mind, we would be wise to look on our imperfect environment as a teacher rather than an antagonist. It constantly shows us that we need to be patient on an ongoing basis, not just every now and then, if we´re going to realize true inner peace, happiness, and fulfillment.
Other people can’t cause us to be impatient unless we let them do so. In other words, others don’t make us impatient. We make ourselves impatient, through our expectations and demands, fixated attachments and stuckness.
When we ground ourselves in the present moment, we spontaneously connect better with others. We become more responsive and less reactive, listening more deeply and speaking with greater clarity.
No one knows everything. No one knows nothing. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle.
It is not the outer objects that entangle us. It is the inner clinging that entangles us." - Tilopa
To just be--to be--amidst all doings, achievings, and becomings. This is the natural state of mind, or original, most fundamental state of being. This is unadulterated Buddha-nature. This is like finding our balance.
We are so identified with who we think we are that it limits how we can be, determines how we live, and conditions how we react. As Mark Twain said, "It's not what we don't know that gets us in trouble, but what we are sure we know.