(Book Review)

PASSPORT TO NIRVANA

By Suchitthra Vasu

Passport to Nirvana is a very  enlightening book written by Jocelyn Yuhui, also known as Tsering Dolma.

The author is an established specialist working in the professional field of educating children and families about brain body stimulation to overcome problems in learning.

As an entrepreneur, she is actively developing teaching resources and human capabilities to educate people about the innate power of the mind and how to live with a compassionate heart in order to gain greater fulfillment in worldly life. Her motivation to write this book with such a profound  title was born out of an inspiration that came to her like an image to her mind. Just like Issac Newton cried “ Eureka” one fine morning, so too the contents of “ Passport to Nirvana” flowed from her river of life. This book was Jocelyn’s “ Eureka moment.” 

She wants to help others understand the excellent Vajrayana teaching based on the Sakyapa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She hopes that her knowledge and experience with this school of practice will motivate dharma brothers and sisters to keep on learning and discovering the essence of Buddhadharma. 

Jocelyn believes that it is her teachers who have inspired her to name the book “Passport to Nirvana”.  To her, her teachers’ unconditional love and compassionate delivery of the Buddha’s teachings is her passport to Nirvana. This little book of 88 pages contains pearls of wisdom from H.H.Sakya Trizin and the late Dr Peter Della Santina presented in alphabetical order from A to Z. 

Each chapter, written in crisp polished Queen’s English, is colourfully illustrated with personal examples of Jocelyn’s experiences.  To her, one doesn’t need a visa with Arya Avalokiteshvara; one just needs truth and love in the sanctuary of one's heart. The greatness and power of Arya Avalokiteshvara would often come like a flash of lightning and ferries her across from the dangers and pitfalls of life and exalts her to greater heights.  

Jocelyn’s book is indeed stylistic with a creative approach. It has a beautiful flavour and soft texture in the language used - precise yet gentle and exciting with her personal account of the most unusual experiences. It touches the heart and transforms minds of the readers and urges them to march on to see their light of Nirvana.

To provide an insight on the efforts to turn the wheel of Dharma, the various Sakyapa educational institutions and monastic training establishments in India and around the world are featured in the book. These are being done as part of the unceasing effort of the present lineage holder, His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin who is dedicated to the simultaneous cultivation of the ideals of preserving precious Vajrayana teachings and scholastic tantric training for the sangha. 

To understand the projects being done which are necessary for Dharma propagation in this degenerative time, Jocelyn has illustrated the training and development of essential areas of learning for lay practitioners and sangha academic disciplines and where these learning opportunities are located. The International Buddhist Academy, Nepal, founded by the renowned Venerable Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, for example, offers unique courses conducted by Buddhist scholars and sangha members.  

Jocelyn has been a dharma practitioner of the three schools of Buddha’s teachings namely the Theravada ,Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings. In her opinion, it is not only the number of years in learning the Dharma that matters, but the serious practice of her teachers that has encouraged her to write this book for everyone, young or old, who are searching for guidance on the Mahayana path. Read on, absorb and assimilate and gently realise the glorious potential of walking through the path of enlightenment.

Note:

Jocelyn has printed 2000 books in year 2006 for free distribution to benefit students in various Buddhist societies of the polytechnics and universities. Buddhist organizations which are interested to have a copy for your library can request for it via globaldharma81@yahoo.com. As copies are limited, you can also support reprint of this book. Please submit your name and contact number via the above email address to Jocelyn’s attention.