"This story of Matteo Pistono''s quest to visit places in Tibet associated with Tert÷n Sogyal, the adept who was a companion of the 13th Dalai Lama, is revealing not only of the Tert÷n''s life, but also of circumstances in contemporary Tibet." -The Dalai Lama "Part spy thriller, part Dharma travelogue, part spiritual autobiography, In the Shadow of the Buddha is one hundred percent page-turner. Matteo Pistono''s tale of journey''s both inner and outer comes packed with adventure and inspiration-a real treat anyone can relish." -Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence "What a fabulous saga! A mystical tale of defending the land of the Buddha Dharma at the turn of the 20th century interwoven with the life and death struggle now going on at the turn of the 21st. This moving account is written beautifully from the heart, and it lifts the heart to read it. It is both unearthly and powerfully real. I recommend it with the strongest enthusiasm." -Robert Thurman, author of Inner Revolution and Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within "Matteo Pistono is the James Bond of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the Shadow of the Buddha is filled with perilous motorcycle rides, secret documents and romantic liaisons. Pistono also manages to find time to meditate and ponder the nature of the Buddha mind. A heroic, compelling tale that will leave you both shaken and stirred." -Eric Weiner, author of The Geography of Bliss: One Grump''s Search for the Happiest Places in the World "Matteo Pistono chose a journey, that inside and outside, would lead him into unfamiliar territory. He followed the path of one of Tibet''s great mystics through the Land of Snows, but what he encountered was a mass of contradictions: the elusive past and the intrusive present, brutality and torture greeted with non-violence and compassion, his own anger against all the abuses and a desire for peace and enlightenment. It is this tension of opposite forces and Matteo''s desire to transcend them that makes this story fascinating." -Peter Gabriel, musician, humanitarian.