The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi: British Feminist, Indian Nationalist, Buddhist Nun (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781611804256)

A fascinating biography of Freda Bedi, an English woman who broke all the rules of gender, race, and religious background to become both a revolutionary in the fight for Indian independence and then a Buddhist icon.

She was the first Western woman to become a Tibetan Buddhist nun--but that pioneering ordination was really just one in a life full of revolutionary acts. Freda Bedi (1911-1977) broke the rules of gender, race, and religion--in many cases before it was thought that the rules were ready to be challenged. She was at various times a force in the struggle for Indian independence, spiritual seeker, scholar, professor, journalist, author, social worker, wife, and mother of four children. She counted among her friends, colleagues, and teachers Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Ch gyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and many others. She was a woman of spiritual focus and compassion who was also not without contradictions. Vicki Mackenzie gives a nuanced view of Bedi and of the forces that shaped and motivated this complex and compelling figure.

Author: Vicki MacKenzie
ISBN-10: 1611804256
ISBN-13: 9781611804256
Publisher: Shambhala
Language: English
Published: 03/28/2017
Pages: 208
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.50d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 02/13/2017