While browsing the bookstore in Denver’s airport, the title
of this book jumped out at me, as I have been studying Buddhism for years. I
picked up the book and read the back cover. A road trip book! Even more fun.
Merullo takes us on a journey from New York to North Dakota
with Otto Ringling and his unlikely companion, Volya Rinpoche, a famous maroon-robed
monk and friend of Otto’s fortune-teller sister, Cecelia. Otto is an editor of
food books, married with two teenagers, who has a pretty nice life. He is traveling
to North Dakota to settle the estate of his parents. Otto takes the scenic
route across the country, stopping each day for some “American fun” so the
Rinpoche can see what it’s like to live here. The places they stop at are real,
like the Hershey Chocolate Factory. There is a big focus on the food they eat,
as Otto is a food editor. Each day they try a different culture’s cuisine,
which I felt was symbolic of the different views of various religions discussed.
Along the way, the Rinpoche teaches Otto about Buddhism, Hinduism,
Christianity, and other beliefs, never really calling himself a Buddhist. The
message is that all religions have the same basic premise – kindness. We see
Otto transforming from angry skeptic to a kinder, gentler Otto as he and the
Rinpoche become friends.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are several LOL moments,
and the characters are real and believable. The story is of family, caring, love,
and awakening. Don’t be scared away by the title.
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