1960s Quote by Tenzin Palmo
“I was born in England and brought up in London. When I was 18 I read a book and came across the Dharma. I was halfway through the book when I turned to my mother and said, "I'm a Buddhist," to which she replied, "Oh are you dear? Well finish the book and then you can tell me about it." I realised I'd always been Buddhist but I just hadn't known it existed, because in those days not even the word 'Buddha' was ever spoken. This was in in the 1960s, so there wasn't that much available, even in London.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: Autobiography of a Buddhist Monk, 2005
The author discovers her Buddhist identity through reading and family reaction, illustrating how cultural exposure can awaken latent spiritual awareness.
In simple terms: She realized she was Buddhist after reading about it.
Explore spiritual traditions early.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- religious study
- family dialogue
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does family influence spiritual discovery?
- What resources help uncover hidden identities?
Family may resist or misunderstand new beliefs.