American Buddhist Rebel

Winner of the Eric Hoffer and Benjamin Franklin awards, this biography presents the original, illuminating, and surprising story of Rama - Dr. Frederick P. Lenz (1950 - 1998), an enlightened spiritual teacher who became a best-selling author, taught American Buddhism to thousands of people, and launched multiple successful software companies.

"This is definitely a book that changes your perspective on life for the better" --Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Benjamin Franklin Award Review

"This fascinating biography captures the wisdom of a genuine, compelling teacher who combined absolute miracles with humor, fun and adventure." --Lynn V. Andrews, author of The Medicine Woman Series


"Frederick P. Lenz leaps off the pages of this book, showing that magic and enlightenment are available to everyone right here, right now. -Judith-Simmer Brown, Author and Professor of Religious Studies, Naropa University

Rama - Dr. Frederick Lenz healed people. He filled large auditoriums with sparkling golden light. He made huge audiences shake with laughter as he filled them with light. Omens of an "unusual, not special life" (Rama's words) began in 1953 when, as a toddler, he slipped into samadhi--a timeless state of immersion in infinite light--in his mother's garden. His journey continued after high school, when he flew from Connecticut to Kathmandu, Nepal with a homemade snowboard, seeking to snow-surf the highest mountains he could find. On his first downhill run, he plowed into an aged Buddhist monk who told the incredulous teen their meeting was destiny, that his past life enlightenment would return, and he would help millions of people.


Upon his return to the U.S., he earned his Ph.D., began to teach on his own, and implemented new American ways of placing Westerners on the path to enlightenment, beginning with higher and happier states of mind. As his own realization grew, the energy he emanated was like a huge, benevolent force. This biography includes interviews and stories from over 100 students and colleagues, each with a different perspective. Rama did not just speak about enlightenment; he modeled it. Compassionate, controversial, wise, prescient, reverent, irreverent, he is your Zen koan.