Some figures shape history from the shadows, influencing world events without ever seeking the spotlight. Bhanté Dharmawara was one such person—a Cambodian Buddhist monk, healer, and quiet diplomat whose wisdom and guidance touched the lives of global leaders, from the Dalai Lama to Nehru to Indira Gandhi.
Though he lived to be 110, Bhanté remained a mystery to many, choosing to share his insights quietly and impactfully rather than seeking recognition. Now, for the first time, his incredible story and teachings are being shared—revealing the depth of his influence and the timeless wisdom he left behind.
“Bhanté Dharmawara, Cambodian Monk Extraordinaire” is not only a biography. Professor Stanley Kripner, PhD notes, “Dr. Russell Jaffe has presented Bhanté’s life and times in a vivid, engrossing style that illuminates the monk’s teachings on his own life and — more importantly — the way in which they can impact the lives of its readers, leaving them wiser, happier, and deeply appreciative for each day of their own existence.”
What This Book Reveals
The book is separated into 2 parts with the first offering a glimpse into Bhanté’s remarkable life, and the second focusing on Bhante’s legacy – the wisdom Dr. Jaffe and others gleaned from being in his presence:
PART 1: Bhanté — His Extraordinary Life
Chapter 1: The Monk Moves In: The book starts out by providing a riveting introduction to the mysterious monk who appeared on Dr. Jaffe’s doorstep one day in the 1970s and proceeded to move in.
Chapter 2: Insight Meditation Retreat: This chapter takes the reader along to a typical Insight Vipassana retreat that Bhanté led in the 1970s and 1980s.
Chapter 3: His Words: The bulk of this chapter is taken from a speech that Bhanté gave at his 100th birthday celebration, that was transcribed by the Claymont Society.
Chapter 4: Gifts: In this short chapter, the author returns us to the narrative of the monk in the spare bedroom, and provides more historical content and context, including Bhanté’s presiding over the marriage of Dr. Jaffe.
Chapter 5: King Sihanouck and the Bandung Conference: This chapter dives deeper into Bhanté’s life before meeting Dr. Jaffe, and how he advised global leaders in service of promoting world unity and peace.
Chapter 6: Silence: In this chapter, the author reflects that many of the greatest lessons Bhanté taught were communicated through silence.
Chapters 7 & 8: “The Emperor, The Monk, and the Return of Buddhism” and “Engaged Buddhism”: Here, we learn about Bhanté’s role in the return of Buddhism to India in the mid- to late 1950s
Chapter 9: Kidnap: This chapter is filled with intrigue and excitement as Bhanté is kidnapped, and Dr. Jaffe happens to be speaking at a conference nearby… and the universe conspired to bring them together to orchestrate a narrow escape!
Chapter 10: Land of 10,000 Buddhas: In another exciting adventure, when Bhanté visited and healed an ailing old friend at a Buddhist Retreat center, Dr. Jaffe and he discovered and uncovered an international narcotics ring operating on the property!
PART 2: Bhanté’s Legacy
Chapter 11: Color Healing System: The color healing system was one of the gifts from Bhanté, and this chapter focuses primarily on green light therapy and how it can be used to rebuild and restore balance to the body.
Chapter 12: Walking Bhanté’s Path: This chapter consolidates some of the main teachings imparted by Bhanté Dharmawara, and how you, too, can walk this path.
Chapter 13: What I Learned from Bhanté: In this chapter, Dr. Jaffe talks about how his time with Bhante influenced his entire philosophy, where healthful caring for the whole patient, including what they eat, drink, think, and do, will have better results for lifetime wellness, than our current system of symptom-related “sick care.”
Chapter 14: Carrying on using Resources to Heal: In this final chapter before the appendices, Dr. Jaffe suggests additional lifestyle modifications that can be made, as well as what specific practices he has implemented at his home to live long and well, and to carry on Bhanté’s legacy.
Why This Book Matters Now
Bhanté saw beyo
nd his lifetime, understanding that his insights would be most needed in a world grappling with division, uncertainty, and transformation. His teachings offer a blueprint for resilience, compassion, and diplomacy—timeless tools that can help us navigate today’s challenges.
This book is an invitation to discover his journey and, in doing so, reflect on your own. Bhanté’s wisdom lives on, waiting to inspire those who are ready to receive it.
Bhante Dharmawara, Cambodian Monk Extraordinaire is now available in paperback and for the Kindle reader on Amazon.
Additional Links for more information:
What I Learned from Bhante – Part 1 of 3
What I Learned from Bhante – Part 2 of 3