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The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi
- British Feminist, Indian Nationalist, Buddhist Nun
- Narrated by: Vicki Mackenzie, Maggie Ollerenshaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
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The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi
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Summary
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, a spiritual seeker, a scholar, a professor, a journalist, an author, a social worker, a wife, and mother of four children. She counted among her friends, colleagues, and teachers Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Chögyam 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.
Cover image courtesy of Bedi Family Archives
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What listeners say about The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. G. D. Allen
- 11-05-18
Great
A great story and truly inspiration. A story that should be well known and have been written years before
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Akshobya
- 10-12-23
Highly Inspirational
As a woman who also left her family to become a Buddhist nun and also taught extensively and granted empowerments in different countries, surprisingly I had no idea of the extent of her activities to flourish the Dharma. Whenever her name comes up it’s because she founded the Young Lamas’ School but that’s nothing compared to her numerous accomplishments. Thank you, Vicky MacKenzie for yet another gem of a biography.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tramaine
- 16-06-20
Incredible biography!
This was a gem of a find. I’m really surprised it hasn’t had much attention on here. It has everything, including some moments where I couldn’t believe what I was reading. You couldn’t make this up - its a real ride! I’m so happy to have read Freda’s story. The author has done a fantastic job and I’m glad she addresses the difficulties facing women who choose a way of life anathema to collective attitudes. You don’t have to be into spirituality/feminism/India in fact,to enjoy this book. This story would make a great movie especially since Freda was way ahead of her time and a total heroine. i hope there are teachers/educators out there that will bring Freda’s amazing story into schools. The only tiny criticism I have was the narrators sometimes comedic/cringey accents but I still think she did a great job considering the challenge! Brilliant all round.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-07-18
Extremely interesting
I enjoyed it very much, found it extremely interesting, what a woman, what a life.
The sheer quest and determination is remarkable.
I am happy that her work has been recorded. I wished I could of met her. Beautiful book...
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna
- 01-03-22
Fabulous story irritatingly read
The story of Freda's life is fascinating and I'm so glad there is such a well written book about it. However, the decision for the reader to use accents and different voices for people totally ruined the recording for me, I found it so frustrating that it took forever to finish listening as I could only stomach it for short periods. The Indian accents also seemed culturally insensitive. Besides the accents it was well read but dragged right down because of them,
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