This is an engaging report on a historic rendezvous in 1990 between the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, and eight Jewish spokespersons. The author, a professor of English at Louisiana State University, comes to a new appreciation of Judaism as he listens to representatives of his faith speak about angels, meditation, suffering, evil, and group survival. Throughout the dialogue these Jews and Buddhists honor their mutual devotion to spiritual practice and ethical discipline. Kamenetz comes away from the conference with a respect for the Dalai Lama's humility, generosity of spirit, and openness to interfaith dialogue. Readers of The Jew in the Lotus will be amazed at the rich vein of wisdom regarding Judaism and Buddhism contained within these pages.