Book Description
Like the two wings of a bird, love and insight work cooperatively to bring about enlightenment, says a fundamental Buddhist teaching. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we each possess the ability to achieve happiness and a meaningful life, but the key to realizing that goal is self-knowledge. In How to See Yourself As You Really Are, the world's foremost Buddhist leader and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize shows readers how to recognize and dispel misguided notions of self and embrace the world from a more realistic -- and loving -- perspective.
Step-by-step exercises help readers shatter their false assumptions and ideas and see the world as it actually exists. By directing our attention to the false veneer that so bedazzles our senses and our thoughts, His Holiness sets the stage for discovering the reality behind appearances. But getting past one's misconceptions is only a prelude to right action, and the book's final section describes how to harness the power of meditative concentration to the service of love, and vice versa, so that true altruistic enlightenment is attained.
Enlivened by personal anecdotes and intimate accounts of the Dalai Lama's own life experiences, How to See Yourself As You Really Are is an inspirational and empowering guide to achieving self-awareness that can be read and enjoyed by spiritual seekers of all faiths.
Customer Reviews:
The emperor wears no robe.......2007-06-23
I've got news for the "Buddhist" community: "His Holiness" the Dalai Lama is just another human being. I find it highly contradictory that adherents to a spiritual practice such as Buddhism, which claims to be non-theistic, regards a fellow human being as an exalted high holy incarnation of a deity to be referred to unquestionably as a fundamentalist Christian theocrat would refer to "God" or Jesus Christ in public discourse. The crass zen saying "if you meet the Buddha kill him" means that the divine does not exist outside of you...
That being said, our fellow human being "the Dalai Lama" has not really said anything original with regard to Buddhist practice. Quotes attributed to him are on the lines of "kindness is good, if you pursue kindness you'll be happy," etc. This is not to say he doesn't have anything good to say (though I highly suspect much of what he has "authored" is ghost-written), it's just that in terms of talking about meditation and mindfulness, etc. to Westerners he's no where near someone like Charlotte Joko Beck or Alan Watts.
The path to enlightenment.......2007-04-08
I believe the Dalai Lama is the closest thing we have to a Buddha on earth. His writing is full of grace and enlightenment. In this book he takes on the difficult task of explaining the true condition of a human being-impermanent conditional consciousness. This topic is very difficult to explain by putting it into words. The Dalai Lama does a great job and then follows up with many exercises. Here is how I would summarize this books teachings:
We are not our body, nor even our mind. if we were we could not say my mind or my body. Then what are we? We are "like" and illusion existing through our 5 aggregates, body, thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and consciousness. No "I" can be located. The closest we can come is understanding that we are consciousness observing the present moment, all else is thought and mental formation. Who we think we really are is just a mental formation we hold in our mind of our beliefs about ourselves our religion, height, weight, name, etc. Enlightenment is simply understanding this and the nature of reality.
I hope I did some justice to this books topic, but I highly recommend reading this book to move farther down the road to enlightenment.
Detachment as a way to authenticity.......2007-03-17
Emotions distort reality of self and others. Buddhism is a practice and a religion that offers a way out of illusion (Mara). The Dalai Lama brings forth his own wisdom as a world soul teacher immersed in Tibetan Buddhism. A wonderful guide on getting out of your own way.
Number One Pick.......2007-03-03
I have over 100 books on buddhism and meditation and if I had to pick my favorite this is it. To me it contains everything an aspiring buddha needs to know and practice.Especially good if you don't have access to a teacher or a spiritual center.
Stunning!.......2007-03-01
Only someone with such a profound insight and deep understanding over a subject as complex as emptiness is, can expound it as clear, easy going, way as His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama... This is a wonderful book guiding the reader step by step into a precise methodology to discriminate between the way things appear to our senses and the way they actually exist... Inspiring, clarifying, amazing!!!
A book that can be enojoyed at so many levels!!!
Amazon.com
As a primer on living the good life, few books compete with How to Practice, another profound offering from the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Westerners may be confused by the book's title, assuming that it focuses solely on Buddhist meditation and prayer techniques. Though it does address meditation and prayer, at its core this is a book that demonstrates how day-to-day living can be a spiritual practice. There are two ways to create happiness:
The first is external. By obtaining better clothes, better shelter, and better friends we can find a certain measure of happiness and satisfaction. The second is through mental development, which yields inner happiness. However, these two approaches are not equally viable. External happiness cannot last long without its counterpart.... However, if you have peace of mind you can find happiness even under the most difficult circumstances.
As he has in previous books (An Open Heart, The Art of Happiness), the Dalai Lama reminds us that developing peace of mind means paying attention to our daily attitudes and choices as well as taking the time to meditate and be prayerful. The six-part book covers Buddhist meditation techniques and visualization exercises as well as daily thoughts and actions that foster morality and wisdom. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
As human beings, we all share the desire for happiness and meaning in our lives. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. In this very special book, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers embark upon the path to enlightenment with a stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom and an easy-access reference for daily practice.
Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers
toward enlightenment, How to Practice is a constant companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. This accessible book will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, and maintiaining mentaltranquility as the Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers sage and practical insight into the human psyche and into the deepest aspirations that bind us all together.
Download Description
As human beings, we possess one common desire: the need for happiness and a meaningful life. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. Now, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers begin the path to enlightenment in a very special book -- an easy-access reference for daily practice as well as stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom of His Holiness. How to Practice will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, maintaining mental tranquility, and more. Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers of all faiths toward enlightenment, this accessible book is a constant and daily companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. The Dalai Lama shows us how to overcome our everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers the Dalai Lama's own sage and very practical insight into the human psyche and what binds us all together.
Customer Reviews:
A Brain Full of Buddhism in a Small Package..........2007-06-30
This book's unimposing lightweight appearance belies its thick conceptual content. A little over 200 pages, it delivers a brain full of Buddhism. Those unfamiliar with the Tibetan flavor of the life philosophy initiated by Siddhartha Gautama, or Shakyamuni, or Buddha, will close the back cover with a clear high-level understanding of this ancient practice. Though it contains some difficult sections, particularly the later chapters, nothing remains insurmountable for the average reader. But there's more. "How To Practice," as the title suggests, contains more than mere theory. Throughout, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, in translation from Tibetan, delineates physical and mental exercises that anyone can apply to their own lives. "It does not matter whether you are Buddhist or Christian, Moslem or Hindu, or whether you practice religion at all," he writes in the introduction. "What matters is your feeling of oneness with humankind." The book attempts just that, to train people towards nurturing this feeling of oneness and compassion with existence, regardless of disposition or background. Avoidance of suffering and increasing of happiness is the intended outcome.
The book's three main sections follow the major steps of practice: Morality, Concentrated Meditation, and Wisdom. Morality involves putting the suffering of others above one's own desires. Also called "Selfish Wisdom," this perspective helps alleviate one's own suffering while alleviating the pains of others. But the focus remains on others. However, what goes around comes around, because if everyone perceives the world this way, then everyone's suffering, including one's own, receives proper attention. Selfish and wise. Adjusting one's life to a moral framework also prepares the practicer for concentrated meditation. This helps focus and sharpen the mind to achieve "calm abiding." In this section, the Dalai Lama discusses his own meditation practices and gives instruction in technique. Lastly, Wisdom comes from comprehending the "emptiness" of all phenomenon. Through this wisdom we come to realize that things do not have inherent existence, thus everything arises out of dependencies. Phenomenon become known as "dependent-arisings." Dependency and "emptiness" go hand in hand. Of all the book's sections, "Practicing Wisdom" remains the most difficult to grasp. It may require multiple readings or brain yoga. The book concludes with a short section on Tantra, including a discussion of its sensual dimension, and an "Overview to the Path of Enlightenment," which summarizes the book's major points. Along the way, The Dalai Lama relates the story of the Buddha, the four noble truths, the ten nonvirtues, karma, rebirth, stories from his own life, and much that defies summary.
Overall, "How to Practice" attempts to rise above theory and demonstrate how people can apply the teachings of The Buddha to their lives. You can live this stuff. Not only that, the Dalai Lama emphasizes that one does not need to take on the full ascetic life of a Buddhist monk to benefit from these ideas. He writes, "Please implement whatever in these pages appears to be helpful. If you follow another religion, please adopt whatever might assist you. If you do not think it would be helpful, just leave it alone." How much suffering could be alleviated in the world if we followed this simple advice: "just leave it alone." Loads, perhaps. Regardless, many readers will doubtless find something useful in the Dalai Lama's crystalline text. Some degree of enlightenment awaits anyone who explores this deceptively small book.
Good info but poorly presented.......2007-04-10
I think the Dalai Lama is a great teacher. However, with this AUDIO BOOK, I think he has made a mistake (or his people have made one) in not hiring a professional reader to read the book. He uses his translator to read it, and this guy could put a room full of speed freaks to sleep! He has no expression, it sounds like he's TRYING to bore us to death!
Other than that, the info is very good for the most part. The first half or so is a kind of introduction to Buddhism, but the last 2 discs or so get very technical, about the meaning of "emptiness" which is a very hard concept to understand, at least to understand its deeper meanings. The Dalai Lama does a pretty good job of presenting this info, but I think any non-Bhuddist will find it too deep and hard to understand. Even I, as an intermediate student, felt it could have been presented better.
That said, you cannot go wrong in listening to this audio book, for it does have a lot of good information.
However there are lots of better things to listen to if you want to learn about Buddhism. I would suggest Thich Nhat Hanh's "Creating True Peace" for example.
This audio book could have been much better had they spent some money and hired a professional reader to read it, someone with some concept of how a book should be read aloud.
on the path.......2007-01-12
i think this is a great book for beginers or people who already have a grasp on boddhism, it is writen by the dalai lama. it is writen so that it is easy to understand but also gives great insight to some deaper concepts. i got this to try and learn some better meditations and mantras, but instead i found myself reviewing things, but in a great way, for the first time i truely got some concepts that have been eluding me. and in the end it helped my meditation too. this is a great book, and whatever type you study this is still a great book
must-read for understanding why we exist and the way to get beyond this mere existence.......2007-01-11
excellent book on giving insights into why we exist and the way to get beyond our existence. You'll see the true experience, if you keep practising what Dalai Lama has suggested in the book. It is the essence of Buddhism, a deep and rich methodology beyond worldly matters.
A practical guide to change for the better.......2006-09-28
Just like the title, "How to Practice" is a gift to humankind to illuminate the right way to act. The goal of being human is to realize the potential within, which is a permanent state of happiness and peace. To achieve this, the beginner cultivates kindness and harmony for all beings.
The Dalai Lama also describes the methods for training and controlling the mind. There is also a brief description of "The Middle Way", which is the way of renunciation, the real way to escape the Wheel of Samsara or suffering. It is the way to liberation. The Middle Way is not possible without practicing "Deity Yoga", which is mentioned towards the end of the book. "Diety Yoga" or the highest form of tantra, is not for everyone, as the practice is exceeding difficult and demanding on the practitioner.
For those who are interested, the Middle Way, including the highest form of tantra is described in detail in Samael Aun Weor's books.... (see www.gnosticteachings.org)
Book Description
Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have left an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?
After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry—scientific as well as spiritual—must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality.
This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s teachers—both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.
Customer Reviews:
a wonderful prospect.......2007-09-16
This is an inexpressibly beautiful book, in which H. H. the Dalai Lama describes a kind of "middle way" between scientific materialism and spirituality without science. If only more people would embrace a combining of scientific endeavor with spiritual values as the Dalai Lama proposes here! We are extraordinarily fortunate that he has made his thoughts available to us at a time when both the wonders and dangers of science grow so rapidly and that he demonstrates the possibility of dialogue between a spiritual leader such as himself with members of the scientific community.
More to the Universe than Science.......2007-07-23
The Dalai Lama's genuine and insightful look at the parallels between the Buddhist faith and Science are quite refreshing. He does a good job demonstrating the limits of scientific observation, while also demonstrating a great appreciation for what Science has to offer Humankind. His comparison of the Buddhist concept of emptiness to the mysteries of quantum physics was fascinating. If you have not delved into the absurdly mysterious workings of quantum physics, I emphatically suggest you do so. I feel many scientists think that they can necessarily explain everything, while the Universe keeps suggesting otherwise.
This was my first exposure to Buddhism, and I found it much more reasonable and open-minded than mainstream Christianity. I am agnostic, but I have not felt that there was a God in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic sense (a tinkerer) since high school. While I am not planning on converting, I find Buddhism a much more palatable religious philosophy (but I digress). I sought this book as a different perspective from the all too often materialistic view point of Scientific Academia (I am a graduate student in biochemistry). In this sense the book was quite successful. I would have given 4 & 1/2 stars if that were an option.
Choppy but brilliant..........2007-07-06
This book lacks the fluidity one might be hoping for but, since it's translated from the words of the brilliant Dalai Lama, you will forgive the choppiness well before finishing the first chapter.
This book explains both the similarities and the differences between Buddhist thought and scientific exploration. The Dalai Lama speaks of the reasons why a religious or spiritual path should not ignore new discoveries in the scientific field but, instead, grow towards incorporating new findings in order to develop more soundly.
It's interesting to hear of the Dalai Lama's research on physics, quantum mechanics, evolution, the big bang hypothesis, the singularity, and more. He has met with some of the most prominent scientific researchers of our time and is truly working towards the unification of spirituality and science as well as the expansion of human understanding.
Though I have always had great respect for the Buddhist path, my admiration for Buddhist principles has increased since reading this wonderful book. Though it may not be an easy read for most, it is well worth the effort.
A Level-Headed Look at Science and Religion.......2007-04-19
As a Zen student with a Ph.D. in physics I often ponder the integration of scientific and religious world views. This is a bit easier for Buddhists because our religion places less emphasis on belief than other faiths do. I see science as a tool that uses measurement to understand nature, while religion deals with ethics and human experience. The Dalai Lama comes to similar conclusions, although more eloquently, in his book "The Universe in a Single Atom."
Both science and religion inspire a sense of wonder and help us understand our place in the cosmos, so comparing them, as the Dalai Lama does in this book, can be worthwhile. He writes well about science. I found his descriptions of physics accurate, although he missed some of the subtleties of the EPR experiment. As expected from a meditator, he points out that science has yet to explore subjective experience. The Dalai Lama draws parallels between the empirical exploration of mental states in the Tibetan tradition and the scientific method. This empiricism first drew me to Buddhism. In fact, my intimate thoughts and feelings have often seemed more immediate and real than some ghostly trace on an oscilloscope that represents "objective reality."
The Dalai Lama gently points out questionable assumptions made by scientific reductionists. For the most part I think his criticisms are valid. Although he's willing to abandon doctrines disproved by modern science, I wonder if the Dalai Lama would be willing to put the Buddhist bedrock teachings of karma and rebirth to the empirical test. If these are truly universal laws, they should be demonstrable by more than personal anecdote. I would have been interested if he'd discussed this more.
This is a fascinating, well-written book. I recommend it to fellow Buddhists and anyone interested in the interaction between science and religion.
Interesting, but somewhat abstruse........2007-01-22
Albert Einstein believed that Buddhism reflected modern science quite well. This book supports that contention. The Dalai Lama is clearly a great thinker with a deep interest in science. The early sections of the book deal with the relationship of Buddhism with relativity theory and quantum physics. The commonality of the Buddhist and modern physics ideas of reality and emptiness is striking, but I found the latter section on consciousness a bit harder to follow.
Reading this book gave me a feeling - but just a feeling - for Buddhism and the depth of Buddhist philosophy. In many ways, it appears to be as complicated and abstruse as modern physics. I would recommend this book to those interested in the more philosophical aspects of modern physics and to those who know about Buddhism and are interested in how it relates to modern scientific thought. However, if you are not interested in either of these subjects, this may not be the book for you.
Amazon.com
In a modern society characterized by insensitivity to violence, ambivalence to the suffering of others, and a high-octane profit motive, is talk of ethics anything more than a temporary salve for our collective conscience? The Dalai Lama thinks so. In his Ethics for the New Millennium, the exiled leader of the Tibetan people shows how the basic concerns of all people--happiness based in contentment, appeasement of suffering, forging meaningful relationships--can act as the foundation for a universal ethics.
His medicine isn't always easy to swallow, however, for it demands of the reader more than memorizing precepts or positing hypothetical dilemmas. The Nobel Peace laureate invites us to recognize certain basic facts of existence, such as the interdependence of all things, and from these to recalibrate our hearts and minds, to approach all of our actions in their light. Nothing short of an inner revolution will do. Basic work is required in nurturing our innate tendencies to compassion, tolerance, and generosity. And at the same time, "we need to think, think, think ... like a scientist," reasoning out the best ways to act from a principle of universal responsibility. Like a merging of the care and compassion of Jesus, the cool rationality of the Stoics, the moral program of Ben Franklin, and the psychology of William James, Ethics for the New Millennium is a plea for basic goodness, a blueprint for world peace. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Here is a moral system based on universal rather than religious principles. Its ultimate goal is happiness for every individual regardless of religious belief. Though the Dalai Lama is himself a practicing Buddhist, his approach to life and the moral compass that guides him can lead each and every one of us-Muslim, Christian, Jew, or Atheist-to a happier, more fulfilling life.
Customer Reviews:
Simple, practical, nonreligious guide to ethics.......2007-04-10
Ethics for the New Millennium is explicitly a nonreligious work, though it does present several key ideas that come out of Buddhist philosophical tradition. The goal, as stated in the preface, is to present an approach to ethics based on "universal" rather than religious principles. Presumably, these are principles that persons of diverse religious and nonreligious backgrounds would agree upon. Despite the title, this is not a technical or heavily philosophical work. Much of the book has a common-sense, anecdotal quality to it. While I enjoyed the stories of the Dalai Lama's personal experiences and his unique sense of humor, I must say that some of the cases he makes would be greatly strengthened if he presented some statistical data or findings from modern sociology, psychology and science. The Dalai Lama confesses that his own knowledge of modern (Western) secular thought is still limited, so much of his teachings probably reflect the Buddhist philosophy in which he has trained. Throughout the book, he introduces us to a number of Tibetan terms which do not have simple English equivalents. Several of the key notions presented in the book will probably be unfamiliar to the average Western reader. Of course, this is part of the attraction of the book.
To explain his motivation, the Dalai Lama begins by making the personal observation that, while the poor living in less developed countries with traditional cultures may be suffering physically, they often seem to be happier than those with greater material wealth living in more developed countries. His Holiness is careful not to romanticize "old ways of life" and he does not advocate primitivism or rejection of science and technology as a solution to the world's problems, but rather a "spiritual revolution." By this he means the adoption of the emotional disciplines and alternative worldview laid out in this book as a means of addressing disharmony in modern life. He says "My call for a spiritual revolution is thus not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow otherworldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather, it is a call for a radical reorientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self" (p23). The Dalai Lama does a remarkable job of presenting this ethical system in simple language.
Christian readers may interested in the brief allusion to the "Fruits of the Spirit" (pp 22-23) which are discussed in a non-religious context. His Holiness acknowledges an admiration for Christian teachings developed in part through his friendship with a Cistercian monk some time ago. Even more interesting might be the chapter entitled "Ethics and Suffering" for those who wonder how persons with a non-theistic viewpoint cope with suffering and loss. An important clarification of the notion of karma is given as well. It is one of the best chapters in my opinion, though too short.
This is a very tolerant and pluralistic work with regard to religion. Polemics against religiously motivated bigotry, violence, and dogma seem to be entirely absent. The final chapter "The Role of Religion" is very insightful, but adroitly steers clear of controversy. The Dalai Lama acknowledges that people can lead happy ethical lives without recourse to religion, but is concerned that, with the rise of science and secularism worldwide, there may also be a rise in moral relativism. This book is intended to provide an alternative. My favorite quote: "These may seem unusual statements, coming as they do from a religious figure. I am, however, Tibetan before I am Dalai Lama, and I am human before I am Tibetan."
The more philosophical part of the book, entitled "The Nature of Reality", introduces the idea of dependent origination. This sort of organismic, interconnected view of the universe may require several readings to grasp, but leads naturally to the doctrine of "no self." This is the clearest and simplest explanation of this doctrine I have found so far.
The recurring theme of the book is this: our happiness depends upon the happiness of others. Here is another interesting quote: "As we have seen, given the complex nature of reality, it is very difficult to say that a particular act or type of act is right or wrong in itself. Ethical conduct is thus not something we engage in because it is somehow right in itself. We do so because we recognize that just as I desire to be happy and to avoid suffering so do all others." Afflictive emotions (anger, greed, hatred, pride, etc.) destroy our ability to make rational decisions, so we should practice restraint. Emotional responses can be shaped by worldview, and practice. The same is true for cultivating virtues. Anxiety and stress are often a result of lack of perspective. This is a very practical book that offers guidelines for changing how we react and how we feel.
I am a little concerned, however, with some statements made about science throughout the book, though these are not by any means central issues. The Dalai Lama tends to refer to "radical materialism" when talking about science from time to time, and I find this an unfortunate choice of words given the common connotations of the words "radical" and "materialism." Philosophical naturalism would have been better. He also says "my concern is rather that we are apt to overlook the limitations of science. In replacing religion as the final source of knowledge in popular estimation, science begins to look a bit like another religion itself" (p 11). It is not clear, just what, if anything, His Holiness suggests should be the final source of knowledge. The book is not heavily philosophical and so does not discuss epistemology (theories of knowledge). A recurring theme is the important role of practice and discipline; so perhaps in this sense, knowledge alone is insufficient to create the kind of disposition advocated in the book.
Little is said about economics, but readers may well wonder if the compassion and altruism advocated here are compatible with the workings of free-market economy which is based on competition. His Holiness again admits that his knowledge of economics is limited (p195), but he suggests "the relationship between empathy and profit is necessarily fragile. Still, I do not see why it should not be possible to have constructive competition. The key factor is the motivation of those engaged in it. ... But when competition is conducted with a spirit of generosity and good intention, the outcome, although it must entail a degree of suffering for those who lose, will at least not be too harmful." It is not pure altruism, of course, that he is suggesting, but rather a form of enlightened self interest (p127).
On the whole, this is a positive, feel-good book that I enjoyed reading, with lots of practical suggestions for ethical living that are phased in clear, simple language. It forms an interesting contrast with other more confrontational bestsellers I've read recently that also seek to create change.
Said the Buddhist to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything!" .......2006-08-15
Very few religious leaders speak deeply about ethics in a manner that allows people to think deeply as a result. Too many religious leaders are authoritarian in their edicts about morality or lax because gaining converts and their money is foremost on their minds. (Yeah, I'm a little cynical.)
In this book, Ethics for the New Millennium, HH the Dalai Lama is the answer to the overly authoritarian and the insipidly lax. In it, he answers the question that lazy, greedy, or selfish people inevitably ask: Why should I live an ethical life? To them, living ethically implies being taken advantage of by the less ethical. They're wrong. Living ethically leads to being happy. You don't, however, have to be stupid to live ethically.
This book is divided into three major sections:
1. The Foundation of Ethics - in which the Dalai Lama describes how we are all dependent on each other, from our dependency on our parents when we were children to the interconnectedness of the global society. He concludes by discussing the most important emotion that we can express: compassion. Compassion and ethical action leads to happiness.
2. Ethics and the Individual - in which the Dalai Lama discusses how people can increase their compassion and thus their happiness in life. He says that to increase compassion, we should restrain those factors that inhibit compassion, and these factors are the source of unethical conduct. Also, to increase compassion, we should encourage love, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, humility, and so on. Sounds good to me.
3. Ethics and Society - in which the Dalai Lama makes the natural extension of living an ethical life as an individual and lays out routes to help change the world. Because every act has a universal dimension, because all things are interconnected, ethical discipline, wholesome conduct, and careful discernment will lead to a better world.
I'm not a Pollyanna. I don't believe that the whole world will be better if I act ethically, but I know that I feel better when I follow the teachings of the Dalai Lama, and I like the effects on my family. I don't let people take advantage of me financially or personally, but that is a matter of respecting oneself. Extending the hand of compassion, however, makes one a better human being, and that makes you happy.
I'm putting this book back on my nightstand to read a little of, every night.
TK Kenyon
RABID, coming in 2007 from Kunati Books
A moral masterpiece!.......2006-06-24
This is an absolute wonder, and may be the most important book I have ever shoplifted.
He knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn.......2006-05-30
The Dalai Lama considers the state of the world in relation to ethics with a fine-toothed comb. (I am currently borrowing "Ethics for the New Millennium" as an abridged audiobook from my local library. This is a tape I will repeatedly listen to until its due date...) The Dalai Lama is such a sweetheart! I love how he perceives the world, suggests solutions and alternatives to global and ethical dilemnas, and remains optimistic about the future. He believes that we are a people who want to be happy while avoiding suffering. He acknowleges that we do have a dark side that we must keep in check and subdue; but to counter this dark side, the Dalai Lama believes that people are mostly gentle by nature and can return to that natural state with discipline and guidance. We deviate from our better nature when we try to find happiness the wrong way or in the wrong things, and thereby only feel transitory illusions of happiness that may cause harm to others. As a pop song claims, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look in the mirror and then make a change...I'm looking at the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways...etc." The Dalai Lama is definitely in favor of the need for personal growth and an inner revolution for everyone.
The Dalai Lama doesn't go on at length about idealizing this planet or how great it is. He says it is where we live, and therefore, we must take good care of it and encourage global stewardship. The actions of one country will impact the whole world (think about jet streams and imported and exported food). We literally are in this world together; think about what that means. I love how he disparages concepts of Group Identity and other separatists ideas. Black, white, whatever, we all have feelings, and our common ground and goals far outweigh any cultural differences or bitterness over history's mistakes. Also, no one's self-worth or sense of identity should be forged at the expense of another person or ethnic group.
Like Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People," this is a must-read for every person on the planet. We can agree with the Dalai Lama theoretically, but we must go the extra mile to learn how to apply these ethics (that promote happiness and prevent or curb suffering). (I'm preaching to the choir when I say that I need to learn how to better transform these principles from theory into practice, especially when it comes to managing my emotions and curtailing my feelings of anger and disappointment.) Even in small ways, we can make things better for each other and ourselves. I love when the Dalai Lama observes that when we are promoting others' happiness, we feel happiness ourselves. He repeatedly stresses how interconnected and interrelated we all are. We depend on each other, we need each other.
I'm so sick of over-the-top pessimism and unrealistic nostalgia for the past. As a Universalist, I believe the best of times are in the future and the worst of times are in the past and the immediate present. I remember a lyric from a U2 song ("Zoo Station"/Achtung Baby) that says, "time is a train, makes the future the past." I love that the Dalai Lama points out many positive trends in today's society. He's pleased-as-punch that reconciliation and compassion are buzz words, even in politics and businesses. He also is pleasantly aware that the current global marketplace is very dependent on international cooperation. On a related note, I love when I buy chocolate, tea, and coffee that is not only organic, but is fair-trade certified. No one needs to be exploited for the greed of shareholders. Profit is okay if it is accrued ethically, meaning no sweatshops, no needless, man-made hell imposed on innocents (read "Fast Food Nation" to learn about the consequences of unethical business practices. Like the Dalai Lama, the author of "Fast Food Nation" points out how we are only nickle and diming ourselves to do it the wrong way; with redirection in energy and ethics, we can do it the right way without unnecessarily harming employees or the environment).
To wrap up, please read this book or listen to it as an audiobook. The Dalai Lama knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn.
A Simple and Comprehensive Study on Ethics.......2006-04-30
There are few books that I've read that have captured my interest so much as to inspire me to read them twice. This is one of those books. It is not a book about Buddhism. It is not a book about religion. Yet I am confident that most people will find the core values of their faith in these pages. "Ethics" is a book about morality. It teaches the reader how we benefit individually from living our lives in an ethical manner as well as how society as a whole benefits. And it describes how society suffers, and we suffer, when our actions are immoral and self-serving.
The Dalai Lama starts off his book, appropriately, by discussing the foundation of ethics. What is the foundation of ethical behavior? On what basis do we judge an act to be ethical? And how does our lack of ethical behavior not only affect the happiness of others but our own happiness as well? I feel that any discussion of ethics must address these questions, and the Dalai Lama provides sound answers. He then follows this first section with several chapters devoted to ethics for the individual, specifically addressing virtue, compassion, and restraint. The discussion continues with a discussion of ethics and suffering, and finally a chapter on ethical discipline. In the last section, the Dalai Lama addresses ethics and society, covering such topics as universal responsibility, peace and disarmament, and the role of religion in modern society.
In the beginning of his book, the Dalai Lama calls for a spiritual revolution. He then goes on to describe what he feels each of us must do, individually, to bring about such a revolution on a global scale. And it all boils down to ethical behavior at an individual level. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the study of morality and how it affects each of us and the world as a whole.
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
In the summer of 1999, the Dalai Lama addressed an audience of over 40,000 in Central Park on how to live a better life. Open Heart is derived from this and other popular lectures given in New York. Here, the Dalai Lama progresses beyond his bestsellers The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium by introducing specific practices that can engender happiness. Spiritual practice, according to the Dalai Lama, is a matter of taming unwanted emotions, which means becoming aware of how the mind works. Through the methods of analytical and settled meditation, the Dalai Lama shows how we can cultivate helpful states of mind and eliminate harmful states, leading us to develop compassion for others and happiness for ourselves. But there is no preaching of a single, right method. This revered but humble monk merely invites the reader to understand the causes of one's suffering and consider how best to alleviate it. Open Heart should draw crowds to the bookstores and lead us all to more satisfactory living. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
In the summer of 1999, the Dalai Lama addressed an audience of over 40,000 in Central Park on how to live a better life. Open Heart is derived from this and other popular lectures given in New York. Here, the Dalai Lama progresses beyond his bestsellers The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium by introducing specific practices that can engender happiness. Spiritual practice, according to the Dalai Lama, is a matter of taming unwanted emotions, which means becoming aware of how the mind works. Through the methods of analytical and settled meditation, the Dalai Lama shows how we can cultivate helpful states of mind and eliminate harmful states, leading us to develop compassion for others and happiness for ourselves. But there is no preaching of a single, right method. This revered but humble monk merely invites the reader to understand the causes of one's suffering and consider how best to alleviate it. Open Heart should draw crowds to the bookstores and lead us all to more satisfactory living. --Brian Bruya
Customer Reviews:
changed my life.......2007-10-03
This book was given to me as a Christmas present from my mother in 2000. The following February, before I had a chance to read it, she passed away due to complications caused by both Bechets Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. About a month after that, still reeling in grief, I finally decided to make time for this book, and I'm so glad that I did. It almost single handedly helped me process my grief and all the other emotions I was going through at the time. My perspective on life has not been the same since.
I'm not a Buddhist (nor do I consider myself a member of any organized religion) but I am a very spiritual person and I feel closer to Buddhism than any other religions. What's great about this book, and other books by his holiness that I have read since, is that he presents his ideas in multiple ways that can be understood within the context of almost any religion/spirituality/faith/belief system. His writing can appeal to anyone who's part of the global human family.
It's a great book, and it's short/to the point. I can't recommend it enough to everyone out there.
An Accessible Presentation Of Buddhist Meditation.......2007-01-29
This book presents two different, but related, topics: practicing compassion and meditation methodology. The two topics are related because meditation can assist the practice of compassion; as well, they happened to be the subject of two different lecture series given by the Dalai Lama in New York City in August of 1999. The lecture on compassion, delivered in Central Park, is presented verbatim, and is meant for a wide audience, while the remainder of the book (apparently a synopsis of a series of lectures given on meditation) is aimed at an audience seeking to initiate or deepen a meditation practice.
While the Dalai Lama's remarks on compassion are excellent, the material on meditation is extraordinary, in that it summarizes and presents for Westerners an overview of three ancient texts on meditation, including very specific and practical advice about meditation techniques. I do not imagine that I would have understood the original meditation texts even if I had been made aware of them and had been given a good English translation; but the Dalai Lama's remarks on these texts has made them very accessible.
The combination of the two parts of the book is not always seamless, but the teaching is so worthwhile that it hardly matters.
Insightful!.......2006-03-24
This is an easy to read book with tons of insight into a better mindset. You should read the book slowly -- take time to reflect on each idea, such as compassion. Keep the topics of the book in mind throughout your day, whether you're a mom at home, a student at school, or working in your cubicle. It will be the first step into inner peace and practicing compassion in every day life.
A Delight to read...as usual........2005-12-21
I have yet to read a book by the Dalai Lama that I was not impressed and moved by. This little book is easy to read and full of insight as well as ways to incorporate the Buddhist ideal of compassion into our every day lives. You can't go wrong with this one.
His presence shines through.......2005-02-25
Of the 8 books I've read by Ngawang Losang Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, I like this one best (though I haven't read the Practice book others have mentioned). This one includes comments on several Buddhist texts (as have some of his others). However, this one is a bit more practical than the others--it includes some guidance on the 4 Immeasurables practices (loving kindness, compassion, equanimity, and joy--especially in others' happiness), Bodhichitta (Buddha Mind or universal compassion), and Shamatha or Shine (Calm or Tranquil Abiding). The last is the basic form of Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) meditation. It is an essential starting point towards enlightenment--included in virtually all schools of Buddhism from Theravada (SE Asia) to Dzogchen and Mahamudra. All these teachings are presented in His Holiness' gentle, compassionate style, reflecting his own nature. I had the great fortune to meet him for a brief moment in Washington, DC and, IMHO, he is the most present and sincere and real person I've met. The value of his work (s) IMHO is more a reflection of what he is than who he is or what he says or writes.
Book Description
The Dalai Lama teaches with clear and forceful language. These teachings form an essential spiritual discourse.--Publishers Weekly
Customer Reviews:
Meditate don't medicate.......2007-05-07
The information is soothing. What is odd however is all the people searching for "something" they will never find. It really does just boil down to being a good person.
To much terminology.......2005-10-02
To my opinion the second part of the book it goes too deep into Buddhist terminology and into theories beyond the apprehension of a western reader.
The theory of emptiness and complicated issues of high level Buddhist philosophy shouldn't have been a part of a book with the title "healing anger"!
Excellent.......2004-03-05
Snow Lion Publications is a landmark when it comes to Buddhist literature, up there with Wisdom Books and Shambhala Publications. The Dalai Lama faces the issues of our times in this book; for we live in times of so much violence and anger in various situations, not just "global." We encounter them in our family life, in our work life, et cetera. Everywhere we go, this matter seems to pop right up! As you might expect, the practice out of this the Dalai Lama prescribes is the cultivation of compassion; cultivating patience. Patience, His Holiness points out, permits us to mindfully and calmly accept hardship, thus enabling us to see things as they are unclouded.
In here you find an old text from the 11th century which is quite important to Tibet known as the "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" by Shantideva. The Dalai Lama uses this text as his entire groundwork for explaining the practice and place of patience in our lives, if of course, we are aspiring and actualizing our life as a bodhisattva. Also a good book on this subject is "Anger: Wisdom For Cooling the Flames." Sure the books are dissimilar in style and format, while simultaneously they drive towards the same end point; realizing our life as a bodhisattva. Get this book right away, it's a must have!
Logical and needed in today's world.......2003-07-16
This book is essential reading for those like myself who have difficulty restraining their anger. Reading this book has allowed me to understand the causes that lead to anger and ultimately, to suffering. At it's deepest level, Healing Anger is about how to get oneself on the road to the cessation from suffering by changing one's outlook on the world and on oneself.
Essential.......2003-04-26
This book is a recording of one of the Dalai Lama's seminars in the US. Looks hard to read at first, but the concepts are fascinating. The Q&A sections reveal alot of the more dogmatic views of Tibetan Buddhism. The premise is simple, anger is an unecessary cause of suffering. Alot of good advice, especially for Westerners attempting to convert to Buddhism or considering the path of the Bodhisatva. When you think about these things it can really make a difference. Stick with it. It's worth reading!
Book Description
The works of the Buddha can feel vast, and it is sometimes difficult for even longtime students to know where to look, especially since the Buddha never explicitly defined the framework behind his teachings. Designed to provide just such a framework, In the Buddha's Words is an anthology of the Buddha's works that has been specifically compiled by a celebrated scholar and translator. For easy reference, the book is arrayed in ten thematic sections ranging from "The Human Condition" to "Mastering the Mind" to "The Planes of Realization." Each section comes with introductions, notes, and essays to help beginners and experts alike draw greater meaning from the Buddha's words. The book also features a general introduction by the author that fully lays out how and why he has arranged the Buddha's teachings in this volume. This thoughtful compilation is a valuable resource for both teachers and those who want to read the Buddha on their own.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent!.......2007-08-28
I bought this based on the previous customer comments, and I was not disappointed. This is a very nice, compact, volume. Topical organization and introductory sections are very helpful to me as a newcomer to Buddhism. Heavy repetitions have been omitted, making the suttas very easy to read without compromising the integrity of the message. I highly recommend this volume to new practitioners or students of Buddhism.
Closest Buddhist equivalent to the Xtian Bible.......2007-07-13
Wonderful introduction by the Dalai Lama and each 'section' of this book has really informative introduction by Bhikku Bodhi. At times the subject matter of the text makes you realise how long ago the Buddha lived but the core teachings are almost always relevant today and there is an authenticity about this work that keeps one's understanding of Dharma grounded. This is the real deal. This book along with a good translation of the Dhammapada really does feel like the closest thing a Dharma follower can get to the Bible. I really feel this is an essential addition to any collection of Dharma books. Just a warning though - the final chapters were really dry (for me) and probably too deep for me to really grasp (I am not a hard core practitioner). This is not the kind of book you read on the bus/train.
Highlt recommended for those so inclined.......2007-04-03
This book is simply a must have for the serious minded individual seeking knowledge concerning the Theraveda school. To seek through Vissapana Meditation and mindlfulness that which can lead to many great rewards.
Nice book and a great addition to a personal library.
A good summary of Theravada Buddhist teachings.......2007-03-08
Anybody interested in pursuing an understanding of Buddhism and Buddhist teachings can tell you how overwhelming it can be to try to sift through the religious texts. First of all, the Pali canon is quite huge, such that it would take a lifetime to read and absorb it all, and the printed versions of it (in Pali, there is still no complete English translation) are anywhere from 35 to 58 volumes. From this vast ocean of scripture Bhikkhu Bodhi effectively organizes it into chapters based on major points of doctrine. Each chapter has a few pages of Bhikkhu Bodhi's own interpretation and explanation, but the bulk of the book is devoted to the scripture. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to better understand Buddhism (including Mahayana Buddhism). As for those who are as intensely interested in Theravada Buddhism as I am, I would say that this book, along with a good translation of the Dhammapada, is essential.
Buddha's Words With Clarity.......2007-01-14
I own many of the longer and complete translations of the Pali Canon available now and have spent years studying and teaching, to the best of my ability, the contents and character of each. What I find most useful about Bhikkhu Bohdi's anthology is it's concise and focused selection of Suttas and the logic of the overall outline, making it an extremely useful learning tool of the heart of Buddhism. Also, I took an extended trip recently and this was the only book of scripture I took along. It's physical size combined with the translations themselves and Bhikkhu Bodhi's erudite and clear commentary made this a wonderful traveling companion. If your Buddhist library can hold only one book, I highly recommend this volume.
Book Description
Often called "The Convict's Bible," this book is also relevant and important to any spiritual seeker. Interfaith wisdom, divided into 3 sections: The Big View describes Bo and Sita Lozoff's life of activism and spiritual exploration. Getting Free is a section of detailed instruction in classic spiritual practices. Dear Bo is correspondence between Bo and dozens of the inmates he has challenged, encouraged, and loved. This is an amazing book, which has moved people to great extremes. It has been translated into 5 languages.
Customer Reviews:
Remarkable.......2006-12-12
Reading the correspondence from prisoners working to pursue meditation and yoga in their search for peace just knocked me out. We think in our ordinary (free) lives that we struggle with our spiritual paths, and in theory it might be the same work, but the inspiration from these stories puts a whole new perspective on the seeking. An excellent, touching, sincere and fascinating book.
"We're All Doing Time" is Indescribably good.......2006-07-06
I thought that this book would be interesting and informative, but was was much better than I expected. It not only answered all of my questions and gave wonderfully clear instructions for the practices, but I actually had several "Ah Ha!" moments while reading it. I rate this book as one of the most important books that I have read in years.
The letters are the best part........2006-06-08
I saw a t.v show on the prison ashram project and decided to check out one of bo's books. The first 2 chapters are very short but full of great information even though they are your run of the mill dime store wisdom found in many places. If you're just getting started then you really don't need any further teachings other than what is here. If you've been goofing around for a while then the third chapter is just great for the questions and answers and honest dialog. There isn't any preaching ... just simple, to the point answers to many questions that plague the average meditator. A great book, thoughtful read and a happy purchase.
A singularly profound spiritual testimony.......2005-08-11
Bo Lozoff is the director of the "Human Kindess Foundation" and his writings, workships, and tapes have helped countless numbers of men and women to deal with the limiting effects of selfishness, fear, anger, and addiction --as well as incarceration where the barriers are ones of cold steel bars and high cement walls. He has now distilled his observations and insights in We're All Doing Time: A Guide For Getting Free, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We're All Doing Time spells out the philosophy of the Prison-Ashram Project, which strives to give spiritual community and help, without mandating specific religious dogma, to those suffering in prisons. Others work to reform prison systems, and the author commends them highly; but until great changes can be wrought for the better, the philosophies in We're All Doing Time are meant to make prison physical and spiritual life more bearable. Black-and-white photographs and true stories of individuals and inmates searching for peace and meaning in their lives make We're All Doing Time a singularly profound spiritual testimony.
Can't go wrong with this one.......2005-08-03
I read this book prior to recommending it to a relative who is serving a life sentence in a California prison. I had heard of the book, but was not willing to recommend it without reading it. If you are looking for a "user-friendly" introduction to spiritual development, you can't go wrong with this one. Written in a very clean, easy to understand, and loving style, the book is the one I would want to have were I facing a life sentence.
Amazon.com
Occasionally a book comes along that you want to take outside, shove into the hand of every passerby, and say, "Read this and be enlightened." The Dalai Lama's latest collection of lectures is like that. As you read, you begin to think what a wonderful world it would be if everybody thought like the Dalai Lama. Though the highest ranked leader of a world religion, the Dalai Lama insists that some of the most important aspects of Buddhist practice are nonreligious, particularly the training of the mind. This he sees as essential to cultivating basic decency in the day-to-day life of all people. To understand the motivations of others, to rein in negative emotions, to examine one's own motivations--these are the steps to living peacefully and responsibly in the world. On a deeper theoretical level, the Dalai Lama also introduces the importance of seeing through reality to the two levels of truth as well as exploring karma and the nature of existence. Impromptu question-and-answer sessions round out some of the lectures, giving the listeners a chance to pose their own questions. Read this and be enlightened. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Imbued with a friendly tone and pithy wisdom, this handsome handbook to approaching life "in a better way" includes six of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's most accessible and inspirational public lectures. Following each talk are the original question-and-answer sessions in which His Holiness opens himself up to his listeners and-now-to readers everywhere. His characteristically candid guidance on living fully and responsibly, especially at the start of a new millennium, focuses on specific themes that range from religious tolerance to compassion and nonviolence. The book also includes a practical and highly readable introduction to Buddhism and the Dalai Lama's own spiritual heritage, written by the renowned Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.
Compiled and edited by Renuka Singh.
Introduction by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.
Customer Reviews:
Totally disappointed .......2007-10-05
The book came directly from Amazon with the back jacket torn and ripped. So this is a review FOR Amazon, not the book itself.
Good Basic Teaching.......2007-02-14
I listed to the book on tape, and it is the first book I have read by the Dalai Lama. He teaches very simply, and it is easy to understand his concepts. He gives a good overview of Buddhism, and the different types of Buddist teachings. On the Book on Tape I really didn't care for the person doing the reading, but that is a minor point. All in all, I got alot out of it.
Good Book on How to Live Your Life Meaningfully.......2004-02-19
"Pay attention not only to the cultivation of knowledge but to the cultivation of qualities of the heart, so that at the end of education, not only will you be knowledgeable, but also you will be a warm-hearted and compassionate person."
That's merely a brief excerpt from this book filled with whimsical and charismatic anecdotes from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The book is in effect a decade's collection of teachings he has given throughout his life, condensed into a book for our benefit. This collection of talks he gave in the 90's plainly lays out his viewpoint about how to follow the pathway of one's inner self. This is one of those books that you know you won't be able to put into practice flawlessly, but there are things here you will discover that can help you feel better about how you are living and benefit others.
Very Good.......2003-11-21
I enjoyed this book very much. I am not a student of the Dalai Lama but I did enjoy this work. I thought the lectures gave the novice a good idea about Budahist thought.
I would suggest this book to those of different faiths who are curious but do not want a deep thelogical work. This particular work is more like a set of sermons from a Christian preacher might be. While it does not give you the full picture it does give you enough to have a pretty good idea about what is going on in the faith.
I liked very much the discussions compassion. The idea that compassion not only leads to enlightenment but a happier existence here is something all of us no matter what faith we are could follow.
Simply great.......2003-06-20
Hey, read this book! All stuff from Enlightened beings of every religion, philosophy, social caste, skin colour, etc. such as Dalai Lama, Jesus Christ, Jahve, Osiris, Druids or maybe your silent and smiley neighbour are always a good reason to buy, read, listen, etc. their acts and activities!
And is always a pleasure to read/listen/whatever, so may they can infect us with their wonderfull enlightened and happyness virus!! I wanna be infected!
I haven't finished to read this book though, but I can say that it is simply a demonstration's of Dalai Lama's Wide Open Brain! Impermanence is the right word that resumes this book to me => What is eating meat, beans, grains, fruit, milk or vegetables but simply feed the food's need of anyone? Is that really important? Really? Who we are to judge anyone for doing this or that? When we, short of brain humans' may understand?
When are we going to start doing simpler stuff such as being happy and infect people around with this happyness, so everybody can only have to time for joy instead of violence in any of its forms?
Yeaps, I have read some "deeper" books, but hey, what is deepness?
Is "high intellectual" stuff better than having peace inside, and live in happyness with all our surroundng people/sentient beings/wanna-be-sentient beings/or things?
(: Smile :)
Life is short and we all have a lot of things to do!! Read this book and use it for your growing purposes!!
Luz Shiva Futten
Book Description
This is a must have book for admirers of the Dalai Lama and is an ideal gift.
Customer Reviews:
Simple Path / Graduate Level Book.......2003-12-23
(3.75 Stars)
The cover of the book is so warm and inviting. His Holiness The Dalai Lama smiling at you with mouth and eyes. Every time I look at it I smile. I'm tempted to cut the cover off and frame it...
The book discusses in great detail the 4 Noble Truths.
It's difficult to write a review on books regarding Buddhism. Everyone's experience will be different and everyone's understanding will be different and I don't want to discourage anyone from exploring The Path...
For myself I found this book difficult to follow. Someone else may take to it better and find it an easier to understand (I ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer)
I felt like a freshmen walking in late to a lecture and the audience and class this was for was all graduate students. I felt like I missed the beginning of the talk and that the level of content was for more advanced students.
I do not recommend this to a newcomer to Buddhism, again I found the "level" to be more advanced, but that's your call and like I said you may take to it better than I did and hey - it's your path.
I did get things out of the book and did learn some things. I felt incredibly honored to be reading the words of HH The Dalai Lama and that's what kept me reading.
The photographs are absolutely beautiful! - and again - I love the cover!
A wonderful introduction.......2001-06-18
Although this book doesnt get into anything complex, it is a wonderful book for people new to Buddhism. Full of great pictures, and easy to read text, it introduces basics of Buddhism. It may favor with more Tibetan Buddhist information, but it does include other schools of Buddhism. Highly recommend
Simply beautiful.......2001-03-08
thorsons have done us a great service with the publication of this book. HH the dalai Lama gave a lecture on the 4 noble truths in england, and instead of merely publishing the text[good enough in and of itself},Thorsons has interspersed scores of color pictures of some of the finest photographs available,throughout the volume. Heavy bonded glossy photograhic paper is used,highlighting this amazing volume. The typeset is bold and clear,the pictures are breathtaking!Monasteries, monks praying, pilgrims outside the ptola palace,children playing...absolutely stunning photgraphs, perfectly compliment the text of His Holiness.And at this price?!?! What an exquisite book, and what a bargain. Absolutely magnificent! Highest recommendation.
A gorgeous volume with luscious photographs.......2000-10-27
I must confess, I picked up this book because it was just so lovely! It is nicely bound, on superb high quality glossy paper, with stunning photographs of Tibet. Everything about it just makes you want to cradle, or worship, it.
Then there's the text. They took a lecture that H. H. the Dalai Lama gave on the 4 Noble Truths and cut it (thank heavens) and put it in the book. The result is weird. The extremely philosophical treatise makes an odd accompaniment to scenes of Tibet. On the one hand, you're reading about how all the world is suffering and we are ignorant louts for getting so caught up in this illusion, and then we glance at the photograph (every pair of pages has one, so you're always looking at something wonderful). I thought, "Gee, if I'm not supposed to care about the world, or I'm not supposed to delight in its pleasures and glories, then what is all this color and visual drama? Illusion?" Thus, the book highlights in an unwitting way one of the paradoxes of Buddhism... we try to disentangle ourselves from the grosser life of merely sensate pleasure but we can and should still love the world. Who says Christianity has a corner on the market of paradox?!
Still, there are some real textual gems and pearls scattered in the pages, and it is quick reading because of all the pictures. Occasionally you'll have to slog through a passage on Tibetan cosmology and physics, which sounds pretty medieval, but then you come across a glorious section that makes your heart sing.
It's a fun ride!
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