Dalai Lama's Little Book of Compassion

by Dalai Lama XIV

Life is hard. Each of us face problems on a daily basis that often seem overwhelming and insoluble. In The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Compassion , the Dalai Lama tells us that while suffering is a given, we can overcome it by taking the path of compassion. In seven concise chapters, His Holiness explores the way of compassion by sharing his thoughts on contentment, joy, living well, facing death, dealing with anger, giving and receiving, and the necessity of interfaith cooperation. In addition to these short essays on specific topics, the Dalai Lama candidly responds to questions from students from around the world. He offers profound insights into the current ecological crisis, the political problems in Tibet, the nature of suffering, and much more. This small hardcover is a charming gift for all occasions and a devotional gem, ideal for those interested in the spiritual insight of one of today's great teachers.

Genres: Philosophy

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.

Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.

On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.

After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.

Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.

Reviews

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and didn’t find it to technical. I have read a lot of books on Buddhism and this sweet little book offers up valuable info on how to live well with joy, face death and dying, deal with anger, etc.

This isn’t a long book and can be read over and over to keep you on track.

A keeper in my library.

[Cinthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting reading. Most of the book is theoretical making it difficult to sometimes grasp concepts if you are not familiar with Buddhist philosophies, which I am not. It was not a light read, but there were several passages which brought up interest points of view and little pieces of wisdom that everyone can apply.

I would recommend reading only if you have some previous knowledge in philosophy or Buddhism.

[Adam Raskind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening and astonishing so far. He is one wise, serene human being.

[Mark Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Thought-provoking early on, but it went awry midway to the end in the Q and A. Was prepared to be inspired and goaded into seeing anew, but alas, left empty and uninspired.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dalai Lama teaches compassion and kindness, something we can all do with more of.