The Heart of the Buddha's Path

by Dalai Lama XIV

Includes lectures by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on the Buddhist doctrines of compassion and the Four Noble Truths.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion

226 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2000

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

[Katrīna · Rating 4 out of 5]

(es nepieversisos budismam sis tiri intereses pec)

[Brad McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delves more into the specifics of Buddhism, which isn't too surprising given the name of it. Being such a scholar of Buddhism, His Holiness actually presents different topics, like the doctrine of emptiness from the points of view of different schools within Buddhism. It's really interesting that saying "Buddhism" is like saying "Protestant"; you get the general idea, but there are many differences from denomination to denomination.

The second half of the book take each of the Four Noble Truths and really gets down to what exactly is meant. Here, too, is a highlight of how different schools vary. I learned the Four Noble Truths to be:

1.) Suffering is universal.
2.) Attachment is the cause of suffering.
3.) There is an end to suffering.
4.) The Eightfold Path is how to get to the end.

This book presents them a little differently. I can't tell you how, specifically, and not because I'm trying to get you to read the book (which I am) but because I don't have it in front of me.


One last comment, here I finally wrapped my head around the emptiness doctrine (I think). It's not that everything is an illusion and therefore nothing exists, but rather because of the doctrine of interdependence, nothing exists independently and thus nothing can innately exist. The emptiness has more to do with lack of independent origination than it does with lack of existing.

Deep stuff.

[howsoonisnow · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book comprises of lectures and Q&A sessions by the Dalai Lama, presented in an awkward haphazard way. I was keen to pick this man's brains, because he is considered to potentially be one of the world's current leaders in the Buddhist faith. Unfortunately, the translation is stiff, clumsy and verbose, and the Q&A sections often distant and unhelpful i.e. the Dalai Lama often dodges or ignores challenging questions like a skilled politician. Explanations of the tenets of Buddhism (including famous concepts such as reincarnation and karma), were worthwhile, but worded in an unduly technical, verbose, repetitive and complex manner. The result was an oft dull, mundane and trudging book which fails to reveal the Dalai Lama's innermost thoughts, providing instead, a glancing superficial view of the sleek, distant and cautious exterior of an experienced politician and diplomat.

[Megan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book. The Dalai Lama really explains everything simply yet thoroughly. I particularly liked that he has a great way of seeing the current world, he acknowledges the religious view on certain issues such as birth control but looks at it from a modern religious perspective. He is incredibly intelligent and humble and articulate but in a way that even the simplest mind could understand Buddhism.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some beautiful passages and there are some parts that just need to be brought down to earth. When he connects with an idea, it connects deeply though and it would be something for someone more knowledgeable of Buddhist principles.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, simple reminders of how to bring a better mind to every day life. Love this book!

[Candice Roma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginner book for those just learning about Buddhism.

[Linda Beldava · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dalailamas runu un atbilžu apkopojums. Nedaudz par gudru manam līmenim. Pēdējā nodaļa bija priekš manis. :)

[Bababunmi Fashola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spiritual book that guide you towards seeking the enlightenment. The explanation of the Buddhism principles does shed the light of the mind. The concept behind Buddhism does gave you something to dwell on. A slow read in understanding the principles is the key here.

This book indeed pose a questions that may seek to challenged your fundamental belief especially in a way you perceived things or situation.

[Gary Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting