Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up: A Practical Approach for Modern Life

by B. Alan Wallace

As long as our minds are dominated by the conditions of the external world, we are bound to remain in a state of dissatisfaction, always vulnerable to grief and fear. How then can we develop an inner sense of well-being and redefine our relationship to a world that seems unavoidably painful and unkind?

Many have found a practical answer to that question in the 2,500-year-old teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Here at last is an organized overview of these teachings, beginning with the basic themes of the sutras - the general discourses of the Buddha - and continuing through the esoteric concepts and advanced practices of Tantra. Unlike other introductions to Tibetan Buddhism, this accessible, enjoyable work doesn't stop with theory and history, but relates timeless spiritual principles to the pressing issues of modern life, both in terms of our daily experience and our uniquely Western world view.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published October 9, 1993

Reviews

[Gerardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. And I have to say, this year I've read quite a number of introductory book to Buddhism, but this one's definitely made it for me.

Alan Wallace provides the reader with an overview of the entire Buddhist path, with a special focus on the Tibetan aspect of it. However, this does not mean he's only about Tibetan Buddhism; on the contrary, he explains the difference between the Individual Vehicle, the Universal Vehicle and the Diamond Vehicle, delimitating the commonalities and differences among them. Moreover, he speaks about everything a beginner (and even not so beginners)should or want to know about Buddhism: from reincarnation (down with it from one of the very first chapters) to the practice of ethics, from karma to the different kinds of meditations, and from taking refuge to what attaining Buddhahood implies both for oneself and all living beings. In doing this, Wallace uses both personal experience, scientific theories and quotations from Buddhist masters, thus keeping the reader's mind both enthralled and challenged, making him question his most basic beliefs about the nature of reality.

So, I'd really recommend this book to anyone new to Buddhism, but also to those wanting to learn more about this 2,600-year old religion/philosophy/contemplative science, aswell as to all who already have some knowledge on the path, but wish to shed some light or review from a privileged angle their practice.

[Vladimir · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways I'm tempted to say this is the best introduction to Buddhism I have read so far, but that would perhaps be too much - there are many books out there. What I like about it is that Alan Wallace doesn't start with typical overviews of different "flavors" of Buddhism, history or sociology of it. He immediately dives into the core Buddhist themes - rebirth, karma, emptiness, impermanence, etc. He outlines the practice in broad strokes but never fails to remain practical at the same time. If there is one thing that I think is particularly wonderful is that he devotes a lot of space to the side of Buddhism that is purposefully neglected by Western authors obsessed with science and rationality - a lot if written about rebirth and he goes into details about how stream of consciousness is transferred into another body, he devotes some space (though not enough, imo) to different realms of existence, etc. It's really refreshing to read someone who doesn't try to reduce Buddhism to meditation and then skip over its quite fascinating esoteric and mystical elements.

[Chris Bassett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t like the (dis)organization of this at all. Early and heavy emphasis on discussion of Buddhist belief of continued consciousness after death. Maybe if he called it “Tibetan Buddhism from the Top Down and Sometimes from the Side” I’d have enjoyed it more. The concepts are explained well. Just seemed a disordered mess.

[Dorum · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a series of essays without much structure. It doesn't pertain strictly to Tibetan buddhism except for the last few chapters. The worst part is chapter 15 which discusses the concept of emptiness. While the discussion there might have been somewhat relevant to an audience before modern times, to a modern reader it is antiquated and frankly stupid. A modern reader familiar with modern physics can easily explain the concept of color in very explicit terms that would not make one resort to something like "emptiness". Bare in mind, I don't say the concept is useless. I just say that this particular author had done a poor and unconvincing job of explaining it. Same goes for chapter 2 or 3 discussing about the survival of consciousness after death. The author wouldn't stand a chance against a rigurous philosopher. There are better ways of addressing the problems and concepts discussed.

Over all I was expecting a somewhat structured introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and this book was not it. Unconvincing and unstructured.

[Michela · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Il dharma nella vita quotidiana'. Bella panoramica sugli insegnamenti del Dharma per sviluppare un senso interiore di benessere. La scrittura semplice e pratica lo rende uno strumento adatto a ridefinire la nostra relazione con il mondo nella vita moderna.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview.

[Oleg Paralyush · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an excellent introduction to the basics. It helped me to organise my thinking about Buddhism. Moreover, it inspired me to move forward in my searching the Truth...

[Steve Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A set of 16 chapters, based on lectures by the author, that provide a background on Buddhist philosophy and practice. This is the book that introduced me to Buddhism, and I re-read it every so often. Each time it makes more sense given all that I have learned since, and each time I am faced with realizing how difficult spiritual progress is, and how far I have to go. But as the books says, attaining Buddhahood requires many, many lifetimes.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the not the funnest book I've ever read, nor is it full of charismatic, characterful writing but it is incredibly accessible and succinct, covering main theories and principles of Buddhism in an easy to read way.

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Очень полезная книжка, к сожалению, искалеченная не очень умелым переводом на русский. Переводчик, конечно, глубоко в теме и ас устного перевода (нам приходилось видеть его в деле), но вот перевод письменный, видимо, не его стезя. Когда приходится продираться сквозь ворохи словесной шелухи, от учения это скорее отвращает. Лучше все же читать ее в оригинале.

[Yaroslava Prysiazhna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Книга дает исчерпывающее представление об основных темах и практиках в буддизме. От Хинаяны до Ваджраяны. Книга — обзорная, но в то же время Алан Уоллес делает акценты на самых важных точках в каждой теме. Если вы еще ничего не знаете о буддизме, то это отличное пособие для начала!

[Bb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was left with no clear view of Buddhism, still interesting though.