This Precious Life: Tibetan Buddhist Teachings on the Path to Enlightenment

by Khandro

Using the traditional Tibetan Buddhist framework of the Four Reminders—the preciousness of human birth, the truth of impermanence, the reality of suffering, and the inescapability of karma—Khandro Rinpoche explains why and how we could all better use this short life to pursue a spiritual path and make the world a better place. The book includes contemplative exercises that encourage us to appreciate the tremendous potential of the human body and mind.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2003

Reviews

[Ana Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante libro para acercarse a la visión budista. Bien explicado, sencillo y con ejercicios de meditación intercalados en el texto. Me ha sorprendido y aportado cosas valiosas

[Lawrence Pintak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Khandro Rinpoche is an amazing figure. I interviewed her in 2000 for one of the first articles on her published in the U.S. (https://tinyurl.com/mryhs8b5). Recognized as the incarnation of a renowned female Buddhist master, she exudes a powerful spiritual energy with mannerisms reminiscent of the nuns at the Catholic school in India where she studied. This book is one of the most recent compilations of her profound inspiring teachings.

[Sierra Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written with amazing clarity. The various angles on existence can change your views. Harnessing the mind can lead to a life of happiness. The descriptions of the teachings in this book are made understandable.

[Pointless And Proud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Direct and to the point

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Khandro Rinpoche, one of the few high level women teachers in Tibetan Buddhism, is a real "tell-it-like-it-is" teacher. She a strong sense of the ways that we can misunderstand and try to wiggle out of really grappling with the teachings, consciously or unconsciously, and presents the basic material that she is dealing with here in a fresh way. In this book she takes a look at the contemplations on the preciousness of human birth, impermanence, karma, and the suffering of the 6 realms of existence. The preciousness of our individual human life, one of the traditional 4 thoughts that turns the mind toward truth, is easy to mouth but not so easy to understand in its depth. Our human life is only precious if we make it so by really trying to live up to our potential. Contemplating impermanence gives a sense of urgency to make use of this opportunity and to not have regrets when death arrives unannounced. To understand suffering Khandro Rinpoche describes the 6 traditional realms of existence of the Buddhist cosmology, showing how our karma propels us into one or another. The fourth thought, that of karma, is easily the most challenging and complex, but she describes some very difficult concepts with great clarity. She breaks practice down into some contemplations that help us move into this material step-by-step. I think this book is useful for both for those relatively new to Buddhism, who are at the point of wanting to delve more deeply than mindfulness meditation, as well as to those who are doing more in depth work with these 4 thoughts, such as at the beginning of ngondro (preliminaries).

[Sherab · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we realise the preciousness of something? Often only by losing it. But do we have to lose our lives to understand their value?
Here, Khandro Rinpoche helps us see, without having to go through loss, that our human life is a rare and priceless opportunity. With clarity and compassion, she reminds us that just being alive with the ability to think, reflect, and grow is already like winning the greatest lottery.
She uses a striking image: the chances of being born human are like a bean falling from the sky and landing exactly on the tip of a needle. Yet here we are, living that miracle, often unaware, distracted, or even harming others.
What makes this book powerful is its ability to awaken reflection. Rinpoche’s teachings gently but firmly invite us to pause, become aware, and use our lives wisely. The book is a reminder that every breath is a second chance to cultivate awareness.
The language is simple, direct, and deeply moving.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a tumultuous time of my life for me to consider this philosophy! Khandro Rinpoche presents it (or her editors I suppose) in such a calming method.

Then again, what is the "it" I mean?

It is a soothing meditative lifestyle that therapists have been encouraging me to adopt so that I stop making a mess of myself in a panic.

If I weren't so distressed at the moment, I'd undoubtedly like this book much more. C'est la vie. At least I HAD been reading it for the past month-ish so that my level of distress was not as high as it has been in the past.

[Chris Lemig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing teaching on the Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind. These are the rarity of our human life, the reality of death, the suffering experienced by all beings in cyclic existence and the workings of cause and effect (karma). By contemplating these topics, we begin to understand why it is we are taking up a spiritual path. They motivate us to use our time wisely and not waste the uncertain time we have left.

[Kya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because I plan to take refuge vows with the author. I thought this book would clue me into how she interprets the dharma with regard to the vows. Wow! She described motivations and conditions I never would have thought. She is very direct and doesn't coddle the reader. And the contemplations throughout the book really challenge one to look at their views.

This was a quick read and I plan to reread this to really embody was was presented.

[mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely rocks. Best Buddhist book i've come across, and simply useful for anyone who happens to be human this lifetime.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one one of the best books I have read this year!

[A.B. McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rinpoche communicates clearly and succinctly, while casting a whole new light on commonly discussed Buddhist topics. The refuge chapter alone is worth rereading at least once every few months.

[Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, the chapters on the hell realms and refuge were eye opening as a beginner. I'll be sure to read again and again.