Questions for the Dalai Lama: Answers on Love, Success, Happiness, & the Meaning of Life

by Dede Cummings (Editor), Dalai Lama XIV (Commentary), Lauren Alderfer (Foreword)

For centuries, millions upon millions of people have sought out the wisdom of the Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso, the current and XIV Dalai Lama, has traveled the world, spreading his personal doctrine of compassion and understanding. His sage words resonate with all who hear him speak, encompassing topics as grand as world peace, and as simple as learning to love ourselves.
 
Presented in a clear, elegant format, Questions for the Dalai Lama poses universal questions, giving answers from the Dalai Lama himself, assembled from quotes, articles, speeches, and written works directly attributed to His Holiness. Organized into several themes, Questions for the Dalai Lama touches on themes ranging from love, to tragedy, to compassion and happiness.
 
Drawing on the enduring words of His Holiness, this inspirational book makes a wonderful gift for anyone seeking greater personal happiness and a life informed by compassion and wisdom. Organized into sections and built around a simple, informal question and answer format, Questions for the Dalai Lama is easy to understand, and easy to share with friends and loved ones.
 
“The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.”
 —XIV Dalai Lama

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Religion

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Dede Cummings is a writer, award-winning book designer, publisher, and former commentator for Vermont Public Radio. At Middlebury College, she was the recipient of the Mary Dunning Thwing Award and attended the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference as an undergraduate fellow. In 1991, she received a fellowship to study with Hayden Carruth at the Bennington Writers’ Workshop. In 2013, she returned as a poetry contributor to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. Her poetry has been published in Mademoiselle, Connotation Press, MomEgg Review, Green Mountains Review, among others, and anthologized in Roads Taken: Contemporary Vermont Poetry and Healing the Divide: Poems of Kindness and Connection. She was a Discover/The Nation poetry semi-finalist. In 2016, she was awarded a writer’s grant from the Vermont Studio Center. Her first poetry collection entitled To Look Out From was the winner of the 2016 Homebound Publications Poetry Prize and was published in 2017. Her second poetry collection, The Meeting Place, was published in 2020 by Salmon Poetry. Dede lives in Vermont, where she designs books and is the founder and publisher of www.greenwriterspress.com, a global press devoted to environmental activism, social justice, and sustainable publishing.

Dede lives in Brattleboro, Vermont, in a house built by her husband, Steve Carmichael. They have three children, Sam, Emma, and Joey. After Dede's most recent hospital stay and surgery for Crohn's disease in 2006, she began hiking the Long Trail (the length of Vermont) in one week sections, beginning to realize a long-term goal that had been put off due to illness.

Living With Crohn's & Colitis was her first published book. Her second book, "Cooking Well: IBS" came out October 25, 2011, and it is a description of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and a helpful guide with lifestyle tips and over 100 recipes. The author was first diagnosed with IBS in her 20s, and it is her hope that by reading these books, people will become educated and informed about how lifestyle and diet are key to maintaining health in today's world. Book Number Three in this series is The Living With Crohn's & Colitis Cookbook.

Dede has published organic and holistic lifestyle series for Skyhorse, including The Medicinal Gardening Handbook, The Organic Gardening Handbook, and The Good Living Guide to Beekeeping.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is our enemies who provide us with the challenge we need to develop the qualities of tolerance, patience, and compassion."

I guess I could use a little work in the compassion department. Resist the urge to strangle the co-worker whose continued employment defies logic! Instead..."if it is necessary to express your views and take strong countermeasures, do so without anger or ill-intent". Fine, I'll try.

On a completely random note, I worked with the Dalai Lama's niece for a short time. True story! She was very nice and said that the Dalai Lama loved to joke around with all the little kids. She also told me to fold my hands. If I approach a problem the same way, it will bounce off (a knuckle) and never be solved. I need to try many approaches in viewing an issue in order to solve it. She eventually quit, I'm assuming because she realized she was the niece of the Dalai Lama and could do a lot better than our crummy job.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read with insightful passages.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually won this in a giveaway (exciting, since I rarely win anything!), and got to read it right away. A quick read, but very inspiring. Of course, how could you not want to read answers from His Holiness? Definitely a must read!

[Krashagi Saini · Rating 4 out of 5]

We often ponder upon questions like 'What is the meaning of life?', 'What is love?', 'How do we learn to love ourselves?', 'What is compassion?','Why are people so difficult?' etc etc
This book 'Questions for the Dalai Lama' touches on all the above questions and the themes ranging from love, to tragedy, to compassion and happiness.
The answers His Holiness gives are thoughts we can return to time and again: during life’s challenges, when contemplating happiness, or simply when seeking an inspiration for the day. Whatever the reason may be, may their meaning seep into your heart and mind, contributing to your own inner peace and happiness; and in so doing, creating greater peace and happiness in the world.
It is a good read for everyone who wants to live and lead a life full of happiness and peace.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very concise and to the point. Provides good points of wisdom on how to place the focus of your actions on helping others, rather than directly on yourself, in an effort to further enrich your life. If you want a book that can spur some moments of personal introspection and provide some motivating quotes, this is a book to consider.

[JDK1962 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, fast intro to the philosophy of the Dalai Lama. Nothing objectionable, but I find the Dalai Lama's writings (e.g., The Art of Happiness) to be perfectly accessible on their own. No need for editors or intermediaries. Still, as a sampler, it's fine.

[Dani Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Catholic in me feels guilty for not being happy enough.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite quote

Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Well said.

[Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading his books, they keep me grounded with perspective.

[Wiljar Ojuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Took many pictures of quotes that I intend on journaling. I appreciate the authenticity of this book and felt it was much needed for me to read in this present moment. Although I enjoyed reading this and found it helpful, I will admit there was only one area where I internally rebelled against. The quote was in regards to the purpose of all religions. The explanation in response to the question through me off. Maybe it’s just me. Nothing in life is perfect but the theme is to just love others and exude compassion.

[1unaaaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very inspiring book. I always look up to Hisd Holiness the Dalai Lama and he is one of my biggest inspiration. This book is easy to understand and read, and you don't even have to be a Buddhist to understand this book. This book is a very important reminder to let us remember some important value in life and how to become a better person with love, peace, kindness and compassion. I love this book and I wish more people can get to read this amazing book.

[Arindam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & beautiful yardsticks for everyday.

[Shannon McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassion

[JANICE]

Words of wisdom and solace

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with the book except that I wished his answers were longer and provided more rationale.