In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

by Dalai Lama XIV, Rajiv Mehrotra (Editor)

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is celebrated as Buddhism’s preeminent spiritual master and teacher, embodying the highest aspirations of this rich tradition that is more than 2,500 years old. With both profundity and simplicity, he has carried the nuanced teachings of the Buddha to the far corners of the globe, and in the process has touched and transformed millions of lives. Like the Buddha himself, the Dalai Lama, with his ever-smiling face, reaches out to people in ways that connect to their individual mental dispositions, abilities, and everyday realities. Buddhism, which never seeks to proselytize, has been made accessible by the Dalai Lama to both non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike so that we may all learn from one of the most valuable strands of our shared heritage. This fascinating book brings together extracts from some of His Holiness’s most powerful writings and talks. As he explains the elements of the Buddha’s teachings and the basic practices of meditation, he also engages and reconciles the innovations of modern science with Buddhist perspectives. Ultimately, His Holiness calls for the celebration of diversity and the recognition of interdependence that breeds a sense of Universal Responsibility—which must govern all of our relationships in this increasingly fragmented world. Serving as the perfect introduction to the Dalai Lama’s philosophy, both Buddhist and secular, In My Own Words is just the book for gleaning insights into the mind of one of the world’s greatest spiritual icons.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Biography, Self Help

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2001

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

[Splendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

How dare a common human like me give only 3 stars to a book written by “His Holiness,” an internationally renowned spiritual leader!? Damn! Let’s just jump right into the parts that I’m struggling with, rather than dwell on the fact that I’m stepping to a teacher who is spiritually as great as the ocean.

The Dalai Lama explains again and again that, “achieving the perfection of ethics means that you attain a state of mind that refrains from harming sentient beings in any way at all.” Non-violence is a core belief of the philosophy and teaching of Buddhism. Yet, vegetarianism is not a critical part of the practice. Why?

“Sentient beings” are living things with consciousness or awareness of life itself. That is, living things that understand or experience the physiological state of existence or some sort of capacity for thinking and feeling. Envision a mama gorilla, resting on a tree branch, cradling her baby. Think of a fluffy cat, curled up with a pile of her kitten offspring, basking in the sunshine. These animals live and love. They rejoice and suffer, just like humans. Is human life more valuable than the life of a pig or a puppy or a parrot? Is killing animals for food somehow not the same as other killing?

There is a short chapter about how to meditate. Meditation is taken very seriously. He says, “In order to develop the awakened mind, we must meditate; it cannot be cultivated merely by wishful thinking and prayers.” I’m not doubting there are probably benefits of meditation, but isn’t this a very fine line to draw? Between the three: has anyone actually proven that meditation is more effective or powerful than prayer or wishful thinking? To me, the three are equal methods of finding balance of mind and until someone can prove otherwise, then I can’t buy into the hierarchy.

Next on my list of concerns is the idea that we should live our current life with the understanding that our situation is temporary and it may have been entirely different in a previous life. He explains that the way to cultivate balance of mind and peacefulness is to think about your relationships with your enemies in terms of your past life relationship to them. In your past life, your enemies may have been your parents! This line of thinking relies on the belief of past lives and reincarnation, which is purely pseudoscience. This is just another form of relying on the supernatural to dictate your morals and actions.

Reincarnation is not supported by any scientific evidence, putting it on the same plane as the idea that God that can actually hear our prayers or punish us when we take his name in vain. So to believe reincarnation would be an equal “leap of faith” as believing in the power of sin. And that’s where I lose interest. Or rather, that is where I realize that I am not included in the vast majority of people who use religion to endure life’s difficulties, and religion has little or nothing to do with reason. Perhaps I am just barking up the wrong enlightened tree.

I read this book because I had an interesting conversation recently with Susanna about “Touching Peace” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Well, the public library was fresh out of “Teaching Peace,” so I reached for this book and I’m left feeling just as skeptical and intrigued as I was before I read the book. However, I don’t want to come off as a total Buddha basher! There was a lot about this book that was meaningful and worthwhile.

The Dalai Lama provides a simple answer to the question that has haunted mankind for all time: What is the meaning of life? To the Dalai Lama it’s simple-- the purpose of life is happiness and the need for love forms the very foundation of human existence. Now, there’s a simple concept I can get behind. If all the world’s powerful leaders could change from using anger and hatred to dominate and would switch to The Dalai Lama’s position that we should lead with compassion, then the world would be a better place.

Onward!

[Isaac Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

En mis propias palabras:
Esperaba más.

[Vilhelm · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better books by/about HHDL's teachings, in a short summarizing introduction. 3 strong stars.

Some of my notes:
- The meaning of life is to be happy. The most basic and universal fact about living beings is that we all want to be happy and avoid suffering.
- The fact of this basic universality can immensely help us feeling closer to one another, regardless of external circumstances. Consider that whoever you meet, that living being simply wants to be happy, just like you.
- The deepest source of happiness is to be loved, and to receive as much love as possible we should be as loving as possible. So cultivate loving kindness!
- Our enemies are our best teachers/opportunities for practicing loving kindness. Use that fact to practice towards them.
- His take on the four noble truths:
- Everything that gives happiness will pass away (impermanence), so there is suffering.
- Not seeing this (ignorance) leads to attachment to those things, and negative emotions as they pass away. So suffering has a cause (ignorance).
- Eliminating this cause (ignorance->attachment->negative emotions) eliminates suffering, so there can be cessation of suffering.
- The way to eliminate the cause of suffering is by following the noble eightfold path.
- Emptiness: By the law of cause & effect, nothing exists independently, everything is dependent on and arise by specific conditions. And on the most subtle level, this is happening every moment (impermanence).
- Selflessness follows from emptiness - there is no unchanging/independent/free agent/self/I. The ignorance of selflessness leads to the separation between I and other, which leads to attachment and all other afflictions.
- Consciousness and rebirth (I'll just put it out here how I understand it in short, but will put my criticism and counterargument in my review on The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying): We are our consciousness, which as everything else must have a cause. That cause must be of a similar nature as our consciousness, so it must be a consciousness from an earlier moment. So there is a 'continuity' of consciousness that cannot have been created by anything other than a previous state of consciousness, and that similarly cannot be destroyed. So there must be consciousness after death.
- The Awakening Mind - the intention to achieve Buddhahood in order to free all beings from suffering. It's like the seed of Buddhahood and seen as a requirement to enter the path towards enlightenment. Within Tibetan Buddhism this is essential, and practitioners generate it through cultivating loving kindness.
- The usual pleads for peace, democracy and universal nonviolence are as always wonderfully put and very compassionate, even though some of them (unfortunately) just seem too far fetched given our global reality. But reading about the Tibet he wants is heartbreaking, because it was a beautiful reality that somehow seems so very unlikely to ever be again.

I think the chapters on meditation and transforming the mind are not entirely clear. He emphasize meditating on logical reasonings about things like emptiness, impermanence or the fact that being good to others is the only way to lasting happiness. So it's mostly about cultivating states of mind, which we need concentration and mindfulness in order to do. It's the description of this that isn't satisfying me, consisting of too many enumerations (the five faults, the nine states of concentration, the four mental activities etc.) that doesn't always seem to map completely to reality, something you often stumble upon in Buddhist teachings.

Also, he is talking a lot about emptiness, conditioned arising and cause & effect, and it's either unnecessarily complicated and repetitive, or there's something I'm missing about it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

His Holiness The Dalai Lama is nothing is not prolific. His website lists over 100 books he has written or co-written since the 1960s, ranging from autobiographies to scientific essays on particle physics, instructions on meditation, and a Buddhist perspective on the teachings of Jesus. In My Own Words provides a brief explanation of his foundational beliefs and opinions on how they apply in various circles of influence.

The very essence of Buddhism, according to the Dalai Lama, is “interdependence coupled with non-violence.” In other words, we are all connected to each other and, consequently, any violence done to another is, in reality, violence done to ourselves. Therefore, “whatever you do should benefit others.” And not just in our personal lives. “Altruism should be a driving force in business” as well. Breaking into global politics, he claims that economic inequality “remains the greatest source of suffering on this planet.” True compassion is a firm commitment an individual makes that is founded on reason. However, “good wishes alone are not enough.” Good intentions or thoughts are insufficient. “We have to assume responsibility” for making needed changes in ourselves and the world.

Meditation is a powerful tool in the Buddhist tradition. Its main purpose is to “train the mind” to focus outside of oneself, to be mindful in all actions, and to accept what is. Emotions can be mastered, good habits can be formed, changes can be made when the mind is prepared and properly disciplined.

Regarding other faiths, the Dalai Lama states that “all religions are means to help us become better.” Rather than the divisive stance taken by some regarding differences in religions, the Dalai Lama describes the purpose of religion: “to cultivate positive human qualities” such as tolerance, generosity, love. Religions exist to reduce selfishness and to help us learn to serve others and “each religious tradition has immense intrinsic value and the means for providing mental and spiritual health.” This world needs more compassionate, inclusive, and welcoming voices like the Dalai Lama's.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profound, deep. Nothing short of a philosophical mind and a good understanding of Buddhism would be needed to understand the work of His Holiness, and unfortunately, I am nowhere near that level.

But it is still enlightening to read through and grasp the tiny little fragments of his thoughts every little now and then. Here's one of my favorite extract from the book:

"Every world religion, no matter what its philosophical view, is founded first and foremost on the precept that we must reduce our selfishness and serve others. Unfortunately, sometimes religion itself causes more quarrels than it solves. Practitioners of different faiths should realize that each religious tradition has immense intrinsic value and the means for providing mental and spiritual health.

One religion, like a single type of food, cannot satisfy everybody. According to their varying mental dispositions, some people benefit from one kind of teaching, others from another. Each faith has the ability to produce fine, warmhearted peoplel and despite their espousal of often-contradictory philosophies, all religions have succeeded in doing so. Thus, there is no reason to engage in divisive religious bigotry and intolerance, and every reason to cherish and respect all forms of spiritual practice."

Now, is it me, or do I feel more peaceful while reading the book?

[Elliot Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. It clarifies, in very simple terms, why problems exist in the world, and the ways to deal with, and ideally, eradicate them.

It all starts with the individual and radiates from there.

If you've read books on Buddhism, dharma, about compassion, love, and mindfulness, then this book won't be new, but it will be a good reminder, something I think we all need, of what we need to constantly do in our lives. And for that, I really appreciate this book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for those who wants to read about Buddhism from the basics.

[Ispirian Hovhannes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Первое мое знакомство с Далай-ламой, мне очень понравилось. Выписал себе важные мысли, которые беру в проработку. Вот некоторые ключевые отрывки для меня.

"Омрачения являются основной причиной перерождения в самсаре, или циклического существования. В отсутствие омрачений кармические деяния не имели бы силы вызывать перерождение; они стали бы подобны сгоревшим семенам. Очень важно искать противоядия от омрачений, а для этого, прежде всего, необходимо умение идентифицировать омрачения. Поэтому нам следует очень четко представлять общие и индивидуальные характеристики омрачений. Необходимо укротить одного внутреннего врага - омрачение. Внешние враги могут казаться очень опаснымм, но в будущих жизнях они могли бы оказаться нашими друзьями. Даже сейчас они дают нам возможность практиковать терпимость и сострадание, потому что, по сути, мы все одинаковые: все мы желаем счастья и не хотим страданий. Но внутренний враг - омрачение - не имеет положительных качеств: с ним должно только сражаться и уничтожать. Таким образом, нам необходимо четко идентифицировать врага и разобраться в том, как он действует. Любое ментальное состояние, которое нарушает спокойствие ума и вызывает ментальные страдания, которое сокрушает, беспокоит и мучает ум, является омрачением."

"Некоторые из основных омрачений.
- Привязанность, которая заключается в сильной тяге к красивым людям, красивым вещам или приятным переживаниям. От привязанности очень сложно избавиться; она проявляется в том, что ум как будто "прилипает" к объекту.
- Гнев. Когда люди гневается, мы сразу замечаем, что они теряют самообладание: лицо краснеет и покрывается морщинами, и даже глаза наливаются кровью. Объект гнева, одушевленный или неодушевленный, воспринимается как нежелательный или отталкивающий. Гнев является проявлением неукрощенного ума, очень грубого, неуравновешенного.
- Гордыня. Состояние ума, при котором человек кичится своим статусом, положением и знаниями и в основе которого лежит эгоцентризм. Вне зависимости от того, действительно ли человек достиг чего-то или нет, он становится высокомерным. Тот, а котором гордыня глубоко пустила корни, бывает очень напыщенным и надутым.
- Невежество, которое приводит к неверному пониманию сути Четырех Благородных истин, закона Кармы и сомнениям, которые расшатывает убежденность в их существовании."

"Страдания не возникают беспричинно и не созданы неким всемогущим Богом. Они являются продуктами наших собственных заблуждений и кармических деяний, порожденных неукрощенным умом. Основной причиной страданий является невежество, которое выражается в неверном понимании природы явлений и восприятии себя как самосущего "я". Это невежество приводит нас к преувеличению статуса явления и порождению категорий "я" и "другие". В результате возникают желание и ненависть, следствием которых являются всевозможные негативные действия, которые, в свою очередь, вызывают все не желаемые нами страдания. Поскольку мы не хотим этих страданий, нам следует определить, можно ли избавиться от них. Если невежество дает неверное представление о внутренне присущем существовании и является ошибочным сознанием, то его можно уничтожить, исправив ошибку. Этого можно достичь, сформировав в своем сознании мудрость, прямо противостоящую упомянутому невежеству, мудрость, осознающую отсутсвие самосущности.
Сравним эти два состояния ума. Одно характеризуется верой в самосущность и ощущением самости и может казаться очень сильным и мощным, но, поскольку это ошибочное сознание, оно лишено логической основы. Другое состояние ума характеризуется пониманием отсутствия самости и на первоначальном этапе может быть слабым, но у него есть логическая поддержка. Раньше или позже эта мудрость осознания бессамости одержит верх. На начальном этапе истина может казаться не явной, но по мере нашего приближения к ней она становится все более очевидной. Нечто ложное на начальном этапе может казаться очень прочным и устойчивым, но, по мере того как мы все глубже исследуем его, оно становится все более призрачным и в конце концов исчезает."

"Поняв, что в природе всего существования в круговороте бытия заложено страдание, нам следует вырабатывать искреннее желание освободиться от него. Движимые этим желанием, мы можем вступить на путь трех видов обучения: обучение нравственности, сосредоточению и мудрости. Из этих трех видов именно мудрость осознания бессамости является противоядием, которое уничтожает омрачения. В качестве основы мудрости нам прежде всего требуется ментальная стабильность сосредоточения, которая, в свою очередь, зависит от соблюдения подлинной нравственности. Поэтому нам также необходимо обучение нравственности. На начальном этапе первоочередное внимание следует уделить практике нравственности; это первоочередная необходимость."

"Основой всей практики Дхармы являются сосредоточение и интроспекция. Для подлинного соблюдения нравственности требуется умение интроспекции и надлежащее сосредоточение. Для мирян, как мужчин, так и женщин соблюдение подлинной нравственности, воздержание от недобродетельных поступков являются основой практики пути, ведущего к просветлению. Если мы в поисках более возвышенных практик отмахнемся от практической потребности, каковой является соблюдение нравственности, то наша практика окажется всего лишь притворством. Практикуя три вида обучения - обучение нравственности, сосредоточению и мудрости - мы должны работать над достижением освобождением не только для себя, но также для других живых существ."

[Senthil · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is really fascinating to read, especially for personal growth. Most of the chapters, I believe, hold important moral and ethical value to any person living on earth. However, there are parts of the books that would not agree with someone who is not strictly Buddhist. I feel it is important that people are aware of this when they read it: It is a religious and spiritual book about Buddhism.

[EDUARDO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un gran libro que resume de manera clara algunos conceptos fundamentales del budismo, sin adentrarse tanto a la práctica religiosa, y que me parece, ayudan mucho para los tiempos actuales, así como para trabajar de manera personal en el bienestar y la felicidad tanto propios como de con quienes convivimos.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read but seemed a bit disjointed. The book had a myriad of topics and all were great! BUT - I don’t really understand what the overall theme or beginning and end were to encompass. That said, each topic had great content and nice to read straight from the Dalai Lama’s words.

[Rodrigo Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una gran inspiracion
para comenzar el camino.

Un llamado e invitación al despertar desde la sabiduría y experiencia
de un gran maestro. Si hay búsqueda en ti, esta lectura puede ser el unicio.

[Kate lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and thought the teachings of the Dalai Lama were interesting and align with my beliefs and values. Although I will say to open this book with an open mind

[Pavel Pavlidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Μια κατάθεση ψυχής από Δαλάι Λάμα, μια γνωριμία για τον αναγνώστη με διδασκαλία του βουδισμού και την φιλοσοφία του.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it maybe a week or two ago.
I really enjoyed it. I don't know much about buddhism, but I felt this was a good introduction and I plan to read more books on buddhism.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Besides it's beautiful message and path to controlling one's mind, Buddhism is the religion of lists and sub-lists! I began taking notes of every list (The Four Noble Truths, The Eight-Fold Path, The Three Jewels, the Four Buddhist Seals, The Six Sentient Beings, The Five Desirous Attributes...etc.) and found that there were too many (with the sub-lists) to keep order on my paper. Clearly, one must absorb the Dharma slowly.

This quick read is an excellent introduction to Buddhism and to the thoughts of the Dalai Lama. What an extraordinary and inspirational man he is!

There were many portions of this book I enjoyed. Here is the one that stood out most:

"Even if all the gods in the universe joined forces against, you, if every living being became hostile towards you, they would not have the power to send you to hell. Disturbing emotions, on the other hand, can deliver you to hell in a single instant. This is why disturbing emotions have been our enemy from beginningless time, harming and destroying us. There has never been an enemy so enduring as these disturbing emotions. Ordinary enemies die and disappear. If you comply with the wishes of an ordinary enemy, gradually he or she will become your friend. Your enemy will become someone who brings you benefit. In the case of disturbing emotions, the more you rely on them, the more they will harm you and bring suffering to you. They have been our constant enemy, the sole cause of all our sufferings. As long as we let this enemy reside peacefully with us, we will have no happiness.

When you wage a war with an ordinary enemy, you might gain victory and drive the enemy from your country. Ordinary enemies can regroup, reinforce, and re-equip themselves and return to the battle. But when you fight disturbing emotions, once you have defeated and eliminated them, they cannot return (p. 82)."

[Sujata Sahni]

At the Society of Neuro Science, Dalai Lama mentioned that the scientific understanding of the human brain, study of individual genes at the subtlest level and the developments in genetics has resulted in unforseen technological possibilities of manipulating the very codes of life thereby giving rise to the likelihood of creating entirely new realities for humanity.

Mordern neuro science has developed a good understanding of brain mechanism associated with attention and emotion. Buddhism offers practial techniques for refining attention, regulating and transforming emotion.

Delusion is the chief cause of cyclical suffering. They are attachment, anger, pride, ignorance and doubt. You have to learn to tame the enemy within. Both positive and negative experiences arise from the mind, depending on whether your mind is transformed or not. It is therefore important to discipline and control the mind and mantain mindfulness.

Your mind is your greatest friend if you control it but it is your greatest enemy if it controls you. Bhagwad Gita

[Brian Welsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm no expert on Buddhism, but from my brief readings so far, I believe the Dalai Lama covers the basic aspects of Buddhism. He covers it from a Tibetan traditional view point, which I'm not certain is the correct path for me. The chapters are logically broken up and simply enough written to get a general overview. I wish he would use more and better examples/analogies during his explanations. In trying to stick with abstract generalities, it sometimes took a while to struggle through certain concepts.

The book probably left me with more questions than I had before reading it, but as it's only an introduction that should be somewhat expected and simply means I'm left with wanting to understand Buddhism in more detail. I recommend this to anyone with at least a passing interest in Buddhism.

[Ubah Khasimuddin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book on the Buddhist philosophies and religion - I'm trying to read more of these to be a better person. This book is a little tough to slog through because it does get into more deep analysis, and many a time I had to go back and re-read sections to try to understand the concept and practice but well worth the effort.
I enjoyed learning about the stages of Buddhism and the origins of the religion; particularly the ideas surrounding how Buddhist's look at death (not to be feared but as a release to the next stage of life, you only have to fear death if you have been bad in the current life).
I would have liked a bit more practical advice, such as how to incorporate Buddhist teachings into my everyday life but on the whole, I would recommend this book; its not a light read (so don't take to the beach).

[darío hereñú · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lejos de los dogmas, está el resultado de una filosofìa milenaria.
Sentido común a más no poder, rechazo total (alguna vez el príncipe Gauthama del clan Sakya se permitió uno) a los milagros.
Religión basada en la libertad y principalmente, en la fortaleza mental, la compasión, el amor al otro, el respeto al enemigo (tu enemigo es tu mejor amigo, señala el Dalai Lama).
Se puede estar o no de acuerdo con esta religiòn (lo es?), pero cuando uno se compromete con ella, uno termina siendo otra persona.

No soy para nada objetivo con mi rating.

Creo que el mundo sería otro si vivenciaramos la vida como lo hacen los budistas.



Thanks Michelle for your introduction & inner calm and youthful wisdom (rare at your twenties :)

[Don Moman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of pieces that H.H. the Dalai Lama has written elsewhere edited together to form an introduction to Buddhism. It is the first Buddhist book I've read, and I think it succeeds as an introduction to Buddhism. Where it is good, it is amazing. His Holiness obviously deserves to be considered among the great practitioners of moral and philosophical spirituality (with folk like Epicurus or St. Francis or Mr. Rogers). His writings on happiness and compassion are inspiring, especially since they seem to be backed up by the life that he leads.

However, due to the nature of this book, it feels very disjointed. It is not a systematic introduction. And it would have benefited from its editor (Rajiv Mehrotra) providing some context or commentary on the pieces he presents.

[Jean-Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read introduction to the tenants of Tibetan Buddhism, this book is a collection of the Dalia Lama's most accessible works on topics ranging from "compassion" to "karma." For those folks curious about just what makes the 14th Dalia Lama such an engaging media/historical figure, this particular translation and presentation allows for his world-view and attitude to come alive in a way that matches his public persona.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was interesting, as was the topic. I was very surprised by the number of elements that I strongly disagree with. I thought Buddhism was more of a philosophy than a religion but there were so many parts of this book that seemed more like an organized religion, from a behavioral perspective, than I had hoped. It's certainly thought-provoking though so although I don't necessarily agree with a lot of it, I still appreciated reading it.

[Austen Waite · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a crash course in some of the main theological ideas of Buddhism then this isn't a bad place to start. I found this book did go quite fast at times, some things may have required a more comprehensive explanation, but overall a decent book which I may re-read at a later date. (One thing I did enjoy about this edition was the amount of sentences which finished at the bottom of the page...)

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read. If anything, this book just makes me aware of how little I know about Buddhism and how large the philosophical gulf between Zen and mainstream Buddhism seems to be. From what I've read so far, I prefer Zen, though that's definitely a subjective opinion. The book does a good job of communicating His Holiness's philosophies, and therefore can hardly be faulted for doing exactly what it says on the dust jacket.

[Rubina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good basic introduction to the teachings of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama explains the history, concepts and intentions of Buddhism before proceeding to teach about the Four Noble Truths, how to transform the mind, practice mindfulness and an awakening mind. There are still aspects of the teachings on Emptiness that I am trying to understand though.

[Renn J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pretty let down by this read. It had great info and insight i just found myself bored reading it very often. Im almost tempted to rate it 2 stars but i respect the author so much i would feel bad! I usually highlight like crazy while reading and found myself highlighting very seldom and just couldn't get into this. :(

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the Dalai Lama's beliefs. I found his thoughts on human nature, policy, science, and the modern world more clear and useful than his explanation of Buddhist religious traditions.

[Johnny Stork, MSc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional introductory book from the Dalai Lama. Great first-read for anyone interested in his basic philosophies and teachings. Highly secular and applicable, or of value, to anyone with an interest in living a spiritual and harmonious life.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who does not know much about Buddhism, I appreciated the straight-forward, simple writing style. It has a good overview of the basic beliefs of Buddhism and how to practice those beliefs. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in meditation or learning about different religions!