The Little Book Of Buddhism

by Dalai Lama XIV

Discover Buddhism with the world's most revered spiritual leader

This jewel of a book offers the core teachings on Buddhism applicable in daily life from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This is a classic timeless collection of advice and teachings about the importance of love and compassion, individual responsibility and awareness of the problems in everyday life.

Whoever you are, whatever your beliefs, the Dalai Lama’s words have the power to calm and inspire.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

144 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2019

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

[Nithesh S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tiny book. But it had a big impact on me. I read it in a single sitting. I read it a time when I was pissed off with the entire world. This is my favourite quote from the book.

"To develop patience, you need someone who wilfully hurts you. Such people give us the real opportunity to practice tolerance. They test our inner strength in a way that even our guru cannot. Basically, patience protects us from being discouraged."

[Ashwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a quick read. The book gives out basic codes of Buddhism ( mostly those that are common to all the various schools of Buddhism ). These philosophical insights can not only help one get a basic idea of Buddhism but also lead a better life.

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally this is book contains a collection of quotes by His Holiness the Dalai Lama IV.
For those who are still unfamiliar with Buddhism, this little book will give you the perfect introduction—the words are light yet meaningful, above all, it is very practical for everyday life.
Enabling you to have a general understanding about the core essence of Buddhism, help you to love and live better, also most importantly discover the peace within.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small book full of quotes from the Dalai Lama and each quote is rather profound. This is a great book for picking a quote to contemplate on or to get a solid grounding in the mindset of Tibetan Buddhists. It is quickly read all at once but should be digested in small chunks to let the wisdom sink in.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction into Buddhism with a collection of advice and teachings. Only wish some teachings had more explanation but understand it’s meant to be a bite-size book meant to calm and inspire. Definitely spoke to me and spiked my curiosity to explore these teachings further.

[Libby Rechael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe that the short quotes in this book are meant to provoke one to introspect and to a large extent they do. I would have loved to see some of them expounded on a little. Nonetheless, it is a little handy book to constantly refer to.

[Isaac Perez Moncho · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a little book, useful as a reminder of some Buddist "principles" and teachings, but not very useful on its own.

[Harry Laban ♫︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A neat collection of phrases and thoughts of HHTDL, almost Dhammapada-ish in presentation, but a nice quick read that could be fun to flick through every now and then.

[evie eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy, liked many quotes

[Hayden Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, each page page is a short quote or idea based on Buddhism. Nice to ready and very peaceful.

[Adam Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely insights on many of the pages, some knowledge and awareness of the religion is required.

[Jolene Modd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find this book a useful tool for guidance

[Ashley Lhérisson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about how we are the creators of our own happiness and suffering and how to improve your state of mind and discover peace within. Assumes a basic knowledge of buddhism. Left me wanting more - could have been better. Final quote was good: "It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others."

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read.

[Rajagopal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little, Precise, thought provoking.