What do you think?
Rate this book
Be Angry
Simple and accessible wisdom from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on how to use compassionate anger for social transformation
In the real world, exploitation exists. In the real world, there is a huge and unjust gap between rich and poor. The question, from a Buddhist perspective, is how should we deal with inequality and social injustice? His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches that it is wrong for a spiritual person to remain indifferent; we must struggle to solve these problems. These problems are brought to our consciousness because they anger us, and this little book teaches us how to deal with that anger.
There are two types of anger. One type arises out of compassion and is useful and must be encouraged. The other type arises out of jealousy and envy and results in hatred, ill will, and harm. Here you will learn the Buddhist path to compassionate anger--a motivating force that can transform the negative into the positive and change the world.
In the real world, exploitation exists. In the real world, there is a huge and unjust gap between rich and poor. The question, from a Buddhist perspective, is how should we deal with inequality and social injustice? His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches that it is wrong for a spiritual person to remain indifferent; we must struggle to solve these problems. These problems are brought to our consciousness because they anger us, and this little book teaches us how to deal with that anger.
There are two types of anger. One type arises out of compassion and is useful and must be encouraged. The other type arises out of jealousy and envy and results in hatred, ill will, and harm. Here you will learn the Buddhist path to compassionate anger--a motivating force that can transform the negative into the positive and change the world.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
38 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,554 books6,195 followersJetsun 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 18, 2019
The Good Rage
War
Social Injustice
Domestic Violence
Child Abuse
Racism
....
Be angry! Be furious to all sorts of patterns assumed by the dark side of human soul! You have all the right to be steaming, fuming towards all the S**T performed by mankind!
That kind of rage is powerful, and according to Dalai Lama, it can be used to change the world 👍
War
Social Injustice
Domestic Violence
Child Abuse
Racism
....
Be angry! Be furious to all sorts of patterns assumed by the dark side of human soul! You have all the right to be steaming, fuming towards all the S**T performed by mankind!
That kind of rage is powerful, and according to Dalai Lama, it can be used to change the world 👍
October 17, 2019
It's hard to call this a book. Like so many "by Dalai Lama" books, it's a transcript of an interview. Which is difficult and unpleasant to read. Some haughty Buddhists might say that I am attached to a book being a certain way. But given the subject matter and title of this book, I feel quite justified in being angry at interviews being masqueraded as books. I'd prefer that the author takes the words and ideas that they get from an interview and rework them into a coherent and flowing text. Use quotes sparingly. No one wants to read a transcript. Seriously.
While the vast majority of the book was the transcript of interviews, the very last part seemed to be a repetition of the major points (sometimes verbatim) of parts of the interview but without it being in interview style. Which was better. But then I realized that all the important parts could have fit into a decent sized pamphlet and I had just wasted a bunch of time in reading the first 80% of the book.
Anyway, there were some good take-aways from this book. Only a small portion was about being angry, making the title almost kind of arbitrary. The point on anger can be summed up pretty easily. Being angry out of compassion (angrily yelling at your kid to get out of the way of an oncoming vehicle) is fine, but being angry towards people in power out of resentment just creates more fighting. This matched with discussions on how there are attachments that should NOT be discarded. If they are good. Such as the attachment to achieve enlightenment. Or for someone's suffering to end. These lead one to striving for goals, and for promoting social well-being.
While the vast majority of the book was the transcript of interviews, the very last part seemed to be a repetition of the major points (sometimes verbatim) of parts of the interview but without it being in interview style. Which was better. But then I realized that all the important parts could have fit into a decent sized pamphlet and I had just wasted a bunch of time in reading the first 80% of the book.
Anyway, there were some good take-aways from this book. Only a small portion was about being angry, making the title almost kind of arbitrary. The point on anger can be summed up pretty easily. Being angry out of compassion (angrily yelling at your kid to get out of the way of an oncoming vehicle) is fine, but being angry towards people in power out of resentment just creates more fighting. This matched with discussions on how there are attachments that should NOT be discarded. If they are good. Such as the attachment to achieve enlightenment. Or for someone's suffering to end. These lead one to striving for goals, and for promoting social well-being.
May 18, 2019
A Apologia da Raiva
Falar sobre a apologia da raiva num livro com a assinatura de Dalai Lama até parece um contra-senso. Porém, pensando melhor, até faz sentido. E faz sentido porque nem toda a raiva é negativa.
Por exemplo, quando nos insurgimos contra a guerra, o racismo, o abuso de menores, a violência doméstica... somos tomados por uma raiva positiva. E é pois sobre este tipo de raiva que Dalai Lama nos fala, mostrando-nos como pode ser canalizada para um projeto “Mundo Melhor”!....
Falar sobre a apologia da raiva num livro com a assinatura de Dalai Lama até parece um contra-senso. Porém, pensando melhor, até faz sentido. E faz sentido porque nem toda a raiva é negativa.
Por exemplo, quando nos insurgimos contra a guerra, o racismo, o abuso de menores, a violência doméstica... somos tomados por uma raiva positiva. E é pois sobre este tipo de raiva que Dalai Lama nos fala, mostrando-nos como pode ser canalizada para um projeto “Mundo Melhor”!....
August 14, 2019
Okay, so I like the idea of wrathful compassion. Be angry about poverty, injustice, racism, sexism, war, etc. BE ANGRY! USE YOUR ANGER PRODUCTIVELY!
But.
I just feel like there are some potentially problematic ideas here as well. He at one point talks about hurting someone for their own good. The example he gives is smacking something poisonous out of a child's hand. Okay. But the problem here is that this gets used way to often to justify abuse. "It's for your own good". And he never really clarifies how and who decides what is "good". He also at one point uses slightly different phrasing but essentially says "hate the sin, love the sinner". These are two ideas that I see Christians using a lot when they justify homophobia, so seeing these here really put me off. He also talks in a couple places about the lack of religion in school and what a shame that is. I'm all for teaching ethics in school and teaching people not to be little shits, but when you start talking about religion specifically I get a little iffy. Let's teach compassion and charity and forgiveness, but let's not teach kids that this can only be found under one specific set of beliefs.
Also, a formatting issue more than a content issue, but there were random quotes pulled out in capital letters and it felt like the book WAS YELLING AT ME! Although, perhaps that's appropriate for a book on anger? :)
But.
I just feel like there are some potentially problematic ideas here as well. He at one point talks about hurting someone for their own good. The example he gives is smacking something poisonous out of a child's hand. Okay. But the problem here is that this gets used way to often to justify abuse. "It's for your own good". And he never really clarifies how and who decides what is "good". He also at one point uses slightly different phrasing but essentially says "hate the sin, love the sinner". These are two ideas that I see Christians using a lot when they justify homophobia, so seeing these here really put me off. He also talks in a couple places about the lack of religion in school and what a shame that is. I'm all for teaching ethics in school and teaching people not to be little shits, but when you start talking about religion specifically I get a little iffy. Let's teach compassion and charity and forgiveness, but let's not teach kids that this can only be found under one specific set of beliefs.
Also, a formatting issue more than a content issue, but there were random quotes pulled out in capital letters and it felt like the book WAS YELLING AT ME! Although, perhaps that's appropriate for a book on anger? :)
June 20, 2020
Περίμενα να είναι ένα βιβλίο αυτοβελτιωσης γεμάτο σοφά λόγια του Δαλάι Λάμα. Όμως, δεν ήταν τίποτα περισσότερο από μερικές ελάχιστες δόσεις σοφίας σε συνδυασμό με πολλές (πραγματικά πολλές) ανεξήγητες σκληρές κριτικές απέναντι σε Ιάπωνες Βουδιστές μοναχούς. Πρώτα απ'όλα, το βιβλίο αφορά μια συνέντευξη που έδωσε ο Δαλάι Λάμα σε εναν δημοσιογράφο, συνεπώς δε μιλάμε για βιβλίο αλλά για συνέντευξη τύπου. Τα μηνύματα που περνάει είναι ωραία και σημαντικά αλλά ο τρόπος που τα μεταδίδει είναι ασύνδετος, άτοπος και αγενής. Δεν υπήρχε λογική σύνδεση μεταξύ των φιλοσοφημάτων του Δαλάι Λάμα και των σκληρών κριτικών απέναντι σε ομοθρήσκούς τους. Με αρκετά κενά και ερωτήματα για όσα ειπωνονται μέσα στο βιβλίο, κατέληξα στο ότι δεν μου άρεσε και δεν ήταν αυτό που περίμενα. Περίμενα να είναι ένα βιβλίο που θα σου δίνει κατευθυντήριες και σύντομες οδηγίες για στιγμές που είσαι έξω φρενών ώστε να φτάνεις σε κατάσταση ζεν. Ή θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα βιβλίο το οποίο θα μιλούσε για το πως ο θυμός των ανθρώπων επέφερε σημαντικά αποτελέσματα στην κοινωνική, πολιτική και πολιτιστική πραγματικότητα. Δεν είμαι βουδίστρια, ωστόσο ήμουν περίεργη να διαβάσω μερικές σοφές ίσως απόψεις του Δαλάι Λάμα. Δυστυχώς, με απογοήτευσε.
May 21, 2019
The title caught my eye, and then the author: So of course I was curious. The publisher's note quotes the Dalai Lama as follows: "Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain." So far, so good.
Interestingly, in the first pages of the book, the D.L. notes: "The University of British Columbia has created a new institution that is conducting research on how to cultivate warmheartedness in students within the modern educational system. At least four or five universities in the U.S. are acknowledging that modern education lacks something in this regard. Research is finally being conducted to address this problem and propose ways to improve the system."
On the subject of the title: "Suffering should make us angry. This type of anger moves us toward a wrathful compassion to take action to end suffering."
Toward the end of the book: "I am not only a socialist but also a bit leftist, a communist. In terms of social economic theory, I am a Marxist. I think I am farther to the left than the Chinese leaders. [Bursts out laughing.] They are capitalists. [Laughs again.]"
Now that I've shared my highlights, I think some of my friends can skip the book. Big fans of His Holiness might enjoy reading the whole thing, and it is very short, if you are simply curious.
Interestingly, in the first pages of the book, the D.L. notes: "The University of British Columbia has created a new institution that is conducting research on how to cultivate warmheartedness in students within the modern educational system. At least four or five universities in the U.S. are acknowledging that modern education lacks something in this regard. Research is finally being conducted to address this problem and propose ways to improve the system."
On the subject of the title: "Suffering should make us angry. This type of anger moves us toward a wrathful compassion to take action to end suffering."
Toward the end of the book: "I am not only a socialist but also a bit leftist, a communist. In terms of social economic theory, I am a Marxist. I think I am farther to the left than the Chinese leaders. [Bursts out laughing.] They are capitalists. [Laughs again.]"
Now that I've shared my highlights, I think some of my friends can skip the book. Big fans of His Holiness might enjoy reading the whole thing, and it is very short, if you are simply curious.
December 31, 2022
Un breve libro que realmente es más una lluvia de ideas del Dalai Lama sobre la ira que realmente un ensayo a profundidad del tema. En algunas partes vas a sentirte muy fuera de lugar, dado que se sale del tema de manera muy notoria. De las 120 mini páginas, solo 1/4 tratan específicamente de la ira.
April 17, 2019
I want to buy a copy of this for most of my friends. I feel like everyone needs to read this.
January 30, 2025
The Dalai Lama makes an excellent point in this book: be angry but with a purpose. Not just be angry out of spite and resentment, but with compassion. Great read for 115 pages. I like these little inspirational books: small in size but BIG and powerful in meaning.
May 4, 2019
This is a really quick book and a great read, I picked it up because as someone who has terrible problems with anger and wants to become the best Buddhist I can be, the topic of anger from the 14th Dalai Lama himself is very interesting. Amid all of the points made the main staying point is that anger is important in social reform. I feel and am learning that politics and buddism seem to go hand in hand. Interesting to hear the Dalai Lama himself say he’s a communist and a Marxist himself!
June 7, 2019
Be angry at the injustice for the purpose of action, not angry at the person to cause harm. Also, if you are religious, be mindful that you aren’t just doing the rituals, but living your practice. Short and sweet.
November 15, 2024
I thought this book would be more about ways to deal with anger, but it felt like more fluff. The first half is an interview, which feels oddly written (maybe the translation?) and the second half was more of a summary.
May 23, 2019
Well worth reading.
could-not-finish
November 29, 2020That I would end a ~4 hour audiobook early shows just what a waste it is.
October 10, 2024
Particularly interesting was the idea of Buddhism as both rational and liberal/socialist by nature.
March 30, 2022
Probably the most interesting material I’ve encountered from the Dalai Lama. As someone who struggles daily with anger, I also found it particularly helpful on a personal level. Many of the interesting parts of discussion were not about anger but rather about other topics like how Buddhism is practiced in the world, its relevancy to sociology and cultural anthropology, the behavior of monks, and state socioeconomic policy. Here the quasi-Buddhist “anger taboo” is dispelled—the Dalai Lama carves out some important space for righteous anger toward social injustice and puts it into persective.
November 18, 2025
Very entertaining input from His Holiness, it’d be great if this message was able to get out to the masses. I’m not sure why there’s so many quotes sprinkled in that take up the whole page but I just read it in the text
November 10, 2023
I found the conversation around Buddhist teachings, and anger, compassion and suffering very interesting and informative. I loved hearing about the different types of Buddhists and how they practice their religion. I found it interesting how Buddhists tackle issues like social injustice and inequality.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others because it was based on an article and not the Dalai Lama's words directly, also I kept hoping they would speak more about healthy anger and how to be angry in a healthy way.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others because it was based on an article and not the Dalai Lama's words directly, also I kept hoping they would speak more about healthy anger and how to be angry in a healthy way.
Read
March 31, 2021This really hit the spot for me. Like many books "by" HHDL, it's a poorly organized summary of a few interviews. Any of these would be a terrible entry point for anyone looking to learn about Buddhism generally. It's also obviously not the best example of these "books." (The best is probably Happiness, imho)
I only picked it up to support the community pharmacy that vaccinated me against COVID. I picked this because I've been struggling with some intense anger over the past few years, mostly about childhood trauma, and am always ready for another perspective on the topic. I found his separation of anger into two categories (roughly "good anger" and "bad anger") to be useful. Without noticing, I had fallen into a rut of "must deal with all anger" b/c I subconsciously bought into the idea that all anger is harmful, even if it's justified and understandable. Seeing him separate anger into compassion-based and hatred-based forms is SO obvious now, but I completely missed it until he pointed it out. It immediately helped me define the right path for me -- where I can hold on to the anger at what happened to me, but let go of raging against the perpetrators. It's a long road, but this helped a bit.
What I did NOT expect to find here was HHDL directly addressing MANY, if not all of the problems I have with Buddhism. My family are Buddhists, and it's one of my favorite religions. I find it lovely and generally moral, and it seems to lead people to behave violently less often than other religions. But it's a bit too attached to rational thought for my taste, and I identify as more of a Taoist. There are a few things I really struggle with in Buddhism, though, especially the notion that sitting safe in a palatial monastery detached from starving people all around you just doesn't seem like a great path to me? I can't argue with the attainment of personal liberation and mindfulness, but I just could never see myself retiring from society completely and feeling good about that.
Well, guess who turns out to be annoyed by the same exact thing?! And wow, he really came for Zen. I never would have guessed that he low-key despises certain Zen masters. In general, I don't think I've ever witnessed him being so critical in general, though in a very gentle and compassionate way. Even Tibet gets called out.
Just seeing such a high-level Buddhist call out Buddhism and things done in its name that he doesn't agree with was a really powerful moment for me. Kind of like the one time a psychologist bluntly admitted to me that psychology has no good help for addiction... it was a breath of fresh air and set me free from layers of cynicism and resentment.
So, in rambling conclusion, I would not recommend this book to most people, but I would offer it to:
a) intense HHDL fanboys/girls who read everything by/about him - you'll love it
b) people who struggle with the "detachment" aspect of Buddhism, or famous people professing to be Buddhists while being very wealthy - you're in for a fun surprise
c) anyone who thinks the Zen branch of Buddhism was a big mistake - you'll buy copies for everyone
d) someone who wants to feel accomplished and cultured/brag to friends, but can only put in 20 minutes (it's very short) - it's okay, I feel you
I would absolutely avoid this book at all costs if you are really, really into Zen, though. He doesn't go after the whole philosophy, and does acknowledge admirable Buddhists in Japan, but you'll probably feel attacked.
I only picked it up to support the community pharmacy that vaccinated me against COVID. I picked this because I've been struggling with some intense anger over the past few years, mostly about childhood trauma, and am always ready for another perspective on the topic. I found his separation of anger into two categories (roughly "good anger" and "bad anger") to be useful. Without noticing, I had fallen into a rut of "must deal with all anger" b/c I subconsciously bought into the idea that all anger is harmful, even if it's justified and understandable. Seeing him separate anger into compassion-based and hatred-based forms is SO obvious now, but I completely missed it until he pointed it out. It immediately helped me define the right path for me -- where I can hold on to the anger at what happened to me, but let go of raging against the perpetrators. It's a long road, but this helped a bit.
What I did NOT expect to find here was HHDL directly addressing MANY, if not all of the problems I have with Buddhism. My family are Buddhists, and it's one of my favorite religions. I find it lovely and generally moral, and it seems to lead people to behave violently less often than other religions. But it's a bit too attached to rational thought for my taste, and I identify as more of a Taoist. There are a few things I really struggle with in Buddhism, though, especially the notion that sitting safe in a palatial monastery detached from starving people all around you just doesn't seem like a great path to me? I can't argue with the attainment of personal liberation and mindfulness, but I just could never see myself retiring from society completely and feeling good about that.
Well, guess who turns out to be annoyed by the same exact thing?! And wow, he really came for Zen. I never would have guessed that he low-key despises certain Zen masters. In general, I don't think I've ever witnessed him being so critical in general, though in a very gentle and compassionate way. Even Tibet gets called out.
Just seeing such a high-level Buddhist call out Buddhism and things done in its name that he doesn't agree with was a really powerful moment for me. Kind of like the one time a psychologist bluntly admitted to me that psychology has no good help for addiction... it was a breath of fresh air and set me free from layers of cynicism and resentment.
So, in rambling conclusion, I would not recommend this book to most people, but I would offer it to:
a) intense HHDL fanboys/girls who read everything by/about him - you'll love it
b) people who struggle with the "detachment" aspect of Buddhism, or famous people professing to be Buddhists while being very wealthy - you're in for a fun surprise
c) anyone who thinks the Zen branch of Buddhism was a big mistake - you'll buy copies for everyone
d) someone who wants to feel accomplished and cultured/brag to friends, but can only put in 20 minutes (it's very short) - it's okay, I feel you
I would absolutely avoid this book at all costs if you are really, really into Zen, though. He doesn't go after the whole philosophy, and does acknowledge admirable Buddhists in Japan, but you'll probably feel attacked.
October 15, 2023
A very tiny little book, with some interesting thoughts on the practice of Buddhism, anger, and engagement with social justice.
January 27, 2023
Foi o primeiro livro do Dalai Lama que eu li e sinceramente não esperava que 80% do livro fosse ele fazendo comparações e desmerecendo a linhagem budista japonesa. Pouco se fala sobre o tema principal do livro: a raiva. Ele cita que a raiva deve ser percebida e transformada em motivação para agir e gerar mudança, a partir daí o livro se torna sobre motivação e valores. Não te ensina a lidar com a raiva.
March 17, 2019
I've never read a book that contained the wisdom of the Dalai Lama that didn't teach me something important. This was no exception. This book was a bit disjointed and that made it hard to keep up with but the wisdom, the teachings, the thought-provoking perspective is all there.
May 13, 2020
Ein arg kurzes Buch, das auf einem Gespräch des Dalai Lama mit dem japanischen Autor Noriyuki Ueda basiert. Es fühlt sich mehr wie ein langes Interview als ein eigenständig verfasstes Sachbuch an, auch wenn die Fragen nicht abgedruckt sind. Das Buch ist in sehr kurze Kapitel unterteilt, die zwar durch das Überthema Wut locker verbunden sind, aber nicht direkt aufeinander aufbauen. Der Autor springt dabei zwischen verschiedenen Themen hin und her. Dadurch wirkt das Buch leider zerstückelt und nicht wie ein zusammenhängendes Werk mit einer fließend verfassten Erzählung oder Argumentation.
Wer kurze, episodenhafte Gedanken des Dalai Lama lesen möchte, ist damit gut beraten. Ich habe leider etwas anderes erwartet.
Durch die Kürze und die nicht stringente Gedankenführung bleibt das Buch zudem sehr oberflächlich. Den Rest hat mir dann dieser Satz gegeben, der gegen Ende abgedruckt ist: "Die nachfolgenden Ausführungen beruhen nicht auf gründlichen Nachforschungen, sondern nur auf ein paar Gedanken, die mir durch den Kopf gegangen sind." (S.46 von 54) Vielleicht ist die Übersetzung ungünstig, aber das klingt einfach banal.
Die Überschrift zu jedem Kapitel ist entweder ein Zitat oder eine griffige Zusammenfassung des in diesem Abschnitt besprochenen Inhalts. Mitten im Fließtext sind immer wieder einzelne Sätze eingerückt formatiert, so wie man es eher in einem Zeitschriftenartikel als in einem Buch machen würde.
Die zentralen Thesen über Wut stehen am Anfang zusammengefasst in einem "Vorwort des Verlags". Das hat mich doch einigermaßen irritiert - normalerweise schreibt ja eine (namhafte) Person Vorwörter, nicht ein Verlag als Ganzes. Das wirkt ein bisschen, als würde der Verlag nicht so ganz darauf vertrauen, dass der Leser die Kernthesen versteht und sie deshalb am Anfang vorbereitend zusammenfassen. Bei der Kürze des Buchs sehe ich ebenfalls keinen richtigen Sinn in diesem Vorwort.
Auch den Untertitel "Die Kraft der Wut kreativ nutzen" finde ich irreführend. Wut gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit bleibt bestehen, bis es diese Ungerechtigkeit nicht mehr gibt, argumentiert der Dalai Lama. Aber wie genau kann man diese Wut aus seiner Sicht produktiv und eben kreativ nutzen, um Ungerechtigkeiten zu bekämpfen? Am Ende schreibt er nur, dass ihn seine Wut motiviert, Leidensursachen aufzuspüren und härter an seiner Mission zu arbeiten. Es bleibt alles sehr schwammig und oberflächlich. Leider eine Enttäuschung.
Wer kurze, episodenhafte Gedanken des Dalai Lama lesen möchte, ist damit gut beraten. Ich habe leider etwas anderes erwartet.
Durch die Kürze und die nicht stringente Gedankenführung bleibt das Buch zudem sehr oberflächlich. Den Rest hat mir dann dieser Satz gegeben, der gegen Ende abgedruckt ist: "Die nachfolgenden Ausführungen beruhen nicht auf gründlichen Nachforschungen, sondern nur auf ein paar Gedanken, die mir durch den Kopf gegangen sind." (S.46 von 54) Vielleicht ist die Übersetzung ungünstig, aber das klingt einfach banal.
Die Überschrift zu jedem Kapitel ist entweder ein Zitat oder eine griffige Zusammenfassung des in diesem Abschnitt besprochenen Inhalts. Mitten im Fließtext sind immer wieder einzelne Sätze eingerückt formatiert, so wie man es eher in einem Zeitschriftenartikel als in einem Buch machen würde.
Die zentralen Thesen über Wut stehen am Anfang zusammengefasst in einem "Vorwort des Verlags". Das hat mich doch einigermaßen irritiert - normalerweise schreibt ja eine (namhafte) Person Vorwörter, nicht ein Verlag als Ganzes. Das wirkt ein bisschen, als würde der Verlag nicht so ganz darauf vertrauen, dass der Leser die Kernthesen versteht und sie deshalb am Anfang vorbereitend zusammenfassen. Bei der Kürze des Buchs sehe ich ebenfalls keinen richtigen Sinn in diesem Vorwort.
Auch den Untertitel "Die Kraft der Wut kreativ nutzen" finde ich irreführend. Wut gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit bleibt bestehen, bis es diese Ungerechtigkeit nicht mehr gibt, argumentiert der Dalai Lama. Aber wie genau kann man diese Wut aus seiner Sicht produktiv und eben kreativ nutzen, um Ungerechtigkeiten zu bekämpfen? Am Ende schreibt er nur, dass ihn seine Wut motiviert, Leidensursachen aufzuspüren und härter an seiner Mission zu arbeiten. Es bleibt alles sehr schwammig und oberflächlich. Leider eine Enttäuschung.
January 11, 2022
Cute interview. The interviewer did most of the talking with the Dalia lama! I would have probably liked it more if he talked less and listened more to the Dalia Lama. I’m not angry yet.
Here is a reproduction of what I got from this book:
Interviewer: oh wow Dalai Lama it’s amazing how you are not preaching Buddhism but instead speaking about universal human values and needs.
50 pages later Buddhism is this and that. Buddhism is reason and faith. And no creator because that strips autonomy away from you! Autonomy is in hands of people and according to Buddha everyone can become a Buddha too. You don’t just follow blind faith n Buddhism and instead learn to scrutinise and critique all the teachings of Buddha with reason. That way you can elevate your understanding and be on path of Buddha just like Buddha!
Buddhist monks are not all good unfortunately. They are also swayed by politics and authority (mere mortals)! They strive to have worldly gains and influence in their monasteries! Some though are good and engage with their societies to alleviate suffering! Good Buddhist monks (majority or minority?)
But Dalia Lama though, he is a reincarnation of Avalokiteśvara who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas and that dear readers is not attainable by anybody! That is a holy authority figure and we can’t be all holy authority figures at the end of the day! Yes all of us can be Buddha-like but not all of us can be holy authority figures!
Authority figures appear in dreams and that’s how it’s decided. But who makes dreams? And who gives the ability to dream? Is it Buddha himself?
I Don’t know but I sure do know that I have lots to learn about anger!
Here is a reproduction of what I got from this book:
Interviewer: oh wow Dalai Lama it’s amazing how you are not preaching Buddhism but instead speaking about universal human values and needs.
50 pages later Buddhism is this and that. Buddhism is reason and faith. And no creator because that strips autonomy away from you! Autonomy is in hands of people and according to Buddha everyone can become a Buddha too. You don’t just follow blind faith n Buddhism and instead learn to scrutinise and critique all the teachings of Buddha with reason. That way you can elevate your understanding and be on path of Buddha just like Buddha!
Buddhist monks are not all good unfortunately. They are also swayed by politics and authority (mere mortals)! They strive to have worldly gains and influence in their monasteries! Some though are good and engage with their societies to alleviate suffering! Good Buddhist monks (majority or minority?)
But Dalia Lama though, he is a reincarnation of Avalokiteśvara who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas and that dear readers is not attainable by anybody! That is a holy authority figure and we can’t be all holy authority figures at the end of the day! Yes all of us can be Buddha-like but not all of us can be holy authority figures!
Authority figures appear in dreams and that’s how it’s decided. But who makes dreams? And who gives the ability to dream? Is it Buddha himself?
I Don’t know but I sure do know that I have lots to learn about anger!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
Der Dalai Lama versucht in diesem Buch (eigentlich in einer Rede, die in diesem Buch verschriftlicht wurde), der Frage nachzugehen, ob Wut ein nützliches Mittel ist und wie buddhistische Mönche mit dieser Wut umgehen. Das legt zumindest der Titel des Buches nahe. Hier mein eher vernichtendes Urteil:
Ständig schweift er ab (was vermutlich der Rede geschuldet ist, die eins zu eins mitgeschrieben wurde), indem er sich ständig über japanische Mönche beklagt, die nach seiner Auffassung nicht den wahren Lehren des Buddhismus folgen.
Ich hatte auf einige Ratschläge eines weisen Mannes gehofft, mit Wut umzugehen, doch stattdessen wird der Lesende an die Perspektive, und zwar nur an die Perspektive des Dalai Lama XIV, herangeführt. Zudem behandelt vielleicht ein Drittel dieses eher schmalen Buches das eigentliche Thema.
Trotz einiger weiser Worte zum Ende hin (das eine Drittel wo der Dalai Lama tatsächlich auf Wut eingeht), bin ich doch eher enttäuscht von der eher inhaltslosen, teils sogar falschen Darstellung von Tatsachen. An mehreren Stellen wird das Wort "westlich" mit "amerikanisch" gleichgesetzt, westliche Tugenden seien grundsätzlich verkehrt und in einem sehr kurzen Kapitel versucht der Dalai Lama auch noch anhand seiner Geographiekenntnisse zu erklären, wieso Europäer ab dem 15. Jahrhundert zu Kolonialisten wurden.
Ich habe weder gelernt, wütend zu sein, noch meine Wut kreativ zu nutzen.
Nur das eine ist hängengeblieben, und zwar, dass Japaner den Buddhismus falsch ausüben.
Ständig schweift er ab (was vermutlich der Rede geschuldet ist, die eins zu eins mitgeschrieben wurde), indem er sich ständig über japanische Mönche beklagt, die nach seiner Auffassung nicht den wahren Lehren des Buddhismus folgen.
Ich hatte auf einige Ratschläge eines weisen Mannes gehofft, mit Wut umzugehen, doch stattdessen wird der Lesende an die Perspektive, und zwar nur an die Perspektive des Dalai Lama XIV, herangeführt. Zudem behandelt vielleicht ein Drittel dieses eher schmalen Buches das eigentliche Thema.
Trotz einiger weiser Worte zum Ende hin (das eine Drittel wo der Dalai Lama tatsächlich auf Wut eingeht), bin ich doch eher enttäuscht von der eher inhaltslosen, teils sogar falschen Darstellung von Tatsachen. An mehreren Stellen wird das Wort "westlich" mit "amerikanisch" gleichgesetzt, westliche Tugenden seien grundsätzlich verkehrt und in einem sehr kurzen Kapitel versucht der Dalai Lama auch noch anhand seiner Geographiekenntnisse zu erklären, wieso Europäer ab dem 15. Jahrhundert zu Kolonialisten wurden.
Ich habe weder gelernt, wütend zu sein, noch meine Wut kreativ zu nutzen.
Nur das eine ist hängengeblieben, und zwar, dass Japaner den Buddhismus falsch ausüben.
September 18, 2020
2020.09.14–2020.09.14
The audiobook seemed to start repeating itself when there would have been about 1:02h of duration left, so I suppose the actual duration is closer to 2:56 than 3:58. Also the contents are basically this book from 2013. Anyway, I enjoyed this light and occasionally humorous interview.
Contents
Ueda N (2013) (02:56) Dalai Lama on What Matters Most - Conversations on Anger, Compassion, and Action
Editor’s Note for the American Edition
Introduction: The Road to Dharamsala
1. What Can Buddhism Offer?
• An Altruistic Society
• What Matters Most
• A Biological Need
• Cultivating Compassion
• Faith and Social Development
2. Compassionate Anger
• Ritual and Meaning
• Buddhism as “Science of Mind”
• Compassionate Anger
• Good and Bad Attachments
• Knowledge and Practice
• The Dilemma of Modernization and Faith
• The Right Spirit of Competition
• Emptiness and Compassion
3. Love and Attachment
• Love vs. Attachment
• Humans and Animals
• Love and Innate Healing Power
4. Enlightened Buddhism for a Modern World
• The Buddha’s Spirit of Social Service
• Self-Responsibility in Buddhism
• Transcending Suffering
Epilogue: After the Interview
• The Dalai Lama’s Social Activism in India
• The Wings of Freedom
• Salvation for All
Acknowledgments
The audiobook seemed to start repeating itself when there would have been about 1:02h of duration left, so I suppose the actual duration is closer to 2:56 than 3:58. Also the contents are basically this book from 2013. Anyway, I enjoyed this light and occasionally humorous interview.
Contents
Ueda N (2013) (02:56) Dalai Lama on What Matters Most - Conversations on Anger, Compassion, and Action
Editor’s Note for the American Edition
Introduction: The Road to Dharamsala
1. What Can Buddhism Offer?
• An Altruistic Society
• What Matters Most
• A Biological Need
• Cultivating Compassion
• Faith and Social Development
2. Compassionate Anger
• Ritual and Meaning
• Buddhism as “Science of Mind”
• Compassionate Anger
• Good and Bad Attachments
• Knowledge and Practice
• The Dilemma of Modernization and Faith
• The Right Spirit of Competition
• Emptiness and Compassion
3. Love and Attachment
• Love vs. Attachment
• Humans and Animals
• Love and Innate Healing Power
4. Enlightened Buddhism for a Modern World
• The Buddha’s Spirit of Social Service
• Self-Responsibility in Buddhism
• Transcending Suffering
Epilogue: After the Interview
• The Dalai Lama’s Social Activism in India
• The Wings of Freedom
• Salvation for All
Acknowledgments
February 21, 2023
anger is essential in our lives, but it’s what type of anger we put forth that determines our relationship with the world.
i really appreciated this book’s message; normalizing anger that comes from a place of genuine love/care. Anger regarding injustice, poverty, hurt, and/or suffering are all examples of good anger— anger that moves us towards action and more compassion. Anger that hurts us and others is detrimental to ourselves and the communities around us.
This book is a short introduction to a much deeper question often brought up in Buddhism/ Hinduism/ spirituality; what emotions are helpful and healthy for the Self? The Dalai Lama speaks briefly about the differences between healthy and unhealthy anger and how that anger is practiced in different regions and sects of Buddhism.
Although I do not think that this is an all-encompassing book (it only consists of about 30-40 pages of information), I do think it is a good and easy introduction into recognizing anger as well as recognizing and practicing Buddhist faith and mindfulness.
I read this book in 3 days (about 2-3 hours total) and I am keeping it on my shelves as something to look to when I need a reminder of intentional and caring anger. I would recommend this book to people on all levels of spiritual/mindful comprehension!
i really appreciated this book’s message; normalizing anger that comes from a place of genuine love/care. Anger regarding injustice, poverty, hurt, and/or suffering are all examples of good anger— anger that moves us towards action and more compassion. Anger that hurts us and others is detrimental to ourselves and the communities around us.
This book is a short introduction to a much deeper question often brought up in Buddhism/ Hinduism/ spirituality; what emotions are helpful and healthy for the Self? The Dalai Lama speaks briefly about the differences between healthy and unhealthy anger and how that anger is practiced in different regions and sects of Buddhism.
Although I do not think that this is an all-encompassing book (it only consists of about 30-40 pages of information), I do think it is a good and easy introduction into recognizing anger as well as recognizing and practicing Buddhist faith and mindfulness.
I read this book in 3 days (about 2-3 hours total) and I am keeping it on my shelves as something to look to when I need a reminder of intentional and caring anger. I would recommend this book to people on all levels of spiritual/mindful comprehension!
June 9, 2023
"Be Angry" by the Dalai Lama and Noriyuki Ueda is a fascinating dialogue that serves as an engaging and lightweight introduction to the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Presented in the format of an interview, it provides a refreshing approach to conveying spiritual insights, simultaneously familiar and exploratory.
Throughout the course of the book, the Dalai Lama's views on a broad spectrum of topics are presented. His profound wisdom is articulated in a way that is both accessible and intriguing, no doubt thanks to Ueda's skillful inquiry. The breadth of topics explored makes for a rich tapestry of ideas and teachings, certain to provoke thought in readers of varying familiarity with Buddhist philosophy.
However, the book’s interview format left me yearning for the original audio. Being privy to the original intonations, pauses, and inflections of both the Dalai Lama and Ueda would have undoubtedly elevated the overall experience. Such nuances often reveal as much about the speaker’s meaning and intentions as the words themselves and it’s regrettable that the reader misses out on these dimensions of the exchange.
Despite this, "Be Angry" is a commendable work that provides a stimulating foray into the Dalai Lama's teachings. The book's intriguing blend of spiritual philosophy, practical wisdom, and engaging discourse is certain to delight readers in search of insight and inspiration.
In conclusion, while it may serve as just a primer to the Dalai Lama’s teachings, "Be Angry" is a captivating read that offers profound insights into a variety of topics. Although an audio version of the original interview would have added depth, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of this thought-provoking work.
Throughout the course of the book, the Dalai Lama's views on a broad spectrum of topics are presented. His profound wisdom is articulated in a way that is both accessible and intriguing, no doubt thanks to Ueda's skillful inquiry. The breadth of topics explored makes for a rich tapestry of ideas and teachings, certain to provoke thought in readers of varying familiarity with Buddhist philosophy.
However, the book’s interview format left me yearning for the original audio. Being privy to the original intonations, pauses, and inflections of both the Dalai Lama and Ueda would have undoubtedly elevated the overall experience. Such nuances often reveal as much about the speaker’s meaning and intentions as the words themselves and it’s regrettable that the reader misses out on these dimensions of the exchange.
Despite this, "Be Angry" is a commendable work that provides a stimulating foray into the Dalai Lama's teachings. The book's intriguing blend of spiritual philosophy, practical wisdom, and engaging discourse is certain to delight readers in search of insight and inspiration.
In conclusion, while it may serve as just a primer to the Dalai Lama’s teachings, "Be Angry" is a captivating read that offers profound insights into a variety of topics. Although an audio version of the original interview would have added depth, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of this thought-provoking work.
June 17, 2024
Unless you're Buddhist and wondering how to appropriately reconcile your feelings of anger with your beliefs, get this book from your library instead of paying for the audiobook or hard copy. It's written for a Buddhist audience.
It's also very redundant, repeating the same principles and stories--each at least twice.
The thing that turned me off the most, though, was the entire book sounds like an "our religion/people/practices are better than theirs," while at the same time expounding equality, respect, and cooperation. But, no: one of the things that's repeated is religions that place their faith in a god are unenlightened. Considering Bishop Desmond Tutu considered the Dalai Lama a dear friend, that opinion seems like speaking ill of the deceased bishop--not to mention his daughter Mpho, who is herself a pastor and Christian author.
I was extremely disappointed in this. The Audible version has a very awkward he's speaking/he's speaking format during the interview segments, too. If you get the book, I recommend getting the hard copy (from your library if you're not a Japanese or Tibetan Buddhist).
It's also very redundant, repeating the same principles and stories--each at least twice.
The thing that turned me off the most, though, was the entire book sounds like an "our religion/people/practices are better than theirs," while at the same time expounding equality, respect, and cooperation. But, no: one of the things that's repeated is religions that place their faith in a god are unenlightened. Considering Bishop Desmond Tutu considered the Dalai Lama a dear friend, that opinion seems like speaking ill of the deceased bishop--not to mention his daughter Mpho, who is herself a pastor and Christian author.
I was extremely disappointed in this. The Audible version has a very awkward he's speaking/he's speaking format during the interview segments, too. If you get the book, I recommend getting the hard copy (from your library if you're not a Japanese or Tibetan Buddhist).
February 17, 2025
Sono molto indecisa sul cosa dire riguardo a questo libro.
Anzitutto non è un vero e proprio saggio, quanto una trasposizione di un'intervista al Dalai Lama.
Probabilmente mi aspettavo fosse più incentrato sul concetto in sé di rabbia, nondimeno offre degli spunti di riflessione interessanti.
"Ci sono due tipi di rabbia: il primo tipo nasce dalla compassione ed è una rabbia utile. La rabbia motivata dalla compassione o dal desiderio di sanare un'ingiustizia sociale, che non deriva dal desiderio di nucere agli altri, è una rabbia buona, che è positivo provare".
Provare una rabbia positiva, quella rabbia che nasce dalla compassione, è quindi un bene perché può essere utilizzata a proprio vantaggio per attivarsi concretamente e migliorare la società attuale.
"La compassione espressa sotto forma di rabbia porta a cambiamenti positivi".
Ci sono riferimenti alle diverse correnti del Buddhismo e alla vita del Buddha.
Tutto sommato è una lettura piacevole e molto scorrevole che invita a riflettere non solo sulla rabbia in sé e come utilizzarla quale motore di cambiamento (interno ed esterno), ma anche sulla società attuale.
Anzitutto non è un vero e proprio saggio, quanto una trasposizione di un'intervista al Dalai Lama.
Probabilmente mi aspettavo fosse più incentrato sul concetto in sé di rabbia, nondimeno offre degli spunti di riflessione interessanti.
"Ci sono due tipi di rabbia: il primo tipo nasce dalla compassione ed è una rabbia utile. La rabbia motivata dalla compassione o dal desiderio di sanare un'ingiustizia sociale, che non deriva dal desiderio di nucere agli altri, è una rabbia buona, che è positivo provare".
Provare una rabbia positiva, quella rabbia che nasce dalla compassione, è quindi un bene perché può essere utilizzata a proprio vantaggio per attivarsi concretamente e migliorare la società attuale.
"La compassione espressa sotto forma di rabbia porta a cambiamenti positivi".
Ci sono riferimenti alle diverse correnti del Buddhismo e alla vita del Buddha.
Tutto sommato è una lettura piacevole e molto scorrevole che invita a riflettere non solo sulla rabbia in sé e come utilizzarla quale motore di cambiamento (interno ed esterno), ma anche sulla società attuale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews