The Pocket Tibetan Buddhism Reader

by Reginald A. Ray

This pocket-sized reader will be cherished by students of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the many readers of such popular books as The Art of Happiness, When Things Fall Apart, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and Awakening the Buddha Within. This unique collection features short inspirational selections and pithy quotations from the great masters of Tibetan Buddhism, past and present, including Milarepa, the Dalai Lama, Sogyal Rinpoche, Patrul Rinpoche, Chögyam Trungpa, and others. Topics include cultivating compassion, letting go of ego, and developing a clear perception of our own true nature.

Genres: Buddhism

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another of Shambala's incredibly useful vade mecums on the subject of Asian religion, in this case a compendium of teachings by Tibetan sages ranging from Naropa to the present Dalai Lama.

We tend to read too many self-help books that are sheer garbage and unrealistic wish-fulfillment. On the other hand, The Pocket Tibetan Buddhism Reader is full of insights such as:

We operate under the illusion that the relative truth is something solid and truly existent, but this is the definition of delusion. If we look carefully, we find that the world is like a rainbow: vivid and colordul, but without any solid existence.

Or take this poem by Naropa in the 11th century on the Twelve Similes Describing the Phenomenal World:

A magic spell, a dream, a gleam before the yes,
A reflection, lightning, an echo, a rainbow,
Moonlight upon water, cloud-land, dimness
Before the eyes, fog, and apparitions;
These are the twelve similes of the phenomenal.

Reginald A. Ray has edited a useful selection to read at any time in this shirt-pocket-sized book.

['ö-Dzin Tridral · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful collection of quotations taken from a variety of books and teachers. It could be useful for people to read and find out with which teachers they resonate.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is - a literally pocket-sized book - The Pocket Tibetan Buddhism Reader is excellent. The teeny book is filled with bite-size quotes on various topics from various Tibetan Buddhist masters. I especially enjoyed the section on compassion which has spurred me on to read more on the Tibetan Buddhist perspective on the subject. A great little read for travel, the house, or anywhere!

[Viv JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little collection of teachings from Tibetan Buddhist teachers past and present.