The Art of Living: A Guide to Contentment, Joy, and Fulfillment

by Dalai Lama XIV

More than two hundred full-color photographs complement a collection of practical advice and words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama, in an evocative photographic gift book that captures the heart of Buddhist practice. Reprint.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Mysticism, Self Help, Philosophy

176 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003

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

[Aligermaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a must read for me not only because I was a big fan of His Holiness, but also because of the content. One would think it’s all about Buddhist teachings but in fact, his whole teachings are very accepting of other religions and they relate more to universal common sense. Although some parts were bit too general, I can see why he didn’t want to get too specific. That way it related to more people and connected with them.
Edition I read was the new version with photos, so it was a great delight for my eyes.

[Dragomir Draganov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книгата е чудесна. Тя е съставена на база лекция на Негово Светейшество Далай Лама в Лондон от май 1993 г. В нея се дискутират не само по въпроси, свързани с будизма, но и по глобални проблеми, актуални и днес, близо петнадесет години по-късно. Измежду всички проницателни гледни точки, съдържащи се в книгата, една от тях заслужава особено внимание, без значение какви са философските позиции или религиозните убеждения на читателя: "Когато променим възгледа си към нещата и събитията, всяко събитие може да стане източник на щастие". Простично и ясно, точно както всяка мъдрост.

[Clark Hallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Living: A Guide to Contentment, Joy and Fulfillment by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama - This is wonderful hardback (coffee-table-style) book that presents stunning color photographs that illuminate the rich cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism depicting monks and the astounding mountain environment. In addition, His Holiness the Dalai Lama provides unique and informative introductory lessons on living a fulfilling life through a Buddhist perspective. He provides the following six lessons: Contentment, Joy and Living Well; Facing Death and Dying Well; Dealing With Anger and Emotion; Giving and Receiving: A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion; Interdependence, Inter-connectedness and the Nature of Reality; and The Challenge for Humanity: An Interfaith Address. It’s a concise but enlightening glimpse of the holy Tibetan environment and some of the primary beliefs and practices of Buddhism.

[Zach Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book expands on the original book "A Simple Path", which outlines teachings on the Four Noble Truths, to include six additional chapters such as 'Contentment, Joy, and Living Well,' and 'Facing Death and Dying Well'. The pictures are beautiful and it is light and engaging to read. I keep multiple copies of "A Simple Path" on hand and have gifted it to many friends who are curious about basic Buddhist teachings.

[Leo Glowacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic Buddhism from the Dalai Lama. I was a bit surprised at how prescriptive he is at some points, but it is a very basic, short coffee table book without time to get into the finer points. Good for those wanting to get a glimpse into Buddhism's principles and worldview.

[Simran Chugh]

See how to open the book and to read it???

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a coffee table Dalai Lama. The text is okay, but there are better books. And the pictures are pretty, but nothing special.

[Papalodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentile words of wisdom inspire the mind, opens the heart, soothes the soul and leaves a peaceful happier path for you to explore as you travel through life.

"And so forth" - Dalai Lama XIV

[Viv · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had never learned to read I think I would have gained as much learning about peace and tranquillity from looking at the intensely beautiful images in this richly illustrated book. The images of Tibetan life throughout this book were produced by Ian Cumming, a travel photographer specialising in Tibet and the Caribbean. There is much to learn from these photographs about the monastic community and lay practitioners of Tibet, and these, in combination with the simple yet powerful wisdom of His Holiness, serve to provide a transformative and fascinating read. There are 6 chapters:

Contentment, Joy and Living Well

Facing Death and Dying Well

Dealing with Anger and Emotion

Giving and Receiving:
A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion

Interdependence,
Inter-connectedness and the Nature of Reality

The Challenge for Humanity: An Interfaith Address.


This book cannot fail to lift the spirits and give comfort
to the reader in times of stress or otherwise.

Definitely 5 stars!

[Nicola Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously read The Art of Happiness, and again in The Art of Living the Dalai Lama explores some very pertinent issues which affect many people today, such as how to face death, overcoming anger and hatred and having genuine compassion for others rather than developing 'attachments.' I find his ideas refreshing and genuinely eye opening and there is practical advice which anyone can start to implement in their own life to, as the DL puts it, overcome suffering and achieve happiness.

He takes many references from Buddhist teachings, but also draws from other religions, emphasising the need for pluralism today. His lessons are relevant to everyone, religious or not, as good common sense ways to live a happy life.

I would recommend this book to everyone! I want a pocket sized version to carry about with me to refer to when modern life makes me feel a bit crazy!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book, alternating photos of Tibet with excerpts from some of the Dalai Lama's speeches from the 1990's. There are six sections: "Contentment, Joy, and Living Well", "Facing Death and Dying Well", "Dealing with Anger and Emotion", "Giving and Receiving: A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion", "Interdependence, Inter-connectedness and the Nature of Reality", and "The Challenge for Humanity: An Interfaith Address". There is no conclusion, and the book ends really abruptly with a paragraph on the issue of human overpopulation, and how it's a big problem. He never actually advocates anything like population control, but he does say it is up to the world's religions to tackle the issue. Interesting.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book that covers the basic principles of Buddhism coming from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A great book for those new/interested in Buddhism. I appreciated the focus on compassion, tolerance and religious pluralism that His Holiness promotes; I was surprised to learn the influence of science and the interest of population control within Buddhism.

I was partially motivated to read this book b/c I had recently watched the Bradd Pitt film "Seven Years in Tibet" about a mountainclimber during WWII that developed a close friendship with a young Dalai Lama in Tibet. A good film for those who like the book/topic.

[Kara (bookishskippy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of you guys know how much i love the buddha and the Buddhist culture because it is somewhere similar to my religion teachings.
When i saw this at @booksbeyond.borders weekend sale i had to pick it up.
This book has so much of positive teachings which blew my mind away.

-
I honestly wouldn't mind retiring in tibet or like Bhutan. It is my dream to visit those places 😍

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful photographs with wisdom from His Holiness the Dalai Lama--esp lots of photos of Tibet

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning coffee table book with amazing photographs and great insight, as always, from HHDL.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives you perspective.

[Jonathan Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful book

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is made up of excerpts from DL's speeches. Buddhism 101.