His Holiness the
Dalai Lama
The Art of Happiness : A Handbook for Living
Amazon.com
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with the Dalai Lama and
really press him about life's persistent questions? Why are so many people unhappy? How
can I abjure loneliness? How can we reduce conflict? Is romantic love true love? Why do we
suffer? How should we deal with unfairness and anger? How do you handle the death
of a loved one? These are the conundrums that psychiatrist Howard Cutler poses to the
Dalai Lama during an extended period of interviews in The Art of Happiness: A Handbook
for Living.
At first, the Dalai Lama's answers seem simplistic,
like a surface reading of Robert Fulghum: Ask yourself if you really need something; our
enemies can be our teachers; compassion brings peace of mind. Cutler pushes: But some
people do seem happy with lots of possessions; but "suffering is life" is
so pessimistic; but going to extremes provides the zest in life; but what if I don't
believe in karma? As the Dalai Lama's responses become more involved, a coherent
philosophy takes shape. Cutler then develops the Dalai Lama's answers in the context of
scientific studies and cases from his own practice, substantiating and elaborating on what
he finds to be a revolutionary psychology. Like any art, the art of happiness requires
study and practice--and the talent for it, the Dalai Lama assures us, is in our nature. --Brian
Bruya
A
Simple Path
Thorsons
have done us a great service with the publication of this book. HH the
dalai Lama gave a lecture on the 4 noble truths in England, and instead of
merely publishing the text [good enough in  and
of itself], Thorsons has interspersed scores of color pictures of some of
the finest photographs available throughout the volume. Heavy bonded
glossy photograhic paper is used, highlighting this amazing volume. The
typeset is bold and clear, the pictures are breathtaking monasteries,
monks praying, pilgrims outside the ptola palace, children
playing...absolutely stunning photographs, perfectly compliment the text
of His Holiness. And at this price?!?! What an exquisite book, and what a
bargain. Absolutely magnificent! Highest recommendation. - an Amazon
reader review.
Violence
and Compassion
Dalai Lama
What happens when one
of the most gifted French screenwriters sits down for a chat with the Dalai
Lama? Jean-Claude Carriere, screenwriter for The Return of Martin Guerre and
The Unbearable Lightness of Being, has developed a taste for Buddhism and a
curiosity for its role in the wider world. Naturally, he turns to the Dalai
Lama, and over a two-week period their  conversations
touch on topics from overpopulation and subatomic physics to media violence
and the compassion that results from sustained introspection. Neither man is
out of his element in these ranging intellectual debates. Carriere knows
Buddhism not as a "change of beliefs, but a real metamorphosis of the
mind," and so views it as a potential remedy for many ills of our
times. The Dalai Lama is more than willing to help in this exploration,
steering Carriere through notions as deep as nirvana and as subtle as the
energy that persists from one life to the next. Never a pushover, Carriere
nudges the Dalai Lama this way and that. Although he occasionally seems to
be leading the Dalai Lama along as if to seek confirmation of his own
opinions, on the whole Carriere offers a stimulating stroll through a garden
of intellectual delight. --Brian Bruya
Ethics
for the New Millennium :
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Fascinated by science and
technology as a boy living in isolated Tibet and certain that such
advances would improve people's lives, the Dalai Lama was surprised to
discover how prevalent feelings of isolation and despair are in affluent and
developed societies. The more acquainted he has become with the West, the
more he believes that the pursuit of material comfort and wealth is not only
immoral but also leads to neglect of the "inner dimension,"
fostering emotional and societal chaos. In his most forceful book to date,
the Dalai Lama responds to this malaise--which,  along
with American popular culture and computer technology, is spreading around
the world--by calling for a spiritual revolution free of any religious
trappings. Stating bluntly that it is far more important to be a good human
being than to be a religious believer, the Dalai Lama encourages his readers
to act out of concern for the well-being of others rather than indulge
"our habitual preoccupation with self." This may sound simplistic,
but there is nothing superficial about the Dalai Lama's argument or the
ethics he defines. He possesses a deep and fluent understanding of the human
psyche, and he writes about the true meaning of spirituality with unfailing
wisdom and transcendent intelligence. His sophisticated yet commonsensical
approach to spiritual practice does not involve rule-following; rather, it
demands discipline. Learning to control negativity, the source of unethical
behavior, is a "lifelong task," the Dalai Lama cautions, so
practice compassion, share the wealth, aim for serenity, and don't worry
about Nirvana. Donna Seaman
The Buddha
Nature : Death and Eternal Soul in Buddhism
Midwest Book Review
"Buddha Nature" is a very complex topic in Tibetan  Buddhism. Not many books deal with this topic and an
even smaller number present this concept in perspective to Christian ideas of self,
immortality and eternal soul. Today's most famous (and articulate) spokesperson for
Buddhism, the Dalai Lama presents views concerning the Self in Buddhism. In the process,
he explains how Buddhist teachings differentiate the person and the eternal soul. At the
same time, he explains his ideas of Nirvana. A fascinating synthesis of individuality and
universality arises, one that could only be formed by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The
Buddha Nature is an inspiring book that encourages religious and spiritual dialogue. The
Buddha Nature is an insightful and valuable contribution to Buddhist studies.
Healing Anger : The Power of Patience from a
Buddhist Perspective
Lopon Claude d'Estree from Fairfax, Virginia USA
, March 11, 1998
The world could use a bit more patience & tolerance
As the President of Arizona Teachings (ATI), which hosted and sponsored these teachings on
patience in 1993 in Tucson, Arizona, it may be said that I am not completely objective about the contents of the book.
With that caveat in mind I still feel comfortable in saying that His Holiness' teachings
on patience, tolerance and anger are brilliantly done. The depth of knowledge
of and
compassion towards the subject make these teachings an indispensable tool for the serious
student and those who wish to move deeply into their own self-awareness and investigation
of their shadows.
Freedom in Exile : The Autobiography of the Dalai
Lama
 In this astonishingly frank autobiography, the Dalai Lama reveals the
remarkable inner strength that allowed him to master both the mysteries of Tibetan
Buddhism and the brutal realities of Chinese Communism.
The World of the Dalai Lama : An Inside Look at
His Life, His People, and His Vision
Gill Farrer-Halls
Reviews
Eastern Religion Editor's Recommended Book
A coffee-table book that is more than just pretty pictures, The World of the Dalai
Lama challenges the mind as  much as it delights the eye. On one level, it is a gorgeous mosaic of Tibet,
the Dalai Lama, and Tibetan Buddhism; on another level, it is a sincere introduction to
the religion, society, and plight of Tibetan Buddhism. Gill Farrer-Halls, a long-time
practitioner of the religion proffers photographs of the Dalai Lama at 3 and 5 years of
age, of a soldier raising the Chinese flag over Tibet, and of Westerners studying in
Dharamsala as early as 1970. More recent photographs are of child tulkus, religious
rituals, and the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Prize. Farrer-Halls also includes a
special interview with the Dalai Lama and excerpts from his writings and talks. The
World of the Dalai Lama is a grand tour of a uniquely compelling universe.
Seven Years
in Tibet
Heinrich Harrer
The book that formed the basis for the movie, Seven
Year in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt as the Austrian adventurer.
This real-life adventure is the story of Heinrich
Harrer, an Austrian who, during World War II, escaped from a British internment camp in
India and walked across the Himalayas. Harrer eventually arrived in Tibet, where he spent
seven years with the Dalai Lama.
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