Overview
The Dalai Lama explains the principles of meditation in a practice-oriented format especially suited to Westerners. Based upon the middle section of the Bhavanakrama by Kamalashila, a translation of which is included, this is the most extensive commentary given by the Dalai Lama on this concise but important meditation handbook. It is a favorite text of the Dalai Lama, and he often takes the opportunity to give teachings on it to audiences throughout the world. In his words, "This text can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures." Topics include the nature of mind, how to develop compassion and loving-kindness, calm abiding wisdom, and how to establish a union of calm abiding and special insight.
Synopsis
The Dalai Lama explains the principles of meditation in a prectice-oriented format especially suited to Westerners.
Library Journal
The Dalai Lama has scarcely been silent or inaccessible; he is without a doubt the best-known representative of not only the plight of his country of Tibet under the hard rule of Communist China but of the practices of Tibetan Buddhism itself. is This brief work, aimed especially at the Western reader, expounds, in the master's typically unruffled style, how to recognize the nature of suffering and how to achieve wisdom and "calm abiding." While this is not the easiest or clearest introduction to Buddhist practice, any work from the hand of the Dalai Lama will arouse intense interest in Buddhist and non-Buddhist readers alike. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.