- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Element; New edition edition (20 Jan 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007138873
- ISBN-13: 978-0007138876
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 18.6 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
813,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #97 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Dalai Lama
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, is widely respected as one of the world's great spiritual teachers. Although he is from one particular school of Buddhism, the Tibetan, Buddhists from most traditions find his work both acceptable and inspiring, because he tends to stress the broad features rather than the narrow.
A Simple Path, based on talks he gave in London in 1996, exemplifies this approach by discussing the essence of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths: the nature of suffering; the origin of suffering and the law of karma; cessation of suffering through liberation; and the path to achieving this.
The Dalai Lama also covers other central Buddhist teachings, such as the interdependence of reality, the principle of non-violence, the Three Jewels--the Buddha himself, the Dharma or teaching, and the Sangha, or community of practitioners--and much more including, crucially, compassion. The essence of Buddhism may indeed be a simple path, but the philosophy is endlessly complex; this book is not an introductory text for the complete beginner!
The text of the book has appeared previously, both as The Four Noble Truths and as part of The Heart of the Buddha's Path, so it's worth checking your shelves before buying it. The "added value" of this edition comes from the 80+ stunning colour photographs by Ian Cumming, which are intended to complement, rather than merely illustrate the text. These images of Tibetan monks, monasteries and mountains are truly inspiring; they make the world of Tibetan Buddhism, and the home from which the Dalai Lama has been exiled, come to life in a remarkable way for Western readers. --David V. Barrett --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
The only four-colour, fully illustrated book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, author of two recent international bestsellers. This will be a perfect gift for anyone interested in one of the most beloved spiritual leaders of our time.
This sumptuous, fully illustrated book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers a perfect introduction to Buddhism and the remarkable landscape and culture of Tibet. In the text, based on lectures on the four noble truths given in London, the Dalai Lama lays out the fundamentals of the Buddhist path, showing us how we can develop our compassion and find happiness in any situation. The photographs, by Ian Cumming, show the context in which this profound teaching developed, from the stunning landscapes and Tibetan people, to scenes of monastery life, prayer wheels and beautiful artwork. This is a must-have book for admirers of the Dalai Lama and is an ideal gift.
N.B. The book is an edited version of The Four Noble Truths and is now an even more concise, lucid exposition of the fundamentals of Buddhist teaching.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Firstly, I do not have the ability or intention to comment on the text or the Dalai Lama's teaching. But for the potential reader or student of Buddhism I can say that for me the book provides an excellent contextual (although detailed) basis for understanding the Four Noble Truths. I am sure that many would find the discussion easy to understand but I had to and and still have to reread it to grasp some of the concepts but each time I feel rewarded by the effort. I strongly recommend it for students who wish to become more familiar with the Four Noble Truths. The text is an edited transcript of the lectures given by the Dalai Lama at the Barbican theatre some years ago. I find it is useful to read in conjunction with the DVD on the Four Noble Truths(only from amazon.com)which is still available to watch on youtube.
Format:Paperback
It is a very glossy book with beautiful illustrations and short sections on the basic concepts of Buddhism. It is simple and informative, making it an educational yet light read.
I have been a fan of His Holiness for several years and have read several of his books, he is a fascinating man and an inspiration to the world. If everyone would take the time to listen to this wonderful man the world would be a better place.
I have been Buddhist for several years and have read many books on the subject, but this one is just simple and pleasurable to read, there are plenty of complex books out there for the more discerning reader, but I think this is a must for anyone with an interest in Buddhism.
I have been a fan of His Holiness for several years and have read several of his books, he is a fascinating man and an inspiration to the world. If everyone would take the time to listen to this wonderful man the world would be a better place.
I have been Buddhist for several years and have read many books on the subject, but this one is just simple and pleasurable to read, there are plenty of complex books out there for the more discerning reader, but I think this is a must for anyone with an interest in Buddhism.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Simply beautiful
8 Mar 2001
Format:Hardcover
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 photgraphs, perfectly compliment the text of His Holiness.And at this price?!?! What an exquisite book, and what a bargain. Absolutely magnificent! Highest recommendation.
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Simple Path / Graduate Level Book
23 Dec 2003
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
(3.75 Stars)
The cover of the book is so warm and inviting. His Holiness The Dalai Lama smiling at you with mouth and eyes. Every time I look at it I smile. I'm tempted to cut the cover off and frame it...
The book discusses in great detail the 4 Noble Truths.
It's difficult to write a review on books regarding Buddhism. Everyone's experience will be different and everyone's understanding will be different and I don't want to discourage anyone from exploring The Path...
For myself I found this book difficult to follow. Someone else may take to it better and find it an easier to understand (I ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer)
I felt like a freshmen walking in late to a lecture and the audience and class this was for was all graduate students. I felt like I missed the beginning of the talk and that the level of content was for more advanced students.
I do not recommend this to a newcomer to Buddhism, again I found the "level" to be more advanced, but that's your call and like I said you may take to it better than I did and hey - it's your path.
I did get things out of the book and did learn some things. I felt incredibly honored to be reading the words of HH The Dalai Lama and that's what kept me reading.
The photographs are absolutely beautiful! - and again - I love the cover!
83 of 99 people found the following review helpful
A gorgeous volume with luscious photographs
27 Oct 2000
Format:Hardcover
I must confess, I picked up this book because it was just so lovely! It is nicely bound, on superb high quality glossy paper, with stunning photographs of Tibet. Everything about it just makes you want to cradle, or worship, it.
Then there's the text. They took a lecture that H. H. the Dalai Lama gave on the 4 Noble Truths and cut it (thank heavens) and put it in the book. The result is weird. The extremely philosophical treatise makes an odd accompaniment to scenes of Tibet. On the one hand, you're reading about how all the world is suffering and we are ignorant louts for getting so caught up in this illusion, and then we glance at the photograph (every pair of pages has one, so you're always looking at something wonderful). I thought, "Gee, if I'm not supposed to care about the world, or I'm not supposed to delight in its pleasures and glories, then what is all this color and visual drama? Illusion?" Thus, the book highlights in an unwitting way one of the paradoxes of Buddhism... we try to disentangle ourselves from the grosser life of merely sensate pleasure but we can and should still love the world. Who says Christianity has a corner on the market of paradox?!
Still, there are some real textual gems and pearls scattered in the pages, and it is quick reading because of all the pictures. Occasionally you'll have to slog through a passage on Tibetan cosmology and physics, which sounds pretty medieval, but then you come across a glorious section that makes your heart sing.
It's a fun ride!
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