Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life

by Kelsang Gyatso

Beginning with Buddha’s life story, this concise guide explains the essential elements of the Buddhist way of life, such as understanding the mind, rebirth, karma and ultimate truth, and what it means to be a Buddhist. Meditation is explained clearly and simply as a tool for developing qualities such as inner peace, love and patience. The emphasis throughout is on the practical application of Buddhist ideas and practice to find solutions to everyday problems. Those interested in Buddhism and meditation will find this book a rich source of guidance and inspiration.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

*'Geshe' is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation Master and internationally renowned Teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. Presenting Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and suitable for modern people with busy lives, he shows how these teachings can be used by anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, to solve problems, improve relationships and eventually attain a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.

He has also created all the conditions necessary to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern society: writing 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddha; establishing over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist centers and groups throughout the world; developing modern study programmes; training qualified Teachers; and establishing local, national and international courses, festivals and retreats. Through all these and other activities Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is giving new life to Buddhism, enabling people everywhere to discover inner peace and happiness through Buddha’s teachings, thereby bringing greater peace to a troubled world.

The term "Rinpoche," added to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's name, is a Tibetan word that means "Precious One," and has been added as a mark of deepest respect.

To discover more about Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s compassionate vision and activities visit http://tharpa.com/us/benefit-all-worl....

Reviews

[Monica Casanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful book to begin your journey in exploring Buddhism. The author has written a multitude of books on this aspect of spirituality. The most important detail about this book is that it does not push any beliefs onto the reader. It does not make claims that this is the only way and that you MUST follow this way. It's a very open and informative way to look at Buddhism. This book begins with a brief history on Buddha and his story. Much emphasis is placed on the fact that Buddha chose this path and for the reader that this is a chosen path. Along with it being a chosen path, there are many things that may be detrimental to being able to follow this path in the most beneficial and enlightening way there is for yourself. Here, morals are discussed and they are, in my opinion, logical and truly common sense. Similar to praying in christianity, buddhism translates that into meditation and how that time is to listen to a higher calling. The body, mind and spirit are essential to nurturing a soul embarking on the buddhist path.

Many revelations are encouraged to take place to attain enlightenment and to reach levels or mental tranquility by simply changing your way of thinking. The power of the mind and its' delusions are also addressed in this book.

This book is a great source to get insight into buddhism from a monk who was ordained at the age or 8! It's language is simply and terminology is perfect to convey its message. A peaceful and honest tone is what I took most from this. Anyone can read this book and get good insight whether you decide to pursue this path or are simply interested in knowing more about it. The most important thing, I will say, is that NOTHING is forced upon the reader and only encouraged. Very wise information is in the book for any individual to read. Buddhism is often viewed as a religion, and in some aspects it is, but it is primarily a way to live life and this book demonstrates that incredibly well.

[Mohita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometime few months ago, i was intensely passionate about Buddhism, the reason: The wheel of karma, and meditation, I believed in both these arts.
My father is an avid fan of yoga and meditation, having done almost few forms of yoga and meditation such as Art of Living, a 10 day course of complete silence and solitary meditating , i went on to do the same thing and realized that all of those are a form of Buddhism, though I am not a Buddhist, I prefer following Buddhism, because of the peace it brings.
The Book, is a basic understanding of Buddhism, and power of meditation, a brief story about the first Buddha, and his power. Over all, I'd recommend you to read the book if you believe what I did :)

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book presents Buddhism as a religion where you pray to Buddhas (yes, multiple) and risk being reincarnated as a hungry spirit if you so much as slap and kill a mosquito in anger. Kind of creepy. It is a rather misleading introduction to Buddhism in my humble opinion.

[Ana Andrade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book I’ve ever read. This was my first approach to Buddhists texts and I’m unsure how much of the ideologies are from the Kadampa’s tradition or Buddhism itself.

But, this book gives you the feeling as if you are joining a cult: you are only allowed to study and read texts from the same author, which surprisingly (not really) is the founder of the Kadampa’s tradition, he has some “super powers” of identifying reincarnated souls in different bodies and, the most shocking statement, once you become a Bodhisattva, all of your actions are considered good (including killing because you are so “enlightened” that your intentions are always for the best interests of society). But that’s not the worst part, for the rest of us (the suffering kind) if we kill an insect or a little mosquito even if it’s by accident or without a negative intention, chances are we will reincarnate in the animal realm, from which it is almost impossible and it might take hundreds of years to escalate back to the human realm.

According to the author, the body does not matter at all, in fact, nothing matters because the existence of the I is not real. We are only minds reincarnating from body to body and we can actually take other peoples bodies in this life if we experience problems with the current one (whattttt??).

And can we talk about KARMA?! So apparently, everything that happens to me (regardless if in this life I’m a great caring, empathetic person) it’s because of my past lives karma. So let’s suppose that I was born in a country in Africa where my basic needs are not being fulfilled, I live in extremely poverty and have to deal with deadly deseases such as malaria.. well guess what? All of that is my fault, or let’s call it properly, it’s my karma. Having such a “negative karma” it’s because in my pasts lives I was probably greedy and was involved in sexual misconduct. So I won’t be able to change those circumstances in this life, and my job is to accept it fully because even having negative thoughts about that situation such as injustice, anger, etc will continue adding BAD KARMA to my future lives.

There are just so many statements of the book that makes no sense but the author states them as if they are the only truth. I would advise you to be mindful and careful if you decide to read it and please question every single word of this book.

[✨ kathryn ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an in-depth (and occasionally not particularly accessible) introduction, to be honest, but definitely worth a read. A book that can be returned to time after time for clarification on Buddhism.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an important book for me, because I eventually became a student and member of this tradition, the New Kadampa Tradition of Buddhism. The author of this is the founder of this organization, adn he is a Tibetan Buddhist monk who moved to England, split from the main Gelugpa tradition, and began his own. On first encountering this dharma, I was struck by its analysis of the endless struggle of ordinary human life, and this conformed with my views. It went deeper than other religious teachings I have experienced, to some essential truths about the human condition. At the same time, there are aspects of this dharma that I have not had an easy time accepting, such as some of the ideas concerning karma.

Through meditation and study, I have come to be aware of the existence within myself of a soul (called the "very subtle mind" by Gyatso) that is primary to and independent of the body and ordinary mind. I now believe that reincarnation of this soul is a very distinct possibility. Gyatso does wonderful job of outlining the basics of his Tibetan Buddhist teachings in this wonderful book. Since Buddhism has grown in popularity in the West, there are many introductory books out there, but this was the one that had the biggest impact on me.

[Georgia♡]

First of all let me say that I have no intention of ever practicing Buddhism. It’s a religion that has merely always interested me and I wanted to learn more about it. Do I understand it more now after reading this book? Absolutely not. Buddhism is extremely complicated and my tiny mind could not even begin to comprehend what was being explained to me in this book.
Regardless, this is a good introduction to Buddhism for anyone interested but it is definitely difficult to follow. For that reason I will not even begin to try to rate this.

[Cullen is not the droid you’ve been looking for. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beneficial reading for those who want to recognize Buddhism as it is not. No mention of the 8-fold path, barely a word on the 4 noble truths - these are the foundations of Buddhist practice and belief. This promotes a merit based and fear mongering brand of practice that is highly contrary to the actually teachings. Largely a sales pitch for the authors other books and own sect. I would recommend only for those looking to test their understanding of Dhamma.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative n dat. Cheers Gyatso!

[Graciela Abinader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went to the meditation center in nyc founded by the author. The center’s philosophy was “Buddhism in modern times,” emphasizing the idea that Buddhism and meditation can be cultivated in a bustling city (like nyc), amid modern technology, and without the need for isolation. So, I thought the book would amplify these kinds of ideals.

Needless to say, I was disappointed when the teachings emphasized the more technical aspects of Buddhism, like salvation through Dharma, rather than the practical ones. All and all, though culturally enriching, I wouldn’t recommend it on someone wanting to know the 101s, like myself.

[Shayan Javadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

So what did you think about this book I thought I thought it was this this book is like a brochure that you get I like does a really bad analogy because Buddhism isn’t anything like Scientology want me maybe but this is like the brochure they get at the door and what was that Scientology why did you bring that into this this is a virtue of this at the entrance of Scientology and then you’re like I’m interested so they handled it like a manual in the manuals hiding a lot of things and it’s in the language of assumption that you’re already interested in this and that you’re also about to do also but it was your attention as of very veryIt’s a very simple guy to Buddhism which is nice but I feel like unless he wants I feel like the spirituality you can just have a manual you can or you can’t you can’t tear you can’t just so you can’t I know when you can that’s one way of it but I’m afraid for a way of it is just getting the threads and like not without the beads it’s like you just have to threads and you’re not relying on the premade meals for you that the teachers that have years of experience and personal like experience with all this can give you so so I guessIt’s more interesting to just get it threats because they can push it on me than that and I think spirituality is collecting those bees in your threads in the threads or just other peoples experiences so I like feel it bro do you got a like feeling well exactly I read this and they sure was very nice sure I feel like this book if anything turned me off of Buddhism because like if it was a religious thing with the present stuff as fast for real like why why does this theory why this mantra virus in the way that
And I think for someone like me who has good like an egg with religion already having like religious trauma I don’t I can’t go into this just being hand those nice box of wisdom plus some bias I need like the materials and I will put it together myself and come to whatever conclusion there is to come to so you picked up an introduction book to a religion and you’re mad that it’s a religion it’s a book that promotes a religion yes safely feisty as for is for nerves and I’m not a noob know it’s not the first time I’ve been hand that I religious book and I have to like that I just absorbent so I’m I have a I have a kidI am cool ideas I think I know the basics of Buddhism and what it is and it clears up a lot of mosquitoes that means that misconceptions that karma and ring carnation and will put us I guess this type of resin believes so three are a star only because it’s not what I was looking for but it did service purpose of being a book book middle of the way book that is like and I have the choice of like you know I like it further or this isn’t for you or you’re like this is enough let’s play a game for how long we can say

[Nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I was tired of secular, bastardized mindfulness practices masquerading as Buddhism and wanted to learn a bit more about Buddhist traditions. This book describes pretty modern traditions, but it was still beautiful, and a quick read. It opened a window of understanding for me.

I do not recommend this book to folks who are "religion-hunting" for a form of Buddhism that fits beliefs that they already have. I DO recommend it to folks who enjoy considering new perspectives and anyone seeking info on modern Buddhist cosmology.

When you pick this one up, you need to know that the author is a monk and scholar of the New Kadampa Tradition (a very new Buddhist order that claims lineage through the Gelugpa tradition). There are a LOT of different orders, and they are all distinct.

Like all theology, Buddhism contains real pragmatic wisdom but also divine imagery and superstition, so this book discusses deities, cosmology, lucid dreaming, and reincarnation. These elements may sound wild to Westerners, but the reason they have been passed down through the lineage is that they serve purposes and hold truth for millions of people. If you keep ask questions, sit with the ideas in meditation, and remain open-minded, you may find some benefit in them too.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, it gave me a much better insight into who buddah was as well as their thoughts about what it means to be a buddhist. In this explanation of the Buddhists way I was able to understand past and future lives, along with receiving a clear idea about karma and clarity on meditation... which by the way is why I bought the book in the first place. During this read I learned about the path to enlightenment, thankfuly this also made sense to me.

This wonderful intoduction to Buddah, turned into a clear, consise intro into what I gradually discovered to be a whole new world. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, has a most gentle, encouraging way in which he describes the buddhist theory, practice and its lifestyle.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. I enjoy learning about other cultures and religions but near the end of this book it became quite hard going for someone who isn't Buddhist or religious. Glad I read it though. My past idea of Buddhism is much different to the reality from reading this.

[retnolaras · Rating 2 out of 5]

very brief introduction I think. a lot of mentioned of other books to go into detail for most of the part, which left the reader hanging. I got the same information from wikipedia Buddhism page, but wikipedia provided me additional link instead of tell me to buy other books.

[Kevin Tuttle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good overview of "religious" Buddhism, Lamrim, and the New Kadampa tradtiion.

[Kunden Kelsang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is written very clearly and simply with examples and stories. It has a gentle tone and is very inspiring. It gives us the confidence to be the best person that we can be.

[Rose Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso but this covers the basics also.

[Sarah Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple easy to read rendition, insightful as an introduction can be

[Charlemagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very much what the title suggests; an introduction to all of the concepts of Kadampa Buddhist Practice and general Buddhist Lore and Philosophy. It’s FULL of information and ideas, but definitely only a vehicle to get the ideas across so you can read the more in-depth material but it also gives you a great guide for further reading and study into the study.
Also the glossary is super useful, for those that aren’t familiar with a lot of these words or concepts, you shouldn’t have to hard of a time with working out what all of the passages mean in a literal sense, though naturally as a philosophical text, it can be very difficult to comprehend in places because it’s so high concept (or in its’ case, non-concept).

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Read the Dutch version*

As someone with little knowledge of Buddhism this was an enlightning (hehe) read. At times mister Gyatso got very vague or extremely techniqual. Which could be confusing.

(How do you explain nothingness? Well this guy sure gave it a try.)

The layout of the chapters made all the rules and info hard to follow sometimes. I almost wanted to take notes because I was afraid I'd loose the thread.

Most importantly: buddhism is a religion. And like all religions this one wants you to give it your full undivided attention. There is no room for doubt, for exploration. It's either: try to follow the buddha teachings or become a hungry ghost or animal and suffer for eternity in the samsara.

I think I'll take my chances.

[Adam Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having my hole life change for the worse about 3 months ago I have been struggling to find something to help me cope , I've been practicing meditation now for around 2 months and a friend recommended this book.
It's a tricky book to read i feel that lucky for me i could relate to some of the negative emotions and mind set it discusses and so was determined to work thorough it. At times the book seems almost too much it the different levels it introduces you to, it's very very deep and can at times be almost to much to follow, i feel this is a book of study, if I could have kept it for longer i would have read it a few times, although what i did read and understand was incredibly helpful and mind opening. Don't expect to read it once and understand this is an intro to a way of life.

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Não acredito que esta seja uma introdução ao
budismo. Pra mim esse livro é um guia pra quem já
estudou, mas continua na fase "iniciante" do assunto.
Por mais que exista um dicionário no final, são
MUITOS conceitos e nomenclaturas, sendo muitas
delas associadas a outras. Três treinos superiores, 7
sofrimentos do samsara, disciplina mora superior,
nove permanências mentais, tranquilo permanecer,
jóias dharma, etc (esses são apenas alguns dos
muitos). Com isso, em alguns casos, se você não
entende algo do conceito inicial, nem adianta tentar
entender um outro conceito que o sucede. Além
disso, acho que alguns conceitos poderiam ser mais
explicados.

[Benoit Marinoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. I understand it was an introduction and it was not meant to go in depth on the subject necessarily, but after the first half of the book I found the content was a snooze. There were lots of mention about other books from that author to find out more about this and that which is ok, but at the same time I found very annoying to not just go more in depth a bit in that actual book. It was a small book, so quick to read but didn’t find the writing very engaging to keep you into it. So overall very average in my opinion.

[Joseph Brant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting. At times, it was a little too complex for my understanding of the subject. I’m not sure it was the best introductory book, but it was definitely informational. The writing wasn’t breathtaking, but many of the messages were. I’m excited to dig deeper into this topic now that I have a foundational understanding of it.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein interessantes Buch, aber wenn man kein angehender Buddhist ist, wird es schwierig dieses Buch zu verstehen. Es ist nicht so das ich nix vom Buch verstanden habe, nur manche Dinge hätte man verständlicher für einen Erstleser in diesem Thema geschrieben, was für die meisten gilt. Trotzdem interessant

[Bob Shadel · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of good living practices. Almost nothing as powerful as meditation.
But rebirth?? Don't think so...
Also can't get away without thinking that this practice was started in horrific conditions of poverty and is this a way to escape the world these people were in??

[Víctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una guía básica para entender los conceptos y prácticas esenciales del budismo. Interesante si se planea conocer más acerca de esta religión, pero no recomendado si se busca seguir un movimiento más detallado como el budismo zen.

[DanielKnight1988 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to Mahayana Buddhism and in general. Despite the critics accusing Mr Gyatso as an occultist; the author delivers a secure foundation for all beings to build liberation and happiness. Highly recommend for those interested in the Buddhist way.

[Elwyn Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful introduction to Buddhism for anyone wishing to learn more about the historical origins of the Buddhist faith. I know this because I first read this book in 2003 and it changed my life.