The Dalai Lama: His Essential Wisdom

by Dalai Lama XIV

One of the world's foremost spiritual leaders, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has traveled the glove to spread his undying message of compassion, love, peace, and kindness for close to half a century. The Dalai His Essential Wisdom is a collection of hundreds of inspiring quotations from His Holiness. The selections are drawn largely from his writings, teachings, interviews, speeches, and other statements made during the course of his more than forty-eight years as the exiled spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. In these excerpts, the Dalai Lama reflects with wisdom that is both profound and down-to-earth upon the need for compassion and kindness, the search for happiness, the way to peace, the meaning of pain and suffering, the role of religion, the power of meditation, and the challenges of life in the modern world. In other selections, His Holiness recalls his singular childhood, the turmoil surrounding the Communist takeover of Tibet, and his life as the exiled spiritual leader of millions of Tibetans. Brimming with warmth, humor, and practical advice, the selections gathered here powerfully illuminate why His Holiness the Dalai Lama is beloved the world over for his timeless wisdom for all humanity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Buddhism

122 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts with a four page introduction, which introduced the the contextual history of this, the 14th Dalai Lama. The last few pages are the chronology of the man through 2006, when the book went to print. The bulk of the book are chapters (compassion, love, kindness & friendship, happiness, environment…) full of his own words taken from his speeches or writings. The first few chapters are about the teachings of Buddhism and his own path to being the leader. Many places in the book he talks about the responsibility he feels for Tibet, his home that he cannot return to because of the Chinese government. There is a lot of wisdom here and I enjoyed it very much. If only enlightenment could be found in a book we’d all be better off, but this is the next best thing. I look forward to picking it up again in the future. Highly recommended.

[Galina Kalvatchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Quick read and at the same time profound. It offers an important and powerful message as well as practical advice that anyone can benefit from regardless of religious beliefs.

[Jennifer Rosener · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read... Small snippet quotes.

[T HH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the Dalai Lama's teachings; but being an introduction, it lacks the depth of his other writings.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"As a technique to identify the basic nature of the mind, first stop remembering what happened in the past, then stop thinking about what might happen in the future; let the mind flow of its own accord without the overlay of thought...."
This book is a abundant collection of inspiring and thought provoking quotations of the Dalai Lama. He is an extraordinary charismatic man!

[Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading these excerpts of wisdom from the man himself. Compassion, love, and altruism are all that are needed to facilitate a kinder and gentler world. Not only must we love ourselves first, but once that's done, we can carry it on to others. Buddhism is a religion whose philosophies I can support.

[Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an easy read. It seems like a nice collection of hundreds of quotes drawn from the Dalai Lama's speeches, interviews, and writings. They all appear to be centered on themes like compassion, kindness, and inner peace. It’s easy to pick up for a quick dose of calm or inspiration. That said, it leans more toward sentiment than substance which makes it nice but a bit shallow.

[Willywa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be Kind

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity."

[Linh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gave more insight on the Dalai Lama's thoughts. Very inspiring and motivating.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate this exposure to Buddhist beliefs & the Dalai Lama. I knew very little.

It’s a challenge to relate to the details here since my fundamental belief is in a Higher Power and Buddhism is based on enlightenment. But I respect the exposure. These are my top 3 quotes:

“The ultimate nature of everyone is pure. This belief will calm our mind and will reduce negative feelings.”

“If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then also, there is no need to worry.”

“We are human beings – one of our better qualities is our ability to think and judge. If we lose patience and get angry, we lose our ability to make proper judgments and thereby lose one of the most powerful instruments we have for tackling problems: our wisdom.”

[Janet C-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book that I read on a 2-3 hr flight. The book describes a bit about the life of the Dalai Lama within a historical context and the teachings of Buddhism. It also covers a range of philosophies and beliefs, including the need for compassion, love, forgiveness, kindness and friendship which are generally promoted among many faith traditions. Some of the beliefs, such as belief in reincarnation, are different than my own religious beliefs, but that does not take away from the value of the book. I think the book serves as a good staring point for someone who is not familiar with Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. I have a great respect for the Dalai Lama and understand why he looks so happy, despite his difficult life circumstances.

[Michael Rivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already believed many of the beliefs and have suspected I was Buddhist but never knew until now. My beliefs are align with everything the dalai believes and gives pretty good insight of how to treat people and how it all starts with you. There IS a difference between religious and spiritual and this is a book that covers fundamentals about your own spirituality and it is up to you to decide anything from there.

[Nina R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! This book was given to me by my friend during one of the most challenging times in my life. I encourage anyone to read it if one wants simple answers on how to approach personal challenges/issues one may face. It really put things into perspective for me in a positive way!

[Aayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for some enlightened thinki
ng and some positive ideas, since I am also reading Columbine right now. This was a good reminder of the way Buddhists think and the things they strive for, and it helped me feel less depressed.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, simple passages organized by subject. Uplifting quotes that makes me wish to spend some time each day reflecting on his positive philosophy.

[Armando · Rating 5 out of 5]

great message. quick read. love the Dalai. read it.

[Anda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to keep on your nightstand and read a bit anytime you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

[Kathy Cramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to be more like him.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed. Got it from a friend, didn't know what to expect. bite size philosophy.