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Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings
His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers powerful, profound advice on how to live a peaceful and fulfilling life amidst all the conflicts of the modern world. In this distillation of his life and teachings, the Dalai Lama paints a compelling portrait of his early life, reflecting on the personal and political struggles that have helped to shape his understanding of our world. Offering his wisdom and experience to interpret the timeless teachings of the Buddha, The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace is fresh and relevant to our troubled times. He explains in a simple and accessible way how each of us can influence those around us by living with integrity. And he holds out hope that, through personal transformation, we can all contribute to a better world.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2009
230 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,554 books6,220 followersJetsun 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 5, 2019
“Try to help others. If you are not able to be of help, then at least do them no harm” (p. xi)
The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings is short and sweet (hard to tell on kindle, but this didn't feel like 400 pages). It quickly gives an overview of the Dalai Lama's early adult life, how he left Tibet, and basic spiritual teachings from Buddhism, ending with a description of karma and reincarnation.
This was a lovely image of mindfulness: "Your mindfulness should be that of someone who is forced to walk with a full glass of milk on his head, and who is under sentence of death if a single drop escapes" (p. 312).
The Dalai Lama outlines some difficult spiritual dilemmas:
"Imagine a monk who is approached by hundreds of hunters who ask him whether he has seen an animal pass by. If he has, what should he do? As a monk, he should tell the truth. But in this precise situation, if he is truthful the hunters will find the animal and kill it. So in such a case, it is better to hide the truth." (p. 310)
And he gently reminds us of our desire to attach to certain outcomes: "There are no certainties. Everything that comes together falls apart, anything high ends up low, meetings finish in separation, and life ends in death. Our happiness is continuously flowing away. And all our belongings are subject to change. Nothing that we normally think of as real is actually permanent" (p. 320).
As a young woman I know recently died in childbirth, this was a nice reminder: "Young people who seem strong and healthy, but who die young, are masters who teach us impermanence" (p. 321). Nice to know that there is a lesson here. (I'm not saying this with a dash of cynicism.)
The Little Book is not my favorite book on Buddhism or by the Dalai Lama, however. (Try The Book of Joy.) I wish The Little Book went into greater depth in its discussions of compassion and mindfulness. I believe in "soft" karma (what you do will bite you in the end), but not the kind that the Dalai Lama describes or that related to reincarnation:
"We could say that, in general, the evolution of the universe is linked to the karma of beings. This is quite a complex matter, but let's take the example of climate change. Imagine a community that is dominated by hatred and anger. I think that this sort of negative emotion could have an impact on their environment, and could contribute to producing a heat wave or drought. If we imagine another group in which attachment and covetousness are very strong and widespread, this might be the cause of high rainfall and floods. I am only considering these possibilities, I am not saying anything definitive here." (p. 365)
On the other hand, as the Dalai Lama concludes, "whether it be on an individual or a community level, there is no doubt that the actions of each one of us, the behavior and mood we have day after day, month after month, and year after year, will have an influence on the collective environment" (p. 365). He and I might only disagree with how our actions will have an influence.
I read The Little Book straight through over the course of a week or so. I think it would be better used as a series of contemplations prior to a meditation practice.
The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings is short and sweet (hard to tell on kindle, but this didn't feel like 400 pages). It quickly gives an overview of the Dalai Lama's early adult life, how he left Tibet, and basic spiritual teachings from Buddhism, ending with a description of karma and reincarnation.
This was a lovely image of mindfulness: "Your mindfulness should be that of someone who is forced to walk with a full glass of milk on his head, and who is under sentence of death if a single drop escapes" (p. 312).
The Dalai Lama outlines some difficult spiritual dilemmas:
"Imagine a monk who is approached by hundreds of hunters who ask him whether he has seen an animal pass by. If he has, what should he do? As a monk, he should tell the truth. But in this precise situation, if he is truthful the hunters will find the animal and kill it. So in such a case, it is better to hide the truth." (p. 310)
And he gently reminds us of our desire to attach to certain outcomes: "There are no certainties. Everything that comes together falls apart, anything high ends up low, meetings finish in separation, and life ends in death. Our happiness is continuously flowing away. And all our belongings are subject to change. Nothing that we normally think of as real is actually permanent" (p. 320).
As a young woman I know recently died in childbirth, this was a nice reminder: "Young people who seem strong and healthy, but who die young, are masters who teach us impermanence" (p. 321). Nice to know that there is a lesson here. (I'm not saying this with a dash of cynicism.)
The Little Book is not my favorite book on Buddhism or by the Dalai Lama, however. (Try The Book of Joy.) I wish The Little Book went into greater depth in its discussions of compassion and mindfulness. I believe in "soft" karma (what you do will bite you in the end), but not the kind that the Dalai Lama describes or that related to reincarnation:
"We could say that, in general, the evolution of the universe is linked to the karma of beings. This is quite a complex matter, but let's take the example of climate change. Imagine a community that is dominated by hatred and anger. I think that this sort of negative emotion could have an impact on their environment, and could contribute to producing a heat wave or drought. If we imagine another group in which attachment and covetousness are very strong and widespread, this might be the cause of high rainfall and floods. I am only considering these possibilities, I am not saying anything definitive here." (p. 365)
On the other hand, as the Dalai Lama concludes, "whether it be on an individual or a community level, there is no doubt that the actions of each one of us, the behavior and mood we have day after day, month after month, and year after year, will have an influence on the collective environment" (p. 365). He and I might only disagree with how our actions will have an influence.
I read The Little Book straight through over the course of a week or so. I think it would be better used as a series of contemplations prior to a meditation practice.
May 17, 2019
The Dalai Lamas Little Book of Inner Peace
I only read half of the book his ideas and mine are completely different. When he said that you have to rely only on yourself that is where I stopped. He also talks about the world being over populated. That isn't the problem . Governments that steal the food from the starving. Not allowing capable people to irrigate wastelands. Those are the problems.
I only read half of the book his ideas and mine are completely different. When he said that you have to rely only on yourself that is where I stopped. He also talks about the world being over populated. That isn't the problem . Governments that steal the food from the starving. Not allowing capable people to irrigate wastelands. Those are the problems.
October 24, 2020
For the budha in training
Thank you for you ever lasting words of wisdom and reassurance. I know this just the beginning and there will be reminders along the way. Baby steps and a good routine and heart will get me there. Thank you!
Thank you for you ever lasting words of wisdom and reassurance. I know this just the beginning and there will be reminders along the way. Baby steps and a good routine and heart will get me there. Thank you!
November 27, 2017
The idea of 'Karma' brings a mixed feelings to me. With my logic, I understand better that you and the most of things in the world exist by chance and things happen random. Whatever happen to you may not have any hidden meanings.
The idea of 'karma' can be comforting, knowing what you do in this life would change the outcomes of next life. At the same time, it seems very passive idea that what ever happens to you in this life are all consequences of what you did in the past life.
The idea of 'karma' can be comforting, knowing what you do in this life would change the outcomes of next life. At the same time, it seems very passive idea that what ever happens to you in this life are all consequences of what you did in the past life.
January 30, 2018
5+++ Stars. This is one of those books that you will remember reading for a lifetime, it’s incredible. It took me forever to finish reading this book because I would need to pause and reflect upon what he had written for a day or two...often times making entries into my personal journal on how I felt about ‘this or that’.
A must read....
A must read....
November 18, 2018
I kept this book by my chair and read a bit of it whenever I sat down there. It was a great way to read it.
The book is written in short page-long bits of wisdom and observations.
I learned a lot about the Dalai Lama himself, Buddhism and myself.
Highly recommended.
The book is written in short page-long bits of wisdom and observations.
I learned a lot about the Dalai Lama himself, Buddhism and myself.
Highly recommended.
January 21, 2019
This book is indeed little, just 140 pages and as the title suggests it provides insights to the early life of the Dalai Lama and his fundamental teachings. There are other books of Buddhism which are more detailed and in-depth but this is a great little book on the essentials of Buddhism.
December 5, 2018
Wonderful wisdom for people of all faiths
April 2, 2019
How can you not rate the spiritual information from the Dalai Lama at a 5 out of 5!
May 27, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much, and have shared it with friends. The Dalai Lama is a great spiritual teacher and has a very positive outlook on life.
April 5, 2022
Reflection on my inner peace continues.
August 18, 2025
The beliefs and opinions of a very compassionate man.
October 19, 2023
Definitely worth re-reading from time to time.
August 19, 2009
The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings
I read this little book in one night. The first half of the book gives a brief autobiography, a summary of the state of Tibet and a summary of the state of the world. None of this is in depth. In the second half of the book, he talks about his own beliefs and how they bring inner peace. The book, as a whole, gives a good background of who the Dalai Lama is, in a well rounded, if not detailed, manner. I have several books in my library by the Dalai Lama, but I'm glad that I read this one first
The book is the words of the Dalai Lama, himself, but the book was put together by Frédérique Hatier. The quotes are kept individual and titled topically. Reading the quote following any title would provide food for thought, and for the most part would be suitable meditation for any religious belief. Even as a Christian, though I disagree with some of his beliefs about God, his words provided me the opportunity to affirm my own beliefs. Though we disagree on that one point, there is very little else we disagree on. And there is no argument with this disagreement. Our paths vary slightly (much less than I thought, though the one point is a major one), but our goals are the same. We both desire love and peace for our world.
This is a book I enjoyed reading and will read again, although probably not straight through, but rather, as an adjunct to my personal meditations.
I read this little book in one night. The first half of the book gives a brief autobiography, a summary of the state of Tibet and a summary of the state of the world. None of this is in depth. In the second half of the book, he talks about his own beliefs and how they bring inner peace. The book, as a whole, gives a good background of who the Dalai Lama is, in a well rounded, if not detailed, manner. I have several books in my library by the Dalai Lama, but I'm glad that I read this one first
The book is the words of the Dalai Lama, himself, but the book was put together by Frédérique Hatier. The quotes are kept individual and titled topically. Reading the quote following any title would provide food for thought, and for the most part would be suitable meditation for any religious belief. Even as a Christian, though I disagree with some of his beliefs about God, his words provided me the opportunity to affirm my own beliefs. Though we disagree on that one point, there is very little else we disagree on. And there is no argument with this disagreement. Our paths vary slightly (much less than I thought, though the one point is a major one), but our goals are the same. We both desire love and peace for our world.
This is a book I enjoyed reading and will read again, although probably not straight through, but rather, as an adjunct to my personal meditations.
April 26, 2009
A little book from which you may be able to glean the basics behind Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. It's about 5 inches square, and there's nothing hard hitting about it. And, as I soon found out by picking up another, slightly larger book with the Dalai Lama's face on it, there's nothing original about it, either.
I've always felt, if you're going to learn about something, why not "from the horse's mouth? But the idea that His Holiness poured his heart and soul into this one little anonymous book, only to write another -- and then another -- quite a bit like it... Silly. This book is silly.
I only read it because I won it in a drawing here at Goodreads. I'm only reviewing it because I want to win more and the little bar on the right says my chances go up if I review past winnings, since that's the whole reason they give out books in the first place. I hope, on account of this little confessional, the publishers will spare me, give me more books to read. Considering the book... well, I hope so.
I've always felt, if you're going to learn about something, why not "from the horse's mouth? But the idea that His Holiness poured his heart and soul into this one little anonymous book, only to write another -- and then another -- quite a bit like it... Silly. This book is silly.
I only read it because I won it in a drawing here at Goodreads. I'm only reviewing it because I want to win more and the little bar on the right says my chances go up if I review past winnings, since that's the whole reason they give out books in the first place. I hope, on account of this little confessional, the publishers will spare me, give me more books to read. Considering the book... well, I hope so.
July 15, 2014
I did not want to read this book in order to learn about Buddhism. There are other, more appropriate books for that. I read it in order to see how the Dalai Lama feels personally about different things. Did this book deliver? Of course! I learned a lot about how I felt as well. I plan on buying this little book in the future instead of always checking it out at the library. It would be nice to have it in my room so I can easily open it up and gain some feel good perspective when I need it most. That's what this book did best anyway. The Dalai Lama's views match so much with how I want to feel and how I wish others would consider. This book explains, usually in only a page or two, the most logical and compassionate way to view and handle circumstances. All written and personally viewed by the Dalai Lama. It's sweet and an easy read. I recommend it to anyone wanting to smile and/or understand His Holiness a bit better and why it's important to have a positive and kind outlook on as much as possible.
June 13, 2009
No matter what your belief system, The Dalai Lama is a man to be respected. His life has served as an example of peace and the willingness to speak up for the betterment of all people. His life story is extremely interesting: born into a large peasant family, discovered to be the reincarnation of The previous Dalai Lamas, trained to be a monk, and then forced to leave his home so that he could bring his words to the world.
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace covers a wide variety of topics including some of The Dalai Lama’s childhood memories and concerns as he faced exile. Other sections detail the political upheaval in Tibet and the greater global issues that need to be addressed. For those new to Buddhism, The Dalai Lama introduces key concepts.
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace is a fascinating book. I feel like I have a greater insight into The Dalai Lama both as a world leader and as a man.
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace covers a wide variety of topics including some of The Dalai Lama’s childhood memories and concerns as he faced exile. Other sections detail the political upheaval in Tibet and the greater global issues that need to be addressed. For those new to Buddhism, The Dalai Lama introduces key concepts.
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace is a fascinating book. I feel like I have a greater insight into The Dalai Lama both as a world leader and as a man.
Read
February 10, 2013This book provides short bits of writings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama's writings. For the most part, the book is separated into two parts: a short memoir of the Dalai Lama and his spiritually-based opinions.
As expected, the autobiographical section is focused on the Dalai Lama's Tibetan Buddhist training and eventual exile to India. The opinion-based portion is what I found the most interesting. In this section, the Dalai Lama comments all manner of subjects ranging from morality, negativity, meditation, and human nature, among others. Though his view point is obviously Buddhist based, he makes a concerted effort to let the reader know that conversion is not the objective of his writing.
In the years since I have completed my first reading of this book I have returned to it several times. As with the other books I have read by His Holliness, this is a well-written, insightful book.
As expected, the autobiographical section is focused on the Dalai Lama's Tibetan Buddhist training and eventual exile to India. The opinion-based portion is what I found the most interesting. In this section, the Dalai Lama comments all manner of subjects ranging from morality, negativity, meditation, and human nature, among others. Though his view point is obviously Buddhist based, he makes a concerted effort to let the reader know that conversion is not the objective of his writing.
In the years since I have completed my first reading of this book I have returned to it several times. As with the other books I have read by His Holliness, this is a well-written, insightful book.
Read
May 27, 2013I picked up this book as an introduction to the Dalai Lama and his teachings, and it served this purpose well. The first half of the book is a brief autobiography, with just enough detail to satisfy. The second half of the book is an overview of Buddhist principles. In this section, I found myself wanting more than a sentence or two on some topics, and grateful that others were mercifully brief. The book is well designed, and the typography is beautiful. I recognized the challenges the designer and typesetter faced with this text, and offer kudos to them for finding the perfect balance between font, type size, line spacing, and justification and hyphenation settings on each small, square, beautiful page.
June 18, 2016
Wow,another giveaway - Thank you Hamptom Roads Publishing and Goodreads!
I haven't read much on Buddhism, so I appreciated the abbreviated history of the teachings of Buddha. I enjoyed reading about the life of the present Dalai Lama. I gained little snippets of inspiration, however much of what I read about the wisdom and teachings is just another form of what I've already learned through my own religion or other spiritual texts. Regardless, the Dalai Lama is an inspirational figure who helps promote peace and goodness in the world.
I haven't read much on Buddhism, so I appreciated the abbreviated history of the teachings of Buddha. I enjoyed reading about the life of the present Dalai Lama. I gained little snippets of inspiration, however much of what I read about the wisdom and teachings is just another form of what I've already learned through my own religion or other spiritual texts. Regardless, the Dalai Lama is an inspirational figure who helps promote peace and goodness in the world.
July 12, 2010
This book is a grouping of short "chapters" which give a quick snippet at the Dalai Lama XIV's viewpoint on various topics. I agreed with a lot of basic points although there are some specific details where I do not. I would recommend this book as an easy introduction to either the Dalai Lama or buddhism.
Want to read
March 30, 2009I won the book! Yeah, on Goodreads you can sign up to win copies of books that are being released. I don't know exactly where the link is now - but it's somewhere on the site! Look for it! Can't wait to read this!
September 9, 2010
I won this on firstreads! Very inspirational, definitely a keeper. Not just one of those little quote books you give to people when you don't really know what to get them. This book is meaningful. I have great respect for the Dalai Lama
June 7, 2012
The first half of the book seemed to be anecdotes by the H.H. Dalai Lama but just when I was about ready to put it down and find another book to read, he talked about Buddhism and about the path to enlightenment, which I found very interesting.
December 8, 2012
This little book is full of wisdom and points to ponder. I felt better after reading it, but also feel there is a lot I could change in my life. I also enjoyed reading about the Dalai Lama's life and struggles.
November 10, 2015
I found this to be an interesting look into the Dalai Lama's beliefs regarding life, religion, and human existence. It was an easy read and I found myself re-reading certain passages to try to fully understand their meaning
February 2, 2016
I liked this book - it had a nice history lesson about how the present Dalai Lama became The Dalai Lama. It briefly talked about the Chinese invasion in Tibet and it had many anecdotal and insightful accounts of life, death and everything in between.
February 8, 2016
I really enjoyed the first part of the book which was more like a Biography of the Dalai Lama which I found fascinating, mainly as I was pretty clueless as to the history. Definitely want to read more about that. The rest of the book was snippets of the sayings and teaching of the Dalai Lama.
November 17, 2016
A small book (in word count and physical dimension), but a nice little intro to the Dalai Lama and Buddhism. This really isn't a book for studying Buddhism, but was perfect to get a sense of who this guy is who pops up from time to time, and is indeed the leader of a significant faith group.
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June 29, 2014inspirational, calming, wonderful life lessons
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews