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The Path to Enlightenment
One of the most accessible introductions to Tibetan Buddhism ever published.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
27 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,496 books6,130 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 3, 2009
I always go through so many emotions whenever I read a book by H.H. The Dalai Lama. First I'm stunned by his clarity, erudition and ability to make very advanced sprititual practices seem attainable even to a bloke like me. We're talking about attaining Buddhahood here, yet he makes it sound that not only is it possible but, in fact, it's something we can all cheerfully strive for. Then I become simply overjoyed. Overjoyed because I can read, and think, and discern. What a blessing! And finally, I am inspired to put the teachings into everyday practice. That's another thing that His Holiness does so well. He never lets the essence of Buddhism become purely theoretical; he always brings even the deepest teachings to the level of daily life.
The book is a commentary on a work by the Third Dalai Lama, one of the present Dalai Lama's previous incarnations, called the Essence of Refined Gold. (Things like that are as commonplace in Tibetan culture as brushing our teeth. I just love it!)That, in turn, is a commentary of the works of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Lama Tsongkhapa. His great contribution to the spiritual heritage of Tibet was the writings of the Lam Rim or the Graduated Path to Enlightenment. After studying under many great masters from many great traditions, Tsongkhapa put together an outline of all the essential Buddhist ideas and practices that would most effectively bring a diligent practioner to the state of perfect Buddhahood.
I've been looking into the teachings of the Lam Rim for a few months now. In fact, the retreat I went on in India back in October was based upon it. Although this is only the second book I've read on the subject, it is definitely the best. Higly recommended.
Happy reading!
The book is a commentary on a work by the Third Dalai Lama, one of the present Dalai Lama's previous incarnations, called the Essence of Refined Gold. (Things like that are as commonplace in Tibetan culture as brushing our teeth. I just love it!)That, in turn, is a commentary of the works of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Lama Tsongkhapa. His great contribution to the spiritual heritage of Tibet was the writings of the Lam Rim or the Graduated Path to Enlightenment. After studying under many great masters from many great traditions, Tsongkhapa put together an outline of all the essential Buddhist ideas and practices that would most effectively bring a diligent practioner to the state of perfect Buddhahood.
I've been looking into the teachings of the Lam Rim for a few months now. In fact, the retreat I went on in India back in October was based upon it. Although this is only the second book I've read on the subject, it is definitely the best. Higly recommended.
Happy reading!
August 20, 2013
I listened to this in the car so I was not able to take notes for a good review. A few items that caught my attention:
The Dalai Lama is not a vegetarian. He advises being as vegetarian as health allows, and in his case he had health problems and needed to eat some meat.
To go with that, there are quite a few basic points of Buddhism that seem to be incorrectly understood in popular culture; or at least I incorrectly understood them as I learned listening to this book.
Lack of global responsibility blocks enlightenment. This is an issue which has been concerning me quite a bit lately- there is this way of saying "I believe in personal responsibility" which actually means "I believe in no responsibility for me." I was amazed to hear that Buddhism addresses this issue quite directly.
The Dalai Lama is not a vegetarian. He advises being as vegetarian as health allows, and in his case he had health problems and needed to eat some meat.
To go with that, there are quite a few basic points of Buddhism that seem to be incorrectly understood in popular culture; or at least I incorrectly understood them as I learned listening to this book.
Lack of global responsibility blocks enlightenment. This is an issue which has been concerning me quite a bit lately- there is this way of saying "I believe in personal responsibility" which actually means "I believe in no responsibility for me." I was amazed to hear that Buddhism addresses this issue quite directly.
June 4, 2012
I don't know why I found this hilarious. But the advice to think about death and the various manner of dying set me into giggles and the consideration of all of the horrors of coming back as an insect brought me to tears of laughter.
January 20, 2023
Malgré qu'il se voit comme la réincarnation du 13e Dalaï-lama, et qu'il brille par 70 ans d'études des textes discutés (dont celui de Tsong Kha pa, an 405, Étapes de la voie vers l'éveil), à un étudiant de la foule lui adressant une question familière aux intervenants sociaux (et aux amoureux qui désespèrent de voir leur relation sabotée par un partenaire qui préfère chérir ses blessures que d'en sortir et s'ouvrir) : comment peut-on aider ceux qui s'y refusent, il répond: je n'en ai aucune idée. Cette humilité saura en toucher et réconforter certains (dont moi). Mais n'en reste pas moins que, pour les chrétiens désenchantés, se défoulant dans l'étalage de leur subjectivité que nous sommes, ce cycle de conférences du Dalaï-lama, quoique dépourvu de tout prosélytisme, sera décoiffant/l'opposé d'un laid back read.
Au-delà des différentes écoles présentées et brièvement discutées, le bouddhisme est campé comme une pensée entièrement préoccupée par la causalité (tout ce qui est, dépend de la rencontre de causes et de conditions spécifiques), la vacuité (ce qui dépend de causes et de conditions n'a pas d'existence propre ou intrinsèque), l'origine de la souffrance dans l'ignorance (dans l'attachement à un soi permanent et suffisant, unifié), la méditation comme entraînement à la vision juste (la vipasyana), et la simultanéité sans contradiction de la causalité et de la vacuité (synthétisée dans le concept d'origine dépendante).
Au-delà des différentes écoles présentées et brièvement discutées, le bouddhisme est campé comme une pensée entièrement préoccupée par la causalité (tout ce qui est, dépend de la rencontre de causes et de conditions spécifiques), la vacuité (ce qui dépend de causes et de conditions n'a pas d'existence propre ou intrinsèque), l'origine de la souffrance dans l'ignorance (dans l'attachement à un soi permanent et suffisant, unifié), la méditation comme entraînement à la vision juste (la vipasyana), et la simultanéité sans contradiction de la causalité et de la vacuité (synthétisée dans le concept d'origine dépendante).
October 29, 2015
This is such a wonderful book. Throughout its pages, HH the 14th Dalai Lama comments and explains the words laid down by the 3rd Dalai Lama (the one who turned Mongolia into Buddhism in the 14th Century, none the less!) in his "Essence of Refined Gold", a commentary of Lama Tsongkhapa's (the founder of the Gelug school Tibetan Buddhism, none the less again!)"Song of the Stages of the Spiritual Path". Both texts, the 3rd and 14th's, weave each other perfectly, drawing an extremely easy map to understand and follow. His Holiness' personal advice on certain topics (such as developing a healthy guru-student relationship) bring the classic text into the contemporary world in a very adapted and suited way for the Western mind.
Moreover, Glenn Mullin's translation is a charm to read, and the reading experience flows from one chapter to another till you find yourself reading the colophon of the original text, both astonished and amazed by how captivating the last 180 pages were.
As a side note, I would especially recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in studying, reflecting and meditating according to Tibetan Buddhism, regardless the school they are practising in. For students without a minimum background on Tibetan Buddhism it may also prove to be a worthy introduction to the matter,but those may profit more from othre titles by His Holiness, like "The World of Tibetan Buddhism".
Other than that, I'm really happy I had the opportunity to read this book. It has answered quite a lot of questions I had, and it has felt like a real privilege to be able to read the current Dalai Lama talk about a text composed by a previous incarnation of himself.
I mean, how cool is that?
Moreover, Glenn Mullin's translation is a charm to read, and the reading experience flows from one chapter to another till you find yourself reading the colophon of the original text, both astonished and amazed by how captivating the last 180 pages were.
As a side note, I would especially recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in studying, reflecting and meditating according to Tibetan Buddhism, regardless the school they are practising in. For students without a minimum background on Tibetan Buddhism it may also prove to be a worthy introduction to the matter,but those may profit more from othre titles by His Holiness, like "The World of Tibetan Buddhism".
Other than that, I'm really happy I had the opportunity to read this book. It has answered quite a lot of questions I had, and it has felt like a real privilege to be able to read the current Dalai Lama talk about a text composed by a previous incarnation of himself.
I mean, how cool is that?
February 19, 2016
Reading this book one can't help but wonder if others have read it and gone on to become enlightened and leave this earth as a rainbow.
The book is a discourse between two great lamas (3rd & 14th). I've read many books on Buddhism, but there where times where the back and forth of ideas in this one caused me to glaze over completely as I did in university lectures sometimes.
However, don't get me wrong, this book is loaded with great wisdom and there are many parts you will want to remember for the rest of your life. Saying this, the book is better suited for the well read students of Tibetan Buddhism.
The book is a discourse between two great lamas (3rd & 14th). I've read many books on Buddhism, but there where times where the back and forth of ideas in this one caused me to glaze over completely as I did in university lectures sometimes.
However, don't get me wrong, this book is loaded with great wisdom and there are many parts you will want to remember for the rest of your life. Saying this, the book is better suited for the well read students of Tibetan Buddhism.
April 25, 2008
I'm not ready to call myself Buddhist (I was going to say "become" instead of "call myself", but I'm not sure exactly what that would mean or really what the difference is. "call myself" sounded more like I don't know what it meant to "become"), but a great introduction to the practice and beliefs.
March 2, 2010
Not sure this is the religion for me. There's some time spent on finding the right guru, etc. I did enjoy the Dali Lama’s thoughts on simplifying your life and your soul. He also introduced an interesting idea to me of not entering death empty-handed if you lead a spiritual life. -e
January 29, 2025
[Audiobook version]. The audio was not bad, but of course a bit flat (that's just due to the nature of the book).
I struggled to follow most of the time (in part due to my inattentive listening), but I think that's on me. The book does do what the title says, set out the steps and practices that form the Path to Enlightenment, I just didn't understand some of them.
Any more of a review would be too personal and not enough to do with the book itself. So I'll go ahead and close with this quote:
"The second negativity of speech is slander, or divisive speech. This just further widens the gap between people who are already divided, and separates people who are close. We have to learn to honour, trust and respect each other and to rejoice in others' happiness rather than jealously trying to cause conflicts and disharmony.
To be aware of a single shortcoming within ourselves is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. When we speak of others, only speak of their good qualities. If you find yourself slandering anybody, just fill your mouth with excrement and that will break you off the habit quickly enough."
(Funny that other translations online say 'imagine to have excrement in your mouth' but thankfully not the one in this audio, which I think is more effective 😅)
I struggled to follow most of the time (in part due to my inattentive listening), but I think that's on me. The book does do what the title says, set out the steps and practices that form the Path to Enlightenment, I just didn't understand some of them.
Any more of a review would be too personal and not enough to do with the book itself. So I'll go ahead and close with this quote:
"The second negativity of speech is slander, or divisive speech. This just further widens the gap between people who are already divided, and separates people who are close. We have to learn to honour, trust and respect each other and to rejoice in others' happiness rather than jealously trying to cause conflicts and disharmony.
To be aware of a single shortcoming within ourselves is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. When we speak of others, only speak of their good qualities. If you find yourself slandering anybody, just fill your mouth with excrement and that will break you off the habit quickly enough."
(Funny that other translations online say 'imagine to have excrement in your mouth' but thankfully not the one in this audio, which I think is more effective 😅)
February 20, 2020
A very quick read and a great introduction to Buddhism.
Unlike other beginner Buddhist books though, this one goes more in depth into each idea present.
I would definitely recommend this.
The reason I gave it a 3 star rating instead of 4 is because while I would recommend this book to anyone just getting to Buddhism or just Eastern philosophy/religion in general, I found the information pretty dry. Which could be amazing for some people but just didn't stand out to me.
Unlike other beginner Buddhist books though, this one goes more in depth into each idea present.
I would definitely recommend this.
The reason I gave it a 3 star rating instead of 4 is because while I would recommend this book to anyone just getting to Buddhism or just Eastern philosophy/religion in general, I found the information pretty dry. Which could be amazing for some people but just didn't stand out to me.
January 5, 2020
This is the second book I've read by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and I truly enjoyed both. I'm going to continue to seek out his works. If you have no foundation of understanding of Buddhism at all, this isn't the book for you, because there is some vocabulary that isn't explained. But if you do, it's a delightful little book.
December 6, 2020
Very interesting book about Tibetan Buddhism and enlightenment. I had not realized that Tibetan Buddhism was a religion before reading this. I had thought it was a philosophy. I definitely like the descriptions of having a guru , self control , and bodhi mind. Overall a very good religious text.
March 21, 2021
This is one of those books I'll need to read/listen to many times to fully absorb it all (especially as I'm still a bit of a newbie to Buddhist ideas). But despite the challenges, there's still a lot of food for thought here, both practical and esoteric.
February 1, 2018
2.5 stars. There were definately a few 5 star quotes from the Dalai Lama in this book but overall it didn't grab nor hold my attention the way I expected.
March 25, 2019
I listened to the audiobook and unfortunately the narrator's voice was very offputting. I'll have to read the book!
October 12, 2021
Informative, but I was punching above my weight with this one. I'm not familiar with a lot of the terms that were used. I need to do some more studying.
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April 8, 2022Some of it I understood, however, much of it I did not.
February 10, 2024
Lam rim text - highly recommend as a guide to the practice
March 28, 2025
Very “enlightening”. A good intro into Tibetan Buddhism
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December 11, 2024The Path to Enlightenment by The Dalai Lama
#spiritual
Borrowed from Libby. Only listened to a few minutes. The first chapter is only 3 mins long. So I thought maybe it was more like a preface. So I skipped to ch2.
I've decided that if I want to learn about Buddhism, I'll need to try something that is more for a layman. The few minutes I did listen to went way over my head.
Does anyone have a recommendation to listen to? I usually don't do well with reading non fiction.
#thepathtoenlightenment
#thedalailama
#spiritual
Borrowed from Libby. Only listened to a few minutes. The first chapter is only 3 mins long. So I thought maybe it was more like a preface. So I skipped to ch2.
I've decided that if I want to learn about Buddhism, I'll need to try something that is more for a layman. The few minutes I did listen to went way over my head.
Does anyone have a recommendation to listen to? I usually don't do well with reading non fiction.
#thepathtoenlightenment
#thedalailama
February 29, 2016
I started this book thinking it was another, but I enjoyed it. I'm not a Buddhist, so some of the vocabulary slipped by me (or gave me flashbacks to my high school religion class), but I'm glad I read this book because it taught me a lot about Tibetian Buddhist beliefs and ideas and confirmed that HH the Dalai Lama has excellent communication skills and makes big ideas understandable even to those who are mostly ignorant. I'm looking forward to reading some of his other works.
April 15, 2008
I love this guy. Helped me understand that my spirituality is very grounded in this world, and that I didn't need some 'god' to teach me the difference between right and wrong.
November 25, 2014
Accessible commentary on important Buddhist text. Lamrim training the mind and Essence of Refined Gold.
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November 20, 2014opened my eyes very humbling
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews