Product Description
This is a must have book for admirers of the Dalai Lama and is an ideal gift. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not as informative as I had hoped.
A little to complicated to understand.Hoped for more information on the religion, but it only touched on generalities.Referred to lots of other works for the information I had hoped to find.

Buddhism made plain
This book is 176 pgs., short and concise, including endnotes and a glossary of terms for quick reference of the many Buddhist words.For instance, a simple word I had heard before from other studies is this term, "Arhat".I forgot what it meant and I needed to look it up.It is defined in the glossary thus:

"Arhat (Tib. dgra bcom pa) - to become an Arhat is the final goal of the Shravakayana.It is a form of nirvana, beyond rebirth, but falls short of buddhahood.The Tibetan word literally means 'one who has subdued the enemies', i.e., negative emotions."

I mention this fact for two reasons.The first reason is to show how the glossary is very useful (you can look up "Shravakayana" and many other words to find their meaning if it isn't expressed in the text of the book, too).The second reason is to let you know that if you have negative emotions, you, too, can subdue them and become an Arhat.It may appear to your mind to be something unimagined or even almost looked at as not even necessary.You might reason that you are the way you are and that that is all there is to it.(I suspect most reading this actually sense that this latter attitude is the "path of suffering" and you are searching out this book to move away from this path into one that leads to enlightenment).

In this book, you will be told that the latter way of viewing yourself is the path of suffering.This book brings this teaching forth very nicely, that is, the cessation of suffering is possible in this life.Becoming an Arhat is not that difficult and can be accomplished in this life.The rewards are worth the effort!

The book is simple to understand (using the glossary helps a great deal as there are a lot of Tibetan words used) but doesn't suffer from oversimplification.The Dalai Lama wrote a series of lectures in 1996 and this book simply states the facts of Buddhism, its tenants and principles without giving the reader more details than is needed to understand Buddhism and its practices.

If you are achieving self-realization through another path, you may read this book and discover many similarities to your path and the Buddhist path.This can be quite startling actually, yet reassuring.We intuitively know that there may be many ways to the top of a mountain, yet there is only one mountain top.

This work was translated by Geshi Thupten Kinpa, edited by Dominique Side and photographs were provided by Ian Cumming.The photos add to the richness of the book and were appreciated by me.The main text consists of 5 chapters, four of which cover the 4 Noble Truths briefly.They give the reader a clear picture of them and their purpose in Buddhist teachings--to provide its very foundation.

Let me leave you with words to literally live by:

"So, now you have read these teachings.... Whatever your faith, if you accept that faith then it must become part of your life.It is not sufficient to attend church on Sunday and join hands together in prayer for a few moments, if the rest of your behavior remains the same...."

"Once the teaching is part of your life, whenever you have a real problem it gives you inner strength."

"...because no-one else can provide this for us -- no deities, no gurus, and no friends.This is why the Buddha says you must be your own master."

Almost a Successful Introduction
The Dalai Lama's books are usually very simply and lightly written, so that the average reader has no difficulty accessing them.This book is some exception to that, as the Dalai Lama wanders into topics that the introductory student of Buddhism might find a bit arcane.His intent is to explain the basic Buddhist Path of the Four Noble Truths, and he almost accomplished that here.I would hesitate to recommend this book to an introductory student on Buddhism, with the caveat of not getting discouraged on the Dalai Lama period.He has produced many wonderful ideas and is justifiably celebrated as a religious leader, but I could not conclude that this is his strongest or most accessible work.The book is wonderfully illustrated with pictures of Buddhists and their monasteries from Tibet to India, and one wishes there had been much more attention to the vibrancy of Tibetan and Buddhist culture, than merely incidentally commentary along the way.Alas, it succeeds more as a nicely illustrated coffee-table book than a substantive introduction to Buddhism.

Beautiful, but not your "First Buddhism Book".
I agree with a reviewer Buster Paris.
In this book, HH teaches The Four Noble Truth which are the very foundation of the Buddhist teaching. However, I do not recomend this book to a first time Buddhist book reader who's naturally not familier with Buddhist's technical terms.

If you are willing to start learning Buddhism and wondering where to start, Lama Surya Das's "Awakening the Buddha Within" I think is the best.
It deals with the Four Noble Truth & the Eightfold Path in simple English and is really well structured. It's fantastic.

And if you would like to read "a book by the Dalai Lama" to see what Buddhism can offer, or just to be inspired, I recomend "Healing Anger - The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective" which is a transcript of oral teachings delivered by HH in Arisona for the Buddhists & non-Buddhists.

Well, you can come back to "A Simple Path" when you are ready!
This is truly beautiful a book. You will be happy to own one.

Simple Path / Graduate Level Book
(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! ... Read more

Product Description
In the Wisdom of Tibet series-volumes specially choosen by His Holiness as revealing as revealing a true oral tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

From Hinayana to Highest Yoga Trantra
This entire series was translated by Jeffrey Hopkins many years ago with the help of his assistants.The content is very concise which requires the reader to have an understanding of terminology and an understanding of the Buddhist path according to Tibet.As the first reviewer mentioned, this book requires a lot of concentration, as it is extremely rich in wisdom; but it is clear Mr. Hopkins may have needed more help translating this text (the translation may be more difficult than it needs to be and IS NOT transcendental in nature).The Dalai Lama's commentary is just as difficult as Tsongkapa's text, so I cannot say Tsongkapa is to blame for writing a concise text!

This translation reveals "The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra" by the great Tsongkapa, and includes a commentary by the current Dalai Lama.Dharma is discussed beginning with the Hinayana and ending with Highest Yoga Tantra.Comparisons are made between the different vehicles of Mahayana, the Mantra path and the Perfection path; and the many different schools of the Perfection path are discussed.The role of compassion is discussed and its role during realizations of the bodhisattva.If you are not particularly interested in the discussion of Deity Yoga and its superiority over the Perfection vehicle, you may not appreciate thisbook.

There are too many comparisons throughout the text to count.The text as well as its commentary are very profound and concise.If you are not a student of Tantra, you will be missing what the book really has to offer.

Tantra is not for beginners
Serious, long-term practitioners of Vajrayana will welcome a book like this one that gets beyond the surface. If you think the Dalai Lama's writing is intense, you should attend his teachings in person some time. Trying to take notes on the Sanskrit and Tibetan terminology from verbal teachings makes you really appreciate having it summarized in published form. The Buddha's Second and Third Turnings of the Wheel of (Dharma) Teachings are more advanced than the First (Deer Park). One simply does not enter the Tantrayana without completing the First Two Turnings in preparation. This book addresses the advanced levels.

Be Ready to Concentrate
There are two reasons this didn't get four stars. First, with a primary text and two commentators there's a lot of repetition. Second, it's a little dry. The Dalai Lama has since become a much better writer. This bookis not for beginners or people looking for the sensational. It is a seriousdiscussion of tantra that demands concentration. Hopkin's supplementscontain a nice summary of the doctrine of emptiness, as well as some veryhandy diagrams of the relationships among Buddhist schools on the issue andeven a diagramatic outline of the primary source text. All of this isbeneficial for a reader who already has some familiarity with the topic. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover your personal path to bliss

"This book will give anyone interested in the spectrum of core meditative practices stemming from the Buddhist tradition but in essence universal the deepest of perspectives on what is possible for us as human beings as well as excellent guidance in the essential, time-tested attitudes and practices for actualizing our innate capacity for wisdom, compassion, and well-being, right here and right now."
--Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Coming to Our Senses and Full Catastrophe Living

"In Genuine Happiness, Alan Wallace displays his rare talent in boiling down the complex to the clear and in guiding readers through a practical path to contentment. A gift for all moods and seasons."
--Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

"This lucid and rich book offers brillant, wise, and accessible teachings on the essentials of four core meditation techniques that lead one to genuine joy and happiness. Alan Wallace's years of practice and teaching shine through every page, as with ease and great humanity, he brings to the reader the possibility of liberation."
--Joan Halifax Roshi, abbot of Upaya Zen Center

"Genuine Happiness is a treasure chest of wisdom: clear, inspiring teaching jewels. It is an excellent support for any student of meditation."
--Sharon Salzberg, author of Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience

In today's overstimulated world, many are realizing that happiness gained through material wealth and frivolous conquests is short-lived. To achieve long-term happiness, you must access your own bountiful resources--housed in your heart and mind. In Genuine Happiness, longtime Buddhist practitioner Alan Wallace shows you the path to bliss.

Drawing on more than three decades of study under His Holiness the Dalai Lama and sixty other teachers, as well as 2,500 years of Buddhist tradition, Alan Wallace guides you step by step through five simple yet powerful meditations to help you focus your mind and open your heart to true happiness. Featuring a Foreword by the Dalai Lama, this book will help you discover that it is possible to experience genuine happiness every day.

As you incorporate the meditations from Genuine Happiness into your life, you will discover that the joy you've sought has always been only a few meditative minutes away. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An Insightful & Concise Guide To Life
There are books that you read, you enjoy, & you gradually forget; there are books that you read, you think, & you apply the underlying wisdom to your life. Allan Wallace's 'Genuine Happiness' is certainly the second type; it's actually one of the rare & precious books that I would treasure for the rest of my life.
Wallace's writing is highly concise; he presents the wisdom of Buddhist meditation practice in a coherent, humane & pragmatic manner that anyone with any cultural or spirtual background can appreciate, value & apply.

GOLD MINE!!!!!
I'm a Christian who is new to studying Buddhism. I find that the teachings and meditations enhance
my religion, as well as my life. I have to admit that this book was on my shelf for a while before
I began reading it.I was a bit scared that it might be too difficult to follow for a beginner.
Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I'm a mother of a toddler and I only have 2 hours a day free to do what I want, and I chose to use up all my free time to read this book. It was really easy to read but not at all dumbed down. The meditations were also very clear and easy to follow. After reading this book I truly believe that loving everyone even your enemies is attainable in this life time. For a book to give me such inspiration and hope is absolutely amazing. This book is excellent not just for enhancing my life but for really wanting to strive for enlightenment and perfection. It's only been a week since I've read this book and just the teachings alone have already improved my life, and have caused a shift in my perspective. Ithink this book would be excellent for anyone in any walk of life, and any level of Buddhist knowledge. I can't believe I had a gold mine sitting in my book shelf this whole time waiting to be read. This is one of those books that you will want to share with everyone after reading it.I am in no way interested in new age books, and this does not even come close. This is the real thing, completely authentic. Alan has so much knowledge and experience on this subject, and the fact that he's a Westerner gives him an even better perspective on how to relay all his information to the modern society.

more practice guide than academic discussion
I own several of Alan Wallace's books.I like them all.He presents information from a Western perspective, which I find easier to understand.Here there are specific meditation techniques presented in detail.You are encouraged to practice for a while at each stage using the suggested exercises before continuing on in the book.This book serves as a nice checklist for a complete Buddhist meditation practice, including meditative quiescence (Shamatha), (Buddhist) wisdom meditation, dream yoga and more.
Alan Wallace's other book, "The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind" would be more appropriate if your interest is specifically in meditative quiescence (mind training).

Not a Manual for Contentment, but a Path to Self-esteem
I read the first three chapters of "Genuine Happiness" as the textbook for a class in Tibetan meditation at a Buddhist monastery in Atlanta: a valuable supplement to techniques to quiet the `monkey mind' of frenzied western consumers.

But the book, like Tibetan Buddhist meditation itself, is not about a technique for relaxation, nor merely an escape from frantic behavior.It is a path to an awareness of the necessity for ethical behavior: a prerequisite for true happiness.And, ethical conduct is based not only on clarity of thought but also an awareness of what service to other sentient beings entails.

As an entry to guided mediation, the book is helpful.(Although, mastering new concepts without the aid of an experienced teacher is worse than learning new software without at least a User's Guide.)Life is rarely "intuitive"...No meditation book can function as a self-contained manual.

The profound value of this book is its gentle synthesis of the rational views of western science with eastern visions of esoteric reality that surpass a biological understanding of consciousness.The last few chapters define levels of enlightenment that exceed what most of us can attain - levels of mastery that transcend western explanations of conscious control of our physical reality.These forms of enlightenment redefine the "Happiness" of the book's title.

If you are interested in a genuine path to happiness through service to others (with more self-awareness than one gets from the Boy Scout's oath), this book will be a wonderful companion for your journey.

Accessible Meditations, Enhances Meditation Practice
One of my meditation leaders recommends this book and uses similar meditations in small groups.The book goes into more detail than the small group has time to do.But, I found the meditations easy to read and comprehend.This book has extended my meditation practice with both breadth and depth. ... Read more