The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness [Paperback]

Sidney Piburn (Compiler), The Dalai Lama (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1993

An antholigy of writings by and about the Dalai Lama

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion (1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937938912
• ISBN-13: 978-0937938911
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,163,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dalai Lama: Policy of Kindness (Paperback)

This book is good and well rounded. It gives you a full perspective of the Dalai Lama, his works, responsibilities and teachings.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great introduction book to the dalai lama's thinking, August 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dalai Lama: Policy of Kindness (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful introduction to H.H. the Dalai Lama's philosphy and beliefs. Though it's a collection of articles from other sources this book should please everybody.

3 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars New Age When New Age Wasn't Cool?, September 3, 2000

By 

Steve Jackson "stevejackson100atyahoocom" (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dalai Lama: Policy of Kindness (Paperback)

This book contains a number of interesting articles about the Dalai Lama as well as many illuminating speeches and addresses by him. One can't but be impressed by his concern for the suffering of the Tibetan people. At the same time - as a theist - I find much of what he teaches quite troubling. For example: "Since all the substances for enlightenment exist within ourselves, we should not look for Buddhahood somewhere else." [p. 79.] "Basically all the great teachers, such as Guatama Buddha, Jesus Christ, or Mohammed, founded their new teachings with a motivation for helping their fellow humans." [p. 57.] "Buddhists do not accept a creator; Christians base their philosophy on that theory." [p. 54.]

At least as reflected in this collection, the Dalai Lama's teaching is directly contrary to historic monotheism: there is no personal god, no created universe, no ultimate accountability, no sin. Man's solution is to look within. Not surprisingly, this "psychological" approach is in accord with our therapeutic culture. Indeed, much of today's "new age" movement seems to be taking its cues from Buddhism. In light of the "atheistic" (for lack of a better term) nature of the Dalai Lama's teachings, it is sad that may supposedly orthodox monotheists like John Paul II are so quick to praise him.