Customer Reviews

The Four Noble Truths

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Among all the books written by H.H The Dalai Lama, this book is the most concise and conveys the four noble truths in a simple and easy to follow manner. It is a very good introduction for any one who is in search of peace of mind.

The most concrete, coherent, and complete "overview" of Buddhist thought as it applies in contemporary life in both the Eastern and Western worldviews. The wonderfully warm personality of His Holiness radiates throughout.

Besides offering a thorough exposition of Mahayana belief, and indeed practice, with an anything but common traversal of the Four Noble Truths by a master, in these four videos one is invited to spend a few intimate hours in the presence of the Dalai Lama, always an ennobling experience. The camera work in this film is especially fine, making of the camera one's own eyes, as it were, and lifting the hours even lighter than they already seem. With respect to another of the reviews on this page, I found the necessary translation from the stage handled superbly, and clearly with a great deal of thought and natural reverence. In Thubten Jimpa, the Dalai Lama employs a beautifully adept translator, an interpreter not only brilliantly attuned to the words and thoughts of the Dalai Lama, but one so obviously loved by him, and who responds with a special kind of faithfulness, that a marvelous duet is often played out, only enhancing thereby this great teacher's magisterial presentation. I would add that one feels as well the 'Englishness' of the audience, so eager to quietly offer their accepting energy, so ready to listen, far more so than might be a gathering of Americans usually so conscious of themselves in the moment. The humor that ripples often between the Dalai Lama and his listeners throughout the evening is so generous and unaffected, one is returned again and again to the meaning behind the words, the experience behind the event. This is a film of the highest achievment, fortunately within the reach of us all. An unforgettable few hours!

In this small book His Holiness the Dalai Lama presents a completely comprehensive, easy to understand explanation and discussion on The Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of the Buddhist teaching. Yet the book transcends religious beliefs and is actually a book on living happily and peacefully no matter what one's beliefs are. This book, therefore, is for anyone and everyone who is interested in living a more peaceful life. His Holiness explains the most complex issues of human existence in a form that is so simple anyone can understand. He readily gives examples and compassionately faces all alternative arguments to the issues. Everything makes sense. He includes a complete glossary and recommendations for further reading. The last chapter focuses on compassion, complementing the teaching on The Four Noble Truths, and beautifully illustrates how the teachings can be applied to daily life. One completes the reading with no unanswered questions and a profound feeling of peace. It is an inspiring, uplifting, informative little book that will be read over and over again.

PS: Great for gift giving too.

These videos are a documentary of teachings on The Four Noble Truths presented by H.H. the Dalai Lama at Barbicon Hall in London, with a translator on hand to help act as a go-between in the exchange. The Dalai Lama, as just about all Buddhist masters would agree, feels that The Four Noble Truths are the core of all of Buddhism. They are:

1. We suffer, not only active anguish but wide-ranging dissatisfaction and unease.

2. The origin of this suffer is our clinging, desire and attachments.

3. There is an End to suffering.

4. That pathway out of suffering is the Eightfold Path.

Robert Thurman, America's foremost scholar on Tibetan Buddhism at Columbia University, introduces the Four Noble Truths here. The Dalai Lama strikes a chord within all of us on this film with his succinct marking out of the Buddhist path of freedom, self-control, and compassion. I offer you a short review because of course the Dalai Lama will explain it all for you! Enjoy.

Besides offering a thorough exposition of Mahayana belief, and indeed practice, with an anything but common traversal of the Four Noble Truths by a master, in these four videos one is invited to spend a few intimate hours in the presence of the Dalai Lama, always an ennobling experience. The camera work in this film is especially fine, making of the camera one's own eyes, as it were, and lifting the hours even lighter than they already seem. With respect to another of the reviews on this page, I found the necessary translation from the stage handled superbly, and clearly with a great deal of thought and natural reverence. In Thubten Jimpa, the Dalai Lama employs a beautifully adept translator, an interpreter not only brilliantly attuned to the words and thoughts of the Dalai Lama, but one so obviously loved by him, and who responds with a special kind of faithfulness, that a marvelous duet is often played out, only enhancing thereby this great teacher's magisterial presentation. I would add that one feels as well the 'Englishness' of the audience, so eager to quietly offer their accepting energy, so ready to listen, far more so than might be a gathering of Americans usually so conscious of themselves in the moment. The humor that ripples often between the Dalai Lama and his listeners throughout the evening is so generous and unaffected, one is returned again and again to the meaning behind the words, the experience behind the event. This is a film of the highest achievment, fortunately within the reach of us all. An unforgettable few hours!

A great lecture! Very informative. Robert Thurman's introductions are well done. I especially liked it when the dalai lama spoke in english; which he did several times throughout the discs. I used to watch this every night to help me go to sleep and i remember having dreams of enlightenment. Even though the dalai lama speaks in his native tongue most of the time, certain messages are spoken through his countenance that i have never seen another person express. its truly amazing just to observe him. very soothing and comforting. i loved it. im sure you will too!

In 1997 the Dalai Lama was invited by a consortium of Buddhist organizations to give a talk in London on the four noble truths. This book contains the edited transcripts of that conference. In the introduction he discourages proselitism, urging people to remain in their religion: all religions contribute to create a "good heart" in people, and are therefore useful. But if you need more, than study the Dharma. He makes it clear that the idea of a Creator God is nonsense to Buddhists.
Also he talked about the Two Truths Theory (conventional and ultimate):
Samvharah satya: relative truth; and Paramatha satya: ultimate truth
He expounds the Four Noble Truths from the perspective of Madhyamaka School (first expounded by Nagarjuna, I, II cent. A.D.), emphasizing Dependent Origination and Emptiness.
Laughter broke out when Dalai Lama commented on the fact that Westerns often ask him the quickest, most effective and cheapest way to enlightenment. He said that it was a sign of failure: NO PAIN NO GAIN!!! We need serious, methodical practice and sustained effort in order to achieve results. Laughter also erupted when someone in the audience asked him to explain the difference between self-realization and God-realization. After a back and forth between him and his translator for a few seconds, he blurted out: "I don't know..." provoking his audience's hilarity.
Main figures discussed:
Nagarjuna (I a.d., master)
Aryaveda (his disciple)
Buddhapalita (IV a.d.., founder of Madhyamaka-Prasangika)
Chandrakirti (IV a.d., greatest member of that school)
Bhavaviveka (key figure in development of Madhyamaka-Svatantrika, and critic of Buddhapalita)
Asanga and Vasubandhu (IV a.d., half brothers, proponents of Chittamatra school)
Dharmakirti (VII a.d. Master)
Shantiveda (VII a.d., Indian poet)

First truth: dhukka
All beings are under the control of delusion and afflictive emotions (kilesas). Ignorance and confusion are at the root of our existences. Paradoxically, the harder we try to be happy, and the more we move around, here and there, the more we suffer and grow disappointed.
In order to make more sense of our lives we need to trace our steps back to consciousness which is not to be identified with the brain.

Second truth: Origin of suffering
Role of karma.

Third truth: Nirodha (Cessation of suffering)
Nature of emptiness. Four views of no-self: traditional, Chittamatra (radical mentalism: all is thought), Madhyamka-Svatantrika (there is a certain intrinsic reality to things and events, even though not in themselves but in our perception), Madhyamaka-Prasangika (goes even further, in that it negates the intrinsic existence and identity of things and events).
Middle Way avoids extremes of both nihilism and absolutism. Dalai Lama combines chapters 23, 18 and 24 of Mulamadhamakakarika (Emptiness: A Study in Religious Meaning): Emptiness is NOT nothingness, or non-existence. Emptiness means void, lacking, empty of independent existence). Madhyamaka is divided in Prasangika (which emphasizes reductio ad absurdum, showing the internal inconsistencies of opponent's views) and Svatantrika (which uses syllogisms to establish its positions).

Fouth truth: Liberation or moksha
Shravaka yana: emphasizes shamatha (calming the mind, in order to rest free of disturbances of thought) and vipassana (clear insight meditation)
Maha yana: emphasizes compassion and the bodhisattva path
Vajra yana: the Tantric Path.

In this series of audio tapes His Holiness brings home the principles of emptiness and our journey through samsara in a way that is clear and precise. Even listening to the Dalai Lama's teachings in Tibetan (translated into English by his interpreter) sparks a great peace in one's heart through the joy and wisdom with which he shares these great truths. I have listened to the entire series a number of times and find myself excited about the day at hand each time I listen to one tape or part of one. The compassion with which The Teacher shares the idea of what causes suffering and how to be liberated from the cycle of suffering causes one to understand how the life dedicated to bodhichitta can result in the attainment of buddhahood and the desire to share with dharma with others...this is a series that is worth eternally more than monatery considerations.....

After waiting patiently for the arrival of these DVDs I want to say that I feel very priviliged to have at my fingertips an opportunity to see and hear the wonderfully compassionate Holiness right in my own home. Technology is great. It is a rare opportunity indeed and I'm sure I will cherish these DVDs for a long time. They will be very useful also for study groups. I want to thank all the people who made it possible.