Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism [Paperback]

Rebecca Novick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crossing Press Pocket Guides | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

In Tibetan, the word for Buddhist means “insider”—someone who looks not to the world but to themselves for peace and happiness. The basic premise of Buddhism is that all suffering, however real it may seem, is the product of our own minds.Rebecca Novick’s concise history of Buddhism and her explanations of the Four Noble Truths, Wheel of Life, Karma, the path of the Bodhisattva, and the four schools help us understand Tibetan Buddhism as a religion or philosophy, and more important, as a way of experiencing the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895949539
• ISBN-13: 978-0895949530
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #751,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Simple and the Complex, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

The author has admirably succeeded in her goal of setting forth the basics of an intricate and powerful worldview. I don't quite know how she managed it, but the text cogently introduces concepts typically presented to beginners--such as the Four Noble Truths, the subject of Shakyamuni Buddha's very first teaching--as well as more complex ideas and ritual practices, for example visualizations and tantra. As a result, the book really is a valuable resource for those who are intrigued with the basics of Tibetan Buddhism, those who are studying it more intensively, or those who seek to introduce others to the teachings. I expect to refer to the text frequently, as one of the characteristics of dharma study/practice is that it walks a spiral path, reintroducing basic concepts at more intricate levels as you proceed. In addition, the Buddha was a prodigious list-maker--it is useful indeed to have a concise reference tool such as this. May all beings benefit from its availability.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best, easy to read introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, July 8, 2008

By 

Alan L. Muller (Seattle and Nepal) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

I am a Buddhist monk (American) and I teach Buddhism. This is by far the best and easiest to understand book on a very complex subject. I use it in my classes and we use it at our Monastery in Seattle, Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. You can't miss with this for a good basic understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of Tibetan Buddhism, February 20, 2003

By 

Claus Hetting (Gentofte, Copenhagen Denmark) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Some of the topics are incredibly difficult to explain, although she makes a valiant attempt. I also believe that the book mostly represents only the largest lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (represented by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama as the spiritual leader), but there are also other ways of practicing, i.e. according to other lineages. Even so I think the book is basicly solid.