Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective [Paperback]

The Dalai Lama (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Buddhist traditions unanimously state that compassion and love are the foundation of all paths of practice. To cultivate the potential for compassion and love inherent within us, it is crucial to counteract their opposing forces of anger and hatred. The Dalai Lama shows how patience and tolerance overcome the obstacles of anger and hatred. His Holiness presents the practice of the Six Perfections, the central role of bodhichitta, the twelve links of dependent origination, and offers a clear road map for the practitioner to achieve the goal of liberation. The techniques and methods are relevant for everyone—the Dalai Lama shows the power that patience and tolerance have to heal anger and to generate peace in the world.  

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama discusses the subject of patience, drawing on a chapter from an important Buddhist classic, Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." He helps readers examine how anger arises to destroy much that is positive and good, proposing that gentleness is fundamental to human nature. Through active self-discipline, and not meekness as is commonly misunderstood, we can transform anger through compassion and to be reconciled with ourselves and others. Recommended for public libraries.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The writings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have done more to familiarize the general public with Shantideva than any other teachings. I am indebted to his commentaries and especially to his book Healing Anger"—Pema Chodron, author of How to Meditate and Buddhism for Beginners    

(No Time to L )

"The Dalai Lama teaches with clear and forceful language."—Publishers Weekly  

"The techniques and methods presented here are relevant not only for Buddhist practitioners but for all who seek to improve themselves. Through these teachings and by his own example, the Dalai Lama shows the power that patience and tolerance have to heal anger and to generate peace in the world."—The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies

"The theme of healing anger has great relevance to our lives. It is what we all seek."—Values & Visions Magazine  

"These teachings help us practice the ideals of the Bodhisattva."—NAPRA ReView  

"Healing Anger shows that Shantideva's teaching many centuries ago can still speak to this generation and be a source of strength to change our society."—Asian Thought & Society  

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications; 1st. ed edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559390735
• ISBN-13: 978-1559390736
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 to a peasant family in northeastern Tibet and was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The world's foremost Buddhist leader, he travels extensively, speaking eloquently in favor of ecumenical understanding, kindness and compassion, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, April 25, 2002

By 

The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. G. G. Block - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective (Paperback)

By exegeting the 8th century C.E. "Bodhisattvacharyavatara," His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama demonstrates the powers of acceptance and tolerance to overcome such negative emotions as anger, resentment and jealousy. This is not another one of those awful "self-help" books. Rather, His Holiness presents a cogent discussion about the self-destructive qualities of anger, etc..., and appeals to our intellect to refrain from those emotions.

His Holiness' line of reasoning seems self-evident and simplistic until one observes normal, unpleasant, self-defeating human behavior in a typical traffic jam or family argument.

If you sometimes get unexpectedly caught in your anger, or other negative emotions, read this book. It might just be the tonic that will help to heal your spirit.

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Patience, August 23, 2002

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective (Paperback)

I have read several of the Dalai Lama' books and hve grown more fond of him with each book. In this book, His Holiness attempts to address the issue of anger. His main argument is based in the fact that anger can be remedied through patience. I find this to be true as anger is often rooted in impatience. The book sites Buddhist scripture to explain the reasoning behind the argument. In addition, His Holiness presents meditation sessions in the book. Even for those who are inexperienced in the meditation practices, the suggestions make the practice easy and practical. The meditation practices did help me address some of the anger in my life. As the Dalai Lama suggests, anger will not disappear. It takes time to work through anger. Anger is a powerful and destructive emotion. It is worth learning to control anger.

The only problem I have found in this book is that It tends to be a little hard to follow if you are unfamiliar with Buddhist scripture. The dialogue can also seem very long and drawn out at times. Overall, this book can be beneficial to those who seek its wisdom.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Logical and needed in today's world, July 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective (Paperback)

This book is essential reading for those like myself who have difficulty restraining their anger. Reading this book has allowed me to understand the causes that lead to anger and ultimately, to suffering. At it's deepest level, Healing Anger is about how to get oneself on the road to the cessation from suffering by changing one's outlook on the world and on oneself.