Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life [Paperback]

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

Beginning with an introduction to the life of Buddha, Geshe Kelsang then explains the central principles behind the Buddhist way of life and what it means to be a Buddhist. He introduces the reader to subjects such as karma, reincarnation, and cyclic existence, all the while showing how we can apply these teachings to our everyday life. Meditation is explained simply, while more complex subjects such as the path to liberation and emptiness are also presented in an accessible way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sington's precise British diction and soothing voice are the perfect backdrop for discovering the Buddhist religion as taught by Gyatso. Author of 19 other books on the subject, Gyatso offers the basic teachings of Buddha in their simplest form for beginners. Sections include "Basic Buddhism," "The Path to Liberation," "The Path to Enlightenment", and an appendix with two breathing meditations. Chapter headings listed on the jacket allow listeners to easily locate subjects of interest on the CDs, such as "What Is Karma?" "The Perfection of Wisdom" and "The Three Higher Trainings." Listeners hear only the voice of Sington throughout the production; there is no background music or sound of any kind, even during long silences in the meditation section. While this may seem odd to a culture used to constant sound, it's not so strange considering the simple life of Buddha and the enlightenment sought by his followers. This is a calming, informative look at Buddhism. Based on the Tharpa paperback. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

'A brilliantly clear and concise introduction to this vast subject, helpful to readers of all levels including those who have no previous knowledge. Very highly recommended.' - Yoga & Health Magazine 'This book succeeds admirably in presenting its subject with clarity and insight.....a highly commendable and deeply felt work that I can recommend without hesitation.' - Chalice 'A perfect little journal of Buddhist education with material to challenge any student of Buddhist thought.' - Shambala Sun

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Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Tharpa Publications; Revised edition (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0948006277
• ISBN-13: 978-0948006272
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Tibet at the age of eight. He is a fully accomplished meditation master, prolific author, and international teacher who has lived in the West since 1977 and has founded over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist meditation centers and branches around the world. His 20 acclaimed books reveal the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, including Buddha's Sutra and Tantra teachings.

For more information on his books, audio, artwork, meditation supplies, and cards visit www.tharpa.com/us

For more information on his meditation centers across the US and around the world visit www.kadampa.org

For books in Spanish see www.amazon.com/author/gueshe_kelsang_gyatso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars start here with this author's works, February 26, 2004

By 

S. Hood "hood93" (MS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Buddhism (Paperback)

I have four books by this author. He writes in a soothing manner and explains Tibetan Buddhism practices thoroughly. However, the other books I have did not make sense until I read this one. This one puts the basics down pat. Once I absorbed this easy read, the other texts begin to make more sense. This one is written in a flowing easy style, explaining things. It makes reference to his other books for more specifics about practice, which is why I gave it 4 stars. You will read about an overview of practice in this book and get interested in the specifics to read further see such and such book for more details. This is definitely the place for a beginner in the Tibetan approach to begin.

50 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE VERY BEST INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM!!!, August 17, 2002

By 

Bill Butler "Bill Butler" (Tarzana, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Buddhism (Talking Dharma Books) (Audio Cassette)

Here you can begin. Everything that you need to begin is here.
The author's ability to help one understand the dharma is a little astonishing. And really very wonderful. He shows
Buddhism in a very objective light while making it personal at the same time. Other authors can't seem to do this. They can either do one or the other. The chapter on karma alone will
obliterate you. I had never seen this before! And I want you to see it to. Everything that you are experiencing at this moment is the effect of some action or thought which was the cause. What you see in your room. What you feel in your body.
What you look like. Your entire range of just being alive is a manifestation of your past actions. It's like science fiction.
He explains this so simply and directly. Everything you see, touch, smell, hear, feel is an outcome of what you have done in the past. The chapters in this book are like little gemstones
that sparkle. Do I like this book? Yes. Do I think that you should buy this book? Definitely.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars understand Buddhist teachings, November 28, 2001

By 

Jodie Stein (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life (Paperback)

If you are interested in learning more about Buddhist teachings and how you can put them into practice on a daily basis you should try this book. I picked it up after attending my first Buddhist meditation class - I liked the author's style of making these often complex teachings clear and accessible even for novices.