Customer Reviews

The Pocket Dalai Lama (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

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"The Pocket Dalai Lama" is compiled and edited by Mary Craig. This is an anthology of short excerpts from the teachings of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists. A note on the copyright page of this Shambhala Pocket Edition notes that this book is an abridged edition of "The Dalai Lama: In My Own Words," first published in the UK.

The excerpts are grouped together in several sections which are titled as follows: "Looking for Happiness in a Secular Society"; "The Real Troublemakers"; "Religion, Religions, and No Religion At All"; "Wanted: A Spiritual Revolution"; "Ethics and the Good Society"; "Democracy and Human Rights"; "Oneness: Taking Responsibility for the World"; "Tibet and Non-Violence"; "Forgiving the Enemy"; "Suffering, Impermanence, and Death"; "World Peace"; and finally, "Invitation to Action." Also included are an introduction by Craig, a postscript about the Dalai Lama's life and exile, and a bibliography.

Many of the passages are followed by a note showing the source of that particular passage. These sources are quite varied: a 1959 letter to U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold; a 1985 address at Westminster Abbey; a 1992 address to a summit in Rio de Janeiro; a 1993 article from the "Times of India"; a 2000 talk at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC; and much more. These sources give an indication of the Dalai Lama's global travels and diverse interests.

In her introduction editor Craig describes the Dalai Lama as "the most human human being" she has ever met. The Dalai Lama offers a truly global vision that embraces all of the world's people. These passages indicate that he's not trying either to convert people to his faith or to create some new religion; rather, he invites practitioners of any religion (or of no religion) to focus on common values and engage in a meaningful dialogue. Although he speaks with pride and love of his own Tibetan people and culture, he also celebrates the essential "oneness of humanity." He champions the dignity and worth of each human life, and looks to the potential for joy, love, and compassion in our interrelationships. I recommend this inspiring and challenging book to all seekers of wisdom.

Pleased with my purchase. It is a handy size to just pull out of purse while I am waiting. I do have something to say about the irresponsible packaging that it arrived in. The books are about 3"X3" and the box it was shipped in was about 8"X10"X4" and stuffed with paper. This cost around $7! What is the matter with putting it in a small padded envelope and the charges would be about a third of that. Very disappointed in that respect.

I have 5 of these little books, all on Buddhism, and I love them all! I take one with me wherever I go, and if I get stuck waiting for someone or something, I pull it out of my pocket and pass the time by reading. This book is a great introduction to H.H. the Dalai Lama. The editor did a great job of picking pertinent selections for this little book. I wouldn't leave home without one!

Named for the mythical (?) and mystical kingdom in the East, Shambhala Publications is known for bringing some of the greatest and sometimes most obscure philosophical writings of Mankind to the attention of the general public. Heavily (though not exclusively) concerned with Buddhist and Taoist thought, Shambhala Pocket Classics are an attractive set of unabridged minibooks which fit comfortably in a shirt pocket, making them perfect for reading on planes, trains, and automobiles. Titles in the set include THE BOOK OF TEA, WAY OF THE JEWISH MYSTICS, ZEN FLESH, ZEN BONES, TAO TE CHING, POEMS BY EMILY DICKINSON, THE ART OF WAR, THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD and this volume, THE POCKET DALAI LAMA which is, as its name suggests, a brief compilation of quotes and aphorisms by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

Mary Craig, the editor, comments in her introduction that critics often complain that the Dalai Lama frequently repeats himself, eschewing originality for simplicity. That's true. His message of kindness and compassion doesn't need a lot of rococo embellishments to be meaningful. Want gongs and bells and incense and brocades and silks? Visit a Tibetan Buddhist service. But even there, the words will be the same simple lessons found in this slim volume.

Be sure and understand this is a "pocket". Very small book.
Anythings good from the Dalai Lama.

Nice little book I can pick up at any time for some quick, inspirational words.