Quintessence of the Animate and Inanimate: A Discourse on the Holy Dharma [Paperback]

Venerable Lama Lodo (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: Kdk Pubns (June 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910165017
• ISBN-13: 978-0910165013
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,013,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Guide, November 28, 2011

By 

John S. Baker "Chela 01" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quintessence of the Animate and Inanimate: A Discourse on the Holy Dharma (Paperback)

I attended many of the teachings that served as the basis for this book. I know and admire the Lama, now a Rinpoche.

This work is a step by step guide to the basics of Tibetan Buddhism. But it's not just a basic book because it gives brief explanations of some advanced practices like Deity Yoga and Mahamudra.

I have always worked with a Lama and can only speak from this perspective. Following the guidance of a Lama is the quick path, and I regret to say that I am a failure. Considering the training I have received and the opportunities I have had to meet great teachers, I have not done very well. But I haven't gone backwards. That's important. So if you want these teachings it's best to get the help of a Lama for training in meditation and other practices.

But things are more open now, more and more books and teachings are available. Lama Lodo often has said that the advanced practices are the preliminary practices, by which he meant the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma. In other words, the Tibetan teachings start with turning your mind away from worldly things so you can concentrate on your practice. The difficulty of achieving a human existence and meeting the Dharma is the first of these four thoughts. They make up the first part of the book, and anyone can meditate on them or practice them. If I had really meditated on those four thoughts while I was wasting time, I probably would be a lot better off today. But I meditate on them now. They still are a help to me.

These explanations were worked out in live teachings to a group preparing for retreat. They're aimed at American students to enable them to do authentic spiritual practice in the Tibetan Tradition. This is a wonderful book for a beginner because it lays out the whole path in a very clear way. It's also a useful reference work for later stages of the path.

Lam Rim is the Tibetan name of the texts that teach the whole path. Most of the texts available in English are aimed at the Sutra path. This work includes the Tantrayana or Vajrayana in very condensed form as well as the Sutrayana. I have bought this book several times because I find myself giving it away if someone asks me for a good book on Tibetan Buddhism. It's all right here.