The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism [Hardcover]

Bstan-Dzin-Rgya-Mtsho (Author), Dalai Lama (Author), Donald S. Lopez (Author)

Book Description

Series: Path to Enlightenment Series | Publication Date: October 20, 1994

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teaching legacy to the world -- a beautiful and accessible presentation of the time-honored path to enlightenment -- is one of the world's great spiritual treasures.

The Way to Freedom, the inaugural volume of the landmark Library of Tibet series, is the essential primer on Tibetan Buddhism for both neophytes and advanced students. Based on a fifteenth-century text never before translated for a general audience, it is the revered heart of Tibetan practice, presented here in easy-to-understand steps by the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual and political leader.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Great teachers seem to walk alongside those to whom they speak, when in fact they are all the while leading down the path that they illuminate. In this slender volume, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speaks with a quiet, modest grace that is not without wry humor as well. Both a primer for the merely interested and a solid course of study for the advanced student of Tibetan Buddhism, this readable treatise, while walking the fine line between proselytism and conviction, cogently considers the timely necessity and benefit of spiritual study; the criteria for selecting a teacher; the logical reasoning of the Buddhist concepts of death, rebirth, refuge, karma etc.; "The Four Noble Truths"; and the Bodhisattva model of ideals and action. This first volume in the publisher's new Library of Tibet series affirms its own assertion that "Buddhism is a treasure meant for the entire world."
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This jewel by His Holiness is the initial volume in the landmark "Library of Tibet" series. Based on the "Stages of the Path" scriptures of Tsong-Khapa (1357-1419), it presents the essence of Tibetan Buddhism. Coverage spans teaching, refuge, the guru, rebirth as continuity of consciousness, the nature of impermanence, suffering, freedom from delusion, and developing compassion. Dedicating to others the merit from our actions and purifying negativities by cherishing others and by virtuous activity are all seen as fitting the Buddhist definition of ethics as harmlessness, while our precious human birth offers a chance to tame the mind according to the scope of our motives. Is our ultimate aim liberation only of ourself or others? The latter is the "Great Scope," a unique feature of being human that enables us to perfect altruism and reach Buddhahood. This magnificent, noble text will uplift all readers. Highly recommended.
Dara Eklund, Los Angeles P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; 1 edition (October 20, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060617225
• ISBN-13: 978-0060617226
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Free your mind with this book, August 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

Freedom is always thought to be do whatever you want to do, say whatever you want to say, go wherever you want to go, and think whatever you want to think. However, that's not ultimate freedom but simply freedom of the way we live and think.

In this book, you can find the way to the ultimate freedom, the freedom of thoughts and the mind. After all these years of living, all of us are, borrow a term from the field of cognitive psychology, "conditioned" to think, say, behave in certain ways. No matter how we think we are "free" to do or think about certain things, we have already been conditioned through social learnings or our other experience. The truth, so to speak, is to unlearn all these and see the world from a totally different perspective. After reading this book, you will learn that things are not necessarily what they appear or you perceive them to be. All are in the working of the consciousness and the mind.

If you want to find what is the ultimate freedom, the freedom of all worldly bondage, the freedom of the mind, you are looking at the right book. Buddhist beliefs are not myths. They are so accessible and easy to understand, no one should feel threatened by the fact that it is associated with a religion. I would recommend it to everyone, including believers of other religions.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the path to a happier and more fulfilling life, December 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent introduction to Buddhist thought. As someone who is just beginning to explore the precepts of Buddhism, this book gives a great summary of the basics. However, its true gift is that it challenges anyone who reads it to begin making changes in themselves in a way that would bring a positive influence in the world.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will become your most precious book!, November 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

If you are going to buy only one book about Buddhism, choose this one. You will feel as if His Holiness is talking with you personally, speaking directly to your heart, and the truth of His words will strike a very deep cord in your heart. This book left me with tears in my eyes many times, tears of intense emotion, happiness and fulfillement. I am a better person for having read it and there is no way I can properly express my gratitude to HH for having wrote it.