Stages of Meditation (Paperback)

~ The Dalai Lama (Author)
Key Phrases: calmly abiding mind, calm abiding meditation, sixty aeons, Stages of Meditation, Tibetan Text, Identifying the Nature of Suffering (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Stages of Meditation is a commentary by the Dalai Lama on a rare text by ninth-century Indian Buddhist scholar Kamalashila, written in Tibet to correct some Chinese misinterpretations of Buddhism that were influential at the time. Kamalashila's short work is not widely known today, but according to the Dalai Lama, it is a most important text, and worthy of study by those new to Buddhism, because "on the basis of this knowledge you will be able to understand other treatises without great difficulty. This text can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures."

Throughout the book, the Dalai Lama emphasizes the importance of logical analysis of scriptures, even if they are in the Buddha's own words; some teachings, he stresses, "should not be taken literally, but need interpretation." And this is what he does in this clear and readable commentary, originally given in 1989 and now translated and published for the first time. Its 10 short chapters are on such familiar Buddhist themes as Training the Mind, Compassion, Identifying the Nature of Suffering, and The Practice of Calm Abiding.

"Through meditation," says the Dalai Lama, "we can train our minds in such a way that negative qualities are abandoned and positive qualities are generated and enhanced." Those who practice meditation, whether Buddhist or not, will find this a thoughtful and practical guide, written with the Dalai Lama's characteristic warmth and gentleness. --David V Barrett, Amazon.co.uk --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"For the budding practitioner, there are few teachings more essential or indispensible than Kamalshila's Stages of Meditation" -Foreward Magazine
-- Review --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559391979
• ISBN-13: 978-1559391979
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #348,009 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "How-to" guide to happiness., March 28, 2001

By	G. Merritt (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Stages of Meditation (Hardcover)

This book may be read as a "how-to" guide to "The Art of Happiness." In this commentary, the Dalai Lama turns his attention to the intermediate section of the BHAVANAKRAMA, a meditation handbook composed by the ninth-century, "great scholar-saint" (p. 7), Acharya Kamalashila. A practice manual for taming the mind, this book is aimed at cultivating "within our minds those positive qualities taught by the Buddha" (p. 19). You will find teachings here to awaken your bodhichitta mind, and to help you find your way on the bodhisattva path to enlightenment.

This deeply-meaningful book offers a good introduction to Buddhism. It might just change your life, or temporarily liberate you from suffering. The Dalai Lama addresses compassion, loving-kindness, and calm abiding (Chapter 8), along with the often-difficult Buddhist concepts of equanimity (Chapter 4), suffering (Chapter 5), and emptiness in terms accessible to a Western reader. He writes, this book "can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures" (p. 27). Simply stated, this book delivers the dharma.

G. Merritt

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and warm. An absolute pleasure to read, February 3, 2005

By	D. A. Patton "Minding the Gap" (Santa Ana, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Stages of Meditation (Hardcover)

Essentially a study of Mahayanan Buddhism, this book is also excellent choice for those interested in refining their mindfulness meditation practice. There are full chapters describing calm abiding and actualizing special insight. Both are discussed in great detail with vivid examples. I would consider it to be a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of mindfulness meditation.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for appropriate readers, February 18, 2004

By	SN "songuyen" (alameda, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stages of Meditation (Hardcover)

This book is aimed at those who already have the basic knowledge of Buddhism. Those who wish to know the basic of Buddhism should pick up What Buddhists Believe by K. Sri Dhammananda. Stages of Meditation is about the practice of the Madhyamika school of Buddhism. Though a follower of the Theravada school, I greatly enjoy the teaching expounded in this text. The language is precise and to the point. Hence it could be a little dry and challenging to novice readers. Each school of Buddhism explains the core Buddhist concepts a little differently. Because of this students of the Dharma can pick up different insights from reading texts outside of their school. This is hugely benefiting for the development of wisdom and compassion.