In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

Dalai Lama

Hay House, Jun 17, 2011 - Biography & Autobiography - 211 pages

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is celebrated as Buddhism's preeminent spiritual master and teacher, embodying the highest aspirations of this rich tradition that is more than 2,500 years old. With both profundity and simplicity, he has carried the nuanced teachings of the Buddha to the far corners of the globe, and in the process has touched and transformed millions of lives. Like the Buddha himself, the Dalai Lama, with his ever-smiling face, reaches out to people in ways that connect to their individual mental dispositions, abilities, and everyday realities. Buddhism, which never seeks to proselytize, has been made accessible by the Dalai Lama to both non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike so that we may all learn from one of the most valuable strands of our shared heritage.

This fascinating book brings together extracts from some of His Holiness's most powerful writings and talks. As he explains the elements of the Buddha's teachings and the basic practices of meditation, he also engages and reconciles the innovations of modern science with Buddhist perspectives. Ultimately, His Holiness calls for the celebration of diversity and the recognition of interdependence that breeds a sense of Universal Responsibility—which must govern all of our relationships in this increasingly fragmented world.

Serving as the perfect introduction to the Dalai Lama's philosophy, both Buddhist and secular,In My Own Words is just the book for gleaning insights into the mind of one of the world's greatest spiritual icons.

What people are saying

In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy

User Review  - Not Available - Book Verdict

Owing largely to Tibet's precarious political situation and the charisma of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism is popular in America, but its ancient texts are at times dauntingly obscure. Brief and ...

Review: An Introduction to the Teachings and Philosophy of the Dalai Lama in His Own Words

User Review  - Scotty - Goodreads

An easy to read introduction to the tenants of Tibetan Buddhism, this book is a collection of the Dalia Lama's most accessible works on topics ranging from "compassion" to "karma." For those folks ...

About the author

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Born on July 6, 1935, he was the 5th of 16 children from a farming family in the Tibetan province of Amdo. When he was two years old, he was proclaimed the tulku (rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama. At the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's Head of State and most important political ruler, as Tibet faced occupation by the forces of the People's Republic of China.

After the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan government in exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.

A charismatic figure and noted public speaker, His Holiness is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West. There, he has helped spread Buddhism and promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his distinguished writings and his leadership in the solution of international conflicts, human rights issues, and global environmental problems.

Bibliographic information

• Title: In My Own Words: An Introduction to My Teachings and Philosophy
• Author: Dalai Lama
• Editor: Rajiv Mehrotra
• Translated by: Rajiv Mehrotra
• Contributor: Rajiv Mehrotra
• Edition: 3
• Publisher: Hay House, 2011
• ISBN: 1401931847, 9781401931841
• Length: 211 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Religious; Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan