The lineage of the reincarnated line of Dalai Lamas has held primary spiritual authority and, until recently, temporal power in Tibet since the beginning of the fifteenth century. The translations in this book represent a curated set of their writings specifically on tantra, the advanced path of Tibetan Buddhism in which practitioners use a variety of methods and techniques to directly overcome delusion and conflicting emotions. If one has the proper training in sutra and tantra, it is said that the path to enlightenment can be traversed swiftly. Glenn H. Mullin, one of the foremost translators of the Dalai Lamas, has selected key texts from eight of the Dalai Lamas that clearly elucidate the proper understanding and context of the tantric system in this lineage.

An outstanding and engaging introduction to the most widely known Buddhist deity, Chenrezig also known as Avalokiteshvara or Kuan Yin written by a popular Western Buddhist teacher.

"Freeing the Heart and Mind "perfect introduction to the basic teachings of Buddhism, wisdom, compassion, and liberation for all beings. Learning about Buddhism is a gradual process, a process that lasts a lifetime and is deeply rooted in tradition and personal experience. Sakya Trizin expertly presents the essential Buddhist teachings of the four noble truths, compassion, and the correct motivation for practice. This lovely book also includes a biography of the Indian saint and Sakya forefather Virupa as well as the classic Sakya teaching on "parting from the four attachments. His Holiness Sakya Trizin is the head of one of the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. "Freeing the Heart and Mind "is his first book. This beautiful cloth volume will be a treasure for students of Buddhism both new and old.

Everyone appreciates kindness. A smile, a few friendly words, a show of concern when we're troubled or feeling unwell, an offer of help - gestures of kindness like these brighten our day and ease whatever sadness we may feel in our hearts. Feeling that "someone cares" fulfills a very deep need that we all have. And just as we appreciate other people being kind to us, others appreciate it when we are kind to them. That is why it is important to learn to be kind, because it will help make our relationships and interactions with others more satisfying and less problematic. But it's not always easy to be kind. Sometimes our hearts are filled with anger, jealousy, or pride, and being kind is the last thing we feel like doing. Or we get so caught up in our work and responsibilities that we find no time to think of others and their needs, no time to be kind and gentle. However, these problems can be remedied. The Buddhist tradition offers a wealth of methods that can be used to overcome whatever prevents us from being kind and gentle. Some of these methods are explored and explained in this book - in a way that will allow you to practice them in your daily life. Awakening the Kind Heart offers powerful and inviting meditation techniques to activate the heart of kindness within us all - a modern and motivating interpretation of traditional and powerful practices.

This book includes "The Practice Text Extending Throughout Space for the Benefit of Beings" by Tangtong Gyalpo and "The Commentary Continual Rain for the Benefit of Beings" by the 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorjé. The Practice Text is presented in Tibetan, English Transliteration and in English. The Commentary is presented in English. Translation was done by Pamela Gayle White under the guidance of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche. The meditation-recitation of four-armed Chenrezig given here is a particularly effective practice method for human beings. Its lineage originates with the 15th century Tibetan mahasiddha Tangtong Gyalpo, who was Chenrezig himself in human form. It belongs to the "gom-loung" class, meaning that we may engage in the practice without having first received an empowerment. Though it is quite accessible and easy to follow, this concise form of the Chenrezig meditation-recitation can ultimately lead to the same deep realization and results as far more elaborate Chenrezig practices.

One of the latest additions to the Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama series, Refining Gold explains, in clear and direct language, foundational instructions for attaining enlightenment. One of the most central set of teachings of the succession of Dalai Lamas since the fifteenth century is the Lam Rim, or Stages of the Path, teachings—in particular those written by the great Tsongkhapa. These teachings are a guide, from start to finish, on how to engage in the transformational Buddhist practices that lead to enlightenment. In this illuminating work, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama discusses a short but powerful text by his predecessor, the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso, who penned a famous commentary on the Lam Rim entitled Essence of Refined Gold. The Dalai Lama speaks directly to the reader—offering spiritual guidance, personal reflections, and scriptural commentary. His sincere approach and lucid style make Refining Gold one of the most accessible introductions to Tibetan Buddhism ever published. This book was previously published under the title The Path to Enlightenment.

A key Dzogchen text—available together with its Tibetan commentaries, including from the fifteenth Karmapa—from a preeminent translator. The Aspiration Prayer of Samantabhadra, one of the most famous and often-recited Dzogchen texts, is at once an entreaty by the primordial buddha, Samantabhadra, that all sentient beings recognize the nature of their minds and thus become buddhas, and also a wake-up call by our own buddha nature itself. This monumental text outlines the profound view of Dzogchen in a nutshell and, at the same time, provides clear instructions on how to discover the wisdom of a buddha in the very midst of afflictions. In this volume, Karl Brunnhölzl offers translations of three versions of the Aspiration Prayer and accompanies them with translations of the commentaries by Jigmé Lingpa, the Fifteenth Karmapa, and Tsültrim Sangpo. He offers further contextualization with his rich annotation and appendices, which include additional translation from Jigmé Lingpa, Longchenpa, and Patrul Rinpoche. This comprehensive, comprehensible book illuminates this profound text and greatly furthers our understanding of Dzogchen—and of our own nature.

This landmark of interfaith dialogue will inspire readers of all faiths. In The Good Heart, The Dalai Lama provides an extraordinary Buddhist perspective on the teachings of Jesus. His Holiness comments on well-known passages from the four Christian Gospels, including the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the mustard seed, the Resurrection, and others. Drawing parallels between Jesus and the Buddha — and the rich traditions from which they hail — the Dalai Lama delivers a profound affirmation of the sacred in all religions. Readers will be uplifted by the exploration of each tradition’s endless merits and the common humanity they share.