For almost six centuries, the Dalai Lamas have st... more

For almost six centuries, the Dalai Lamas have stood as the principal spiritual leaders of Central Asia, and they have held secular power over Tibet for almost half that time. They have served as gurus to Mongolian khans and Chinese emperors alike, as well as to the masses of peoples inhabiting the numerous kingdoms of Central Asia.Author Glenn Mullin vividly brings to life the sacred mythology associated with the Dalai Lama. He captures the spiritual and political history of this remarkable personage, with accounts not only of the fourteen Dalai Lamas and the legacy of reincarnation surrounding them, but also of the dozens of previous lives of the soul that became these fourteen extraordinary beings. In addition, he has supplemented the stories of the various Dalai Lamas with excerpts from their spiritual teachings, their philosophy and their mystical poetry.The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, is now almost a household name around the world. However, the ancient tradition of reincarnation to which he is heir is less well known. The First Dalai Lama was born in a nomadic hut in 1391, and each subsequent Dalai Lama is regarded as his reincarnation, choosing to take up the burdens of a human life again and again in order to benefit the world.... less

In Worlds in Harmony, the Dalai Lama explores the... more

In Worlds in Harmony, the Dalai Lama explores the nature of suffering and its release through compassionate action. It focuses on the understanding that a deep awareness of our shared desire to avoid pain leads to an awareness of our responsibility to relieve others of suffering.Worlds in Harmony offers the reader insight into the relation between awareness and right action, and bridges personal consciousness and global concerns. With the knowledge that insight is of no use unless it results in action, the Dalai Lama teaches ways of being, thinking, and acting in the world that are based on equanimity and understanding. This book can be a key guide to the practice of healing and compassionate action in daily life.... less

The Dalai Lama is both the living conscience of t... more

The Dalai Lama is both the living conscience of the Tibetan people and an internationally respected human rights symbol. His high-profile appearances and books have fueled the surging popularity of Buddhism in the United States and throughout the West. This new, up-to-date biography provides insight into the curious and winning personality of the Dalai Lama as a boy and his wisdom as a man. The Buddhist spiritual worlds and the Dalai Lamas rarified role are engagingly and evenly presented.The Dalai Lamas story is revealed from his early family life to his experiences in the world, his education as the 14th incarnation of the Lama, his exile in India, and his current struggles to help Tibet regain its independence from China. Especially helpful is the clear historical overview of the Tibetan crisis after the Chinese invasion. A timeline and glossary also supplement the text. Though the book is written especially for high school students doing reports, it will also be of immense interest to general readers.... less

This book contains excerpts of the unusually beau... more

This book contains excerpts of the unusually beautiful and inspiring words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. His message of the universal need for kindness and consideration at every level of human relations, from person-to-person to global concerns, is one that transcends all cultural and religious boundaries. The book has been compiled from talks the Dalai Lama has made at various universities, monasteries, and interfaith services around the world. His thoughts are at once both lively and profound, for, surprisingly to some who first meet him, His Holiness has a refreshingly wonderful sense of humor. The crucial necessity for world peace, including the overriding threat of nuclear weapons, and the need to show concern for the environment are also interwoven in these Guidelines for Living which should be read by anyone who cares about the fate of our increasingly interdependent and imperiled Earth.... less