Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature (The Library of Wisdom and Compassion vol. 3)

Reveals the mind's Buddha Nature by explaining Buddhist thought on the self, describing how afflictions arise and are cured, and examining karma and cyclical existence. The material in this volume is invaluable for those who sincerely wish to understand the Buddhist path and begin to follow it. Venerable Sangye Khadro, author of How to Meditate In this new book from the Dalai Lama, the reader will discover the minds infinitely vast potential, its buddha nature. Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (the purified mind). To illustrate this, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the four truths, and their sixteen attributes. It then explains afflictionsincluding how they arise and their antidotesfollowed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence, and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities. This is the third volume in the Dalai Lamas definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path, contains introductory material that sets the context for Buddhist practice. Volume 2, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, describes the important teachings that help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature can be read as the logical next step in this series or enjoyed on its own. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature takes up centrally important premises of Buddhism: the unsatisfactoriness ( duhkha ) of cyclic existence ( samsara ), the determination to be free of cyclic existence, and the mind as the basis for both the extreme duhkha of samsara and the bliss of nirvana. This volume shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities. Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the extreme duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (the purified mind). To illustrate this, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the Four Noble Truths, and their sixteen attributes. Then, the Dalai Lama explains afflictions, their arising and antidotes, followed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. This is the third volume in the Dalai Lama's definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion . Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path , contained introductory material that sets the context for Buddhist practice. Volume 2, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice , describes the important teachings that help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature can be read as the logical next step in this series or enjoyed on its own. This Is A Special Multivolume Series In Which His Holiness The Dalai Lama Shares The Buddha's Teachings On The Complete Path To Full Awakening That He Himself Has Practiced His Entire Life. Bhikṣ̣u Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama And Bhikṣuṇ̣i Thubten Chodron. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.