The world of Tibetan Buddhism : an overview of its philosophy and practice

With Preface by Richard Gere. The World of Tibetan Buddhism is the definitive explanation of Tibetan Buddhism by the world's ultimate authority, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. First providing a general overview of the most elemental Buddhist concepts and terms, the Dalai Lama then goes into reasonable depth on Buddhist values and the Tibetan practice of Vajrayana Buddhism, with a focus on Tantra. A Q&A section and glossary are included. In his foreword to The World of Tibetan Buddhism, actor Richard Gere describes the Dalai Lama as "universally respected as one of our greatest spiritual friends." The implied sentiment of equality and ease is appropriate for this manual by His Holiness, who here continues his loving attack on the West through publishing. A guidebook, this fluid translation by Geshe Thupten Jinpa of talks given by the Dalai Lama in London in 1988 is suitable for beginners in, as well as more advanced practitioners of, the Buddhist way, for it discusses general Buddhism as well as the esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism of Tibet. This is an absorbing account of a dialogue between leading Western scientists and the foremost representative of Buddhism today, the Dalai Lama of Tibet. For modern science, the transitional states of consciousness lie at the forefront of research in many fields. For a Buddhist practitioner these same states present crucial opportunities to explore and transform consciousness itself. This book is the account of a historic dialogue between leading Western scientists and the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Revolving around three key moments of consciousness--sleep, dreams, and death--the conversations recorded here are both engrossing and highly readable. Whether the topic is lucid dreaming, near-death experiences, or the very structure of consciousness itself, the reader is continually surprised and delighted. Narrated by Francisco Varela, an internationally recognized neuroscientist, the book begins with insightful remarks on the notion of personal identity by noted philosopher Charles Taylor, author of the acclaimed Sources of Self . This sets the stage for Dr. Jerome Engel, Dr. Joyce MacDougal, and others to engage in extraordinary exchanges with the Dalai Lama on topics ranging from the neurology of sleep to the yoga of dreams. Remarkable convergences between the Western scientific tradition and the Buddhist contemplative sciences are revealed. Dr. Jayne Gackenbach's discussion of lucid dreaming, for example, prompts a detailed and fascinating response from the Dalai Lama on the manipulation of dreams by Buddhist meditators. The conversations also reveal provocative divergences of opinion, as when the Dalai Lama expresses skepticism about "Near-Death Experiences" as presented by Joan Halifax. The conversations are engrossing and highly readable. Any reader interested in psychology, neuroscience, Buddhism, or the alternative worlds of dreams will surely enjoy Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying .

Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying is an absorbing account of the expanding dialogue between leading Western scientists and the foremost representative of Buddhism today, the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Revolving around three key moments of consciousness — sleep, dreams, and death — the conversations recorded here are both engrossing and highly readable. Narrated by Francisco Varela, an internationally recognized neuroscientist, the book begins with insightful remarks on the notion of personal identity by noted philosopher Charles Taylor, author of the acclaimed Sources of Self. This sets the stage for Dr. Jerome Engel, Dr. Joyce MacDougal and others to engage in extraordinary exchanges with the Dalai Lama on topics ranging from the neurology of sleep to the yoga of dreams. The conversations also reveal provocative divergences of opinion, as when the Dalai Lama expresses skepticism about "Near Death Experiences" as presented by Joan Halifax.

Library Journal

This fourth in a series of dialogs (from the Mind and Life Conferences) between the Dalai Lama and Western scientists focuses on the subtle stages of consciousness involved in sleeping, dreaming, and dying. Knowledge from traditional Buddhist meditation and teachings concerning subtle levels of mind are compared and contrasted with Western scientific interpretations of consciousness, particularly during the REM sleep, lucid dreaming, and near-death and sudden-death experiences. Although the topic of near-death experiences is currently very popular, these conversations are academic in tone and will appeal mostly to the very committed lay reader. Suitable for academic and larger public libraries.

"This book is the account of a historic dialogue between leading Western scientists and one of the foremost representatives of Buddhism today, the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Revolving around the three key moments of consciousness of sleep, dreams, and death - what internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Francisco Varela calls the ego's shadow zones - the conversations recorded here took place at the fourth Mind and Life Conference in Dharamsala, India. With contributions from acclaimed voices such as philosopher Charles Taylor, psychoanalyst Joyce McDougall, psychologist Jayne Gackenbach, cultural ecologist Joan Halifax, and neuroscientist Jerome Engel, the book is both engrossing and highly readable. Whether the topic is lucid dreaming, near death experiences, or the very structure of consciousness itself, the participants in this unique exchange continually surprise and delight us with their discoveries of convergences and divergences between their respective traditions."--Jacket With characteristic humility, His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins this landmark survey of the entire Buddhist path by saying, "I think an overview of Tibetan Buddhism for the purpose of providing a comprehensive framework of the path may prove helpful in deepening your understanding and practice." In this book, the Dalai Lama delivers a presentation that is both concise and profound, accessible and engaging. As readers explore Tibetan Buddhism more fully than ever before, they will find in His Holiness a great friend and authority. This absorbing account of a dialogue between leading Western scientists and the foremost representative of Buddhism today, the Dalai Lama of Tibet, features narration by Francisco Varela, an internationally recognized neuroscientist. Engrossing and highly readable, the conversations will be of merit to any reader interested in psychology, neuroscience, Buddhism, or the alternative worlds of dreams. 10 illustrations. 3 color photos. The World of Tibetan Buddhism is the definitive explanation of Tibetan Buddhism by the world's ultimate authority, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. First providing a general overview of the most elemental Buddhist concepts and terms, the Dalai Lama then goes into reasonable depth on Buddhist values and the Tibetan practice of Vajrayana Buddhism, with a focus on Tantra. A Q & A section and glossary are included