A Simple but Powerful BookFebruary 9, 1999 I converted to Buddhism 3 years ago, and it was reading Buddhist books that helped me do so. I have read plenty of Buddhist books and after reading this one, I have to say that it condenses all the most important teachings into a context that is easy to digest and understand. Not only have I been inspired by the words of the H.H. Dalai Lama, but I found myself immediately remembering and applying his words to my life. Although I have yet a lot to learn and practice, I am a much happier person because of this book.
Incredibly moving book.January 19, 1999 Cutler's book gives great insight into how non-buddhists can apply this eastern philosophy's teachings to our own lives, and perhaps live happier,more fulfulling lives while we're at it.
wonderful introduction to dalai lama's teachingsJanuary 10, 1999 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
After seeing recent movies about the Dalai Lama, I was curious about the man and his teachings. In Cutler's book, the Dalai Lama comes across as as a wonderfully happy man, thrilled with life and all it has to offer, good and bad. His happiness is achieved through years of meditation and the training of his mind based on the teachings of Buddha while interacting with the real world of people and their problems. Cutler summarizes a collection of lectures and through those summaries the reader can access a sense of how to achieve happiness, through training one's mind to be compassionate and kind. Sounds simple, but it's not. No one becomes as blissful as the Dalai Lama without a lot of hard work. But what a happy and positive goal...to be happy... and worthy of a life's work. I did find Cutler to be wordy, repetitive and I would have preferred more Dalai Lama and less chatter on the psychological implications of his teachings. This book is a great introduction to the Dalai Lama and inspired me to read more books about and by him.
It was everything I expected.December 7, 1998 After I read this book I started to think more of things that happen to me. I found out how to accept the bad side of life and live with it. I also learned how to make the good facts of life make my happy. This book simply taught me how to become a happier person.
best book on Dalai Lama to dateDecember 3, 1998 Howard Cutler has really helped explain the fundamentals of eastern philosophy to a western culture.
