Stages of Meditation

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and warm. An absolute pleasure to read
Review: Essentially a study of Mahayanan Buddhism, this book is also excellent choice for those interested in refining their mindfulness meditation practice. There are full chapters describing calm abiding and actualizing special insight. Both are discussed in great detail with vivid examples. I would consider it to be a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of mindfulness meditation.

Rating:
Summary: A "must-read" for followers of the Dalai Lama
Review: Stages Of Meditation is a extensive commentary written by the venerable Dalai Lama upon the middle section of the Bhavanakrama by Kamalashila; a translation of this section is included. The text and the Dalai Lama's wisdom offer insight into understanding all Buddhist scriptures, and covering such matters as how to embrace kindness and live, know calmness, and achieve insight. A "must-read" for followers of the Dalai Lama and an unquestionably worthy addition to Buddhist studies reading lists and reference collections.

Rating:
Summary: A great book for appropriate readers
Review: This book is aimed at those who already have the basic knowledge of Buddhism. Those who wish to know the basic of Buddhism should pick up What Buddhists Believe by K. Sri Dhammananda. Stages of Meditation is about the practice of the Madhyamika school of Buddhism. Though a follower of the Theravada school, I greatly enjoy the teaching expounded in this text. The language is precise and to the point. Hence it could be a little dry and challenging to novice readers. Each school of Buddhism explains the core Buddhist concepts a little differently. Because of this students of the Dharma can pick up different insights from reading texts outside of their school. This is hugely benefiting for the development of wisdom and compassion.

Rating:
Summary: A great book for appropriate readers
Review: This book is aimed at those who already have the basic knowledge of Buddhism. Those who wish to know the basic of Buddhism should pick up What Buddhists Believe by K. Sri Dhammananda. Stages of Meditation is about the practice of the Madhyamika school of Buddhism. Though a follower of the Theravada school, I greatly enjoy the teaching expounded in this text. The language is precise and to the point. Hence it could be a little dry and challenging to novice readers. Each school of Buddhism explains the core Buddhist concepts a little differently. Because of this students of the Dharma can pick up different insights from reading texts outside of their school. This is hugely benefiting for the development of wisdom and compassion.

Rating:
Summary: "How-to" guide to happiness.
Review: This book may be read as a "how-to" guide to "The Art of Happiness." In this commentary, the Dalai Lama turns his attention to the intermediate section of the BHAVANAKRAMA, a meditation handbook composed by the ninth-century, "great scholar-saint" (p. 7), Acharya Kamalashila. A practice manual for taming the mind, this book is aimed at cultivating "within our minds those positive qualities taught by the Buddha" (p. 19). You will find teachings here to awaken your bodhichitta mind, and to help you find your way on the bodhisattva path to enlightenment.

This deeply-meaningful book offers a good introduction to Buddhism. It might just change your life, or temporarily liberate you from suffering. The Dalai Lama addresses compassion, loving-kindness, and calm abiding (Chapter 8), along with the often-difficult Buddhist concepts of equanimity (Chapter 4), suffering (Chapter 5), and emptiness in terms accessible to a Western reader. He writes, this book "can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures" (p. 27). Simply stated, this book delivers the dharma.

G. Merritt

Rating:
Summary: "How-to" guide to happiness.
Review: This book may be read as a "how-to" guide to "The Art of Happiness." In this commentary, the Dalai Lama turns his attention to the intermediate section of the BHAVANAKRAMA, a meditation handbook composed by the ninth-century, "great scholar-saint" (p. 7), Acharya Kamalashila. A practice manual for taming the mind, this book is aimed at cultivating "within our minds those positive qualities taught by the Buddha" (p. 19). You will find teachings here to awaken your bodhichitta mind, and to help you find your way on the bodhisattva path to enlightenment.

This deeply-meaningful book offers a good introduction to Buddhism. It might just change your life, or temporarily liberate you from suffering. The Dalai Lama addresses compassion, loving-kindness, and calm abiding (Chapter 8), along with the often-difficult Buddhist concepts of equanimity (Chapter 4), suffering (Chapter 5), and emptiness in terms accessible to a Western reader. He writes, this book "can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures" (p. 27). Simply stated, this book delivers the dharma.

G. Merritt

Rating:
Summary: "How-to" guide to happiness.
Review: This book may be read as a "how-to" guide to "The Art of Happiness." In this commentary, the Dalai Lama turns his attention to the intermediate section of the BHAVANAKRAMA, a meditation handbook composed by the ninth-century, "great scholar-saint" (p. 7), Acharya Kamalashila. A practice manual for taming the mind, this book is aimed at cultivating "within our minds those positive qualities taught by the Buddha" (p. 19). You will find teachings here to awaken your bodhichitta mind, and to help you find your way on the bodhisattva path to enlightenment.

This deeply-meaningful book offers a good introduction to Buddhism. It might just change your life, or temporarily liberate you from suffering. The Dalai Lama addresses compassion, loving-kindness, and calm abiding (Chapter 8), along with the often-difficult Buddhist concepts of equanimity (Chapter 4), suffering (Chapter 5), and emptiness in terms accessible to a Western reader. He writes, this book "can be like a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures" (p. 27). Simply stated, this book delivers the dharma.

G. Merritt