Rating: 
Summary: Very enlightening!
Review: Prior to reading this book, I was virtually unaware of the teachings of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Although at times I thought that Dr. Cutler was a bit harsh and slanted in the descriptions of his conversations with the Dalai Lama, it seemed that in the end, he always came around to see and express the true depth and insight of this compassionate human being. I realized after reading this book, that I want to know more about the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, which have made the Dalai Lama the kind, loving and enlightened person he is. Definitely worth reading!
Rating: 
Summary: actually none star !
Review: Don't you think that Dalai was used by US government
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Book - Glad it is helping some
Review: I particularly enjoyed the pearls from his holiness and truly belive that he is a special man for our time. Many of his insights and outlooks will truly prove helpful to many of us. I was, as some of my peers above, a little dismayed at Cutler's emphasis on his own personal experience, often in attempts to explain, what the Dalai Lama had expressed quite eloquently.Still, we shouldn't slam Cutler for trying to help some folks - even if he is makin' a buck in the deal! Sorry that some of the readers feel so cheated - it must reflect some of their prior life experiences ; - )
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Cutler is a gentle genius!
Review: God - I mean Buddha - bless Dr. Cutler! Thank you for at last acting like me and asking the questions that finally allowed me to understand what Buddhism was all about. I never understood the Dalai Lama, but I knew there was something wrong with me - and now at last I have some inkling of his wisdom and what it can mean to my everyday life. I am baffled by previous reviews misunderstanding of Dr. Cutler - without asking those questions, we could never have gained such an understanding, and been able to relate the teachings directly to ourselves. What a blessing for all of us that this book was written!
Rating:
Summary: ACTUALLY, ZERO STARS
Review: Any book that purports to express religious wisdom must be read with a sense of respect for everyone's beliefs. This, however, is more than a "spiritual" tract. It is in fact a political polemic--part of the propaganda assault by this CIA-backed former feudal lord who longs to regain ownership of the lands and people he used to own. People talk about his gleeful smile. You'd smile too if you owned 2,500 serfs and had the full financial backing of the U.S. government in your efforts to get them back. Don't be fooled. Ask the masses of workers in Tibet--not the former feudal ruling class--which system they prefer, socialism or slavery. The Dalai Lama is not some benign god guy. He's a puppet serving the U.S. government's war against the People's Republic of China. Tibet has been part of China since the 13th century. The West has been trying to get China back since it "lost" it to 1 billion people who made a revolution in 1949. And by the way, the dalai lama is no great shakes as a writer.
Rating:
Summary: Hated it!
Review: I just finished reading the Art of Happiness and in a nutshell, I hated it. Nice way to earn a quick buck Cutler.
Rating:
Summary: To the readers from Argentina & New York City
Review: I am a Buddhist Tibetan woman living in the U.S. and I just want to say that I am appalled at these two readers who have missed the purpose of the Dalai Lama's preachings towards "The Art of Happiness". Why must you criticize and demean the opinion of others? Have you learned nothing from the Dalai Lama's words? Are the thoughts of others not as legitimate as your own? I believe that the purpose of this site is to comment on the book not to criticize the thoughts of others. I know that if the Dalai Lama could read these self-indulgent comments he would also be disappointed that his words have achieved nothing towards inner happiness for the readers from Argentina and New York City. A suggestion: If you don't agree with the opinion of another, let that be your personal challenge towards personal growth to achieving enlightenment. Otherwise, keep your abusive comments to yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Universal
Review: How strange to have read a book on Eastern thought and find how much it has in common with my own Judaism and with Christian thought. We all like to have our own thoughts validated and I was pleased to note that the Dalai Lama also feels romantic love to be out of touch with reality. Finding a commonality with one's fellow humans based on a compassionate outlook could be a force that changes societies. It's not new, it just needed reiterating and if a new context is needed, why not. I personally only had trouble with thanking one's enemy for the opportunities he/she presents. Pure evil exists in the world. Is it worthwhile to find redeeming qualities in Hitler? I'm also tired of blaming the victim in any way. Is it wrong to want to punish those who commit atrocities? Can we continue to have a society where we need to stand guard over our fellow man? What do you do with those people who act out the complete anthesis of compassion? Maybe we need to teach compassion in kindergarten. I think that even 5 year olds can grasp that they want happiness and so does everyone else.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: Despite what some angered skeptics will say, I found the book enlighetening and I hope more will find the same insight I have. Do yourself a favor and buy this book and give it a shot
Rating:
Summary: To the reader of Boston
Review: It's interesting to see people reading about Buddhism, and making this kind of comments. Dr. Cutler sarcasm bothered you? and that makes the book bad?, because he was sceptic?, and this don't let you distill the essence of a Philosophic book? This is not a novel, this is book is like an orange, you can crunch the complete orange, and you will obtain an acid and not tasty juice... or you can first take the shell out, and then crush the orange, in the last case you obtain pure and nutritive orange juice, then trow the shell and pulp away. Buddhism can even teach you to read... I'm learning that. And I'm still a Buddhism ignorant. Thanks to Dr. Cutler and his holiness the Dalai Lama lots of western people have in this book an easy approach to solve daily problems... and... a ramp to enter in Buddhism world, if you really can feel it.
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