In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be a living embodiment of the spiritual ideal. Here His Holiness presents a detailed manual of practical philosophy based on the best-known text of Mahayana Buddhism, The Way of the Bodhisattva. That text has been studied, practiced, and expounded upon in an unbroken tradition for centuries. With the Dalai Lama's extraordinary insight into the human condition and what it means to be a responsible and caring person, this book will appeal to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The importance of the commentary offered here and its wide-reaching appeal makes this a worthy inclusion for the Shambhala Pocket Library series.
In this book, the Dalai Lama explains the bodhisattva path and how compassion is the guiding principle of the bodhisattva--a person who vows to attain enlightenment in order to liberate all sentient beings from suffering and confusion. To this end, he or she renounces hatred, craving, and self-absorption and dedicates his or her life to protecting the welfare of others. The Dalai Lama explains and amplifies the text verse by verse, showing how anyone can develop a truly "good heart."