A clear and straightforward introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, this book presents the basic teachings of Buddha in a way that people can readily comprehend and put into practice in their daily lives. Topics such as reincarnation, actions and their effects, emptiness, liberation and enlightenment are discussed. Designed primarily for those coming to the subject for the first time, the book also offers new insights for the more advanced student of Tibetan Buddhism. Originally published in 1989.

'We often say: My mind, my mind. But if someone were to ask us: What is your mind? We would have no correct answer. This is because we do not understand the nature and function of the mind correctly.' - Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. How to Understand the Mind offers us deep insight into our mind. It shows us how an understanding of our mind's nature and functions can be used to improve our lives practically, in our everyday experience. It begins by guiding us to develop and maintain a light, positive mind. It then explains how to recognize and abandon mental states that harm us, and shows us in how to replace them with peaceful beneficial states. The book goes on to describe different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. The book concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, which we use for controlling and transforming our mind until we attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.

A clear and straightforward introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, this book presents the basic teachings of Buddha in a way that people can readily comprehend and put into practice in their daily lives. Topics such as reincarnation, actions and their effects, emptiness, liberation and enlightenment are discussed. Designed primarily for those coming to the subject for the first time, the book also offers new insights for the more advanced student of Tibetan Buddhism. Originally published in 1989.

Beginning with Buddha's life story, this concise guide explains the essential elements of the Buddhist way of life, such as understanding the mind, rebirth, karma and ultimate truth, and what it means to be a Buddhist. Meditation is explained clearly and simply as a tool for developing qualities such as inner peace, love and patience. The emphasis throughout is on the practical application of Buddhist ideas and practice to finding solutions to everyday problems. Those interested in Buddhism and meditation will find this book a rich source of guidance and inspiration.

The story of Buddha's life is timeless and is as relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago when Buddha was alive. Illustrated in full color, "The Story of Buddha" depicts major events from Buddha's life that demonstrate how we also can develop kindness and compassion within ourselves. In this way we can eventually fulfill our own wishes as well as the wishes of all our friends. Few can fail to be inspired by this powerful story.

This is the second book in the Buddhism for Children series. The Buddhism for Children series invites children to make a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement to help them realize their full potential. The series aims to show how everyone, Buddhist and non-Buddhist, can learn something from the teachings of Buddha. The Buddhism for Children series consists of 4 levels ranging from ages 4 to 10 and over.

In this busy world, our experiences of happiness are fleeting and short-lived, while inner peace eludes us completely. Our negative states of mind, such as uncontrolled desire and anger, create endless problems for us (and others) and prevent us from fulfilling our deepest wishes. Buddha's popular teaching on the Four Noble Truths offers a clear and simple solution, guiding us to an oasis of boundless peace within our hearts.

A practical manual for daily life that shows how we can develop and maintain inner peace, reduce and stop our experience of problems, and bring about positive changes in our mind that will lead us to experience deep and lasting happiness. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Buddhism and his own deep experience of these practices, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso presents a comprehensive path to inner and outer peace, perfectly suited to the modern world. "When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as our problem, but in reality whatever problems we experience come from the mind. If we were to respond to difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mind they would not be problems for us; indeed, we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development. Problems arise only if we respond to difficulties with a negative state of mind. Therefore, if we want to be happy all the time and to be free from problems, we must develop and maintain a peaceful mind."

A special presentation of Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom that communicates their essence in a way that is easy to understand and put into practice. By developing and maintaining compassion and wisdom in daily life, we can transform our lives, improve our relationships with others and look behind appearances to see the way things really are. In this way we can find lasting happiness and accomplish the real meaning of our human life. With compassion and wisdom, like the two wings of a bird, we can quickly reach the enlightened world of a Buddha. From the author: 'I would particularly like to encourage everyone to read specifically the chapter "Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta". Through carefully reading and contemplating this chapter again and again with a positive mind, you will gain very profound knowledge, or wisdom, which will bring great meaning to your life.' This inspiring handbook of daily practice is perfectly suited to those seeking within Buddhism solutions to problems of everyday life, as well as for encouraging practitioners of all faiths to deepen their understanding and practice of the spiritual path.

Buddha Heruka is a manifestation of all the Buddhas' enlightened compassion, and by relying upon him we can swiftly attain a pure selfless joy and bring true happiness to others. Geshe Kelsang first explains with great clarity and precision how we can practise the sublime meditations of Heruka body mandala, and thereby gradually transform our ordinary world and experiences, bringing us closer to Buddhahood. He then provides definitive instructions on the completion stage practices that lead to the supreme bliss of full enlightenment in this one lifetime. This is a treasury of practical instructions for those seriously interested in following the Tantric path.

The story of Buddha's life is timeless and is as relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago when Buddha was alive. It shows how we can learn to maintain a peaceful mind all the time so that we can be happy all the time, and in this way fulfil our own wishes as well as the wishes of all our friends. Few can fail to be inspired by this powerful story. The Buddhism for Children series invites children to make a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement to help them realize their full potential. The purpose is not to convert them to Buddhism but simply to show how everyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, can learn something from the teachings of Buddha. These books address the reader in a mature fashion, using the life and teachings of Buddha as a basis for exploring many of the issues and concerns that confront children today. And although these books are written principally for children, anyone who wants a clear explanation of the essence of Buddhism and how it applies to modern living will benefit greatly from reading them.

Revised and clarified to guide the meditator through the profound and world-transforming practice of Mahamudra: the very essence of Buddha's teachings of Sutra and Tantra. Reveals the uncommon practice of Tantric Mahamudra of the Ganden Oral Lineage which the author received directly from his Spiritual Guide, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche. Following the root text of the Mahamudra - The Main Path of the Conquerors by the First Panchen Lama - this remarkable book provides easy-to-understand explanations and extremely clear insights based on the author's experience during many years of retreat. The author concisely explains the entire spiritual path from the initial preliminary practices to the final completion stages of Highest Yoga Tantra, which enable to attain full enlightenment in this life. Includes precious meditation instructions on tranquil abiding, superior seeing, the yoga of the central channel, the yoga of the drop, and the yoga of wind.

A detailed and practical explanation of one of Buddhism's best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind, by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa. Clear methods are simply presented for transforming all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, for improving our relationships, and for bringing greater patience, empathy and compassion into our daily life. These methods have inspired generations of Buddhist practitioners for almost a thousand years, and brought lasting peace, inspiration and serenity to countless people. Now, with this book, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso shares the immeasurably rich insight of this ancient wisdom to help us find greater happiness and meaning in our busy, modern lives. With this revised presentation, The New Eight Steps to Happiness, Geshe Kelsang re-introduces us to the essential practices of Training the Mind. He not only challenges our entire understanding of the world, but also challenges us to transform ourself into the greatest being we can possibly become!

This practical guide introduces us to the expansive inner world of meditation through a series of twenty-one meditations which lead us step-by-step to increasingly beneficial states of mind. Together, these meditations form the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. By following simple meditation instructions, readers can experience the inner tranquility and lightness of mind that comes from meditation- thereby bringing greater happiness to ourself and others. Clear and relevant meditation break practices are revealed, so readers can integrate the meditations into their daily activities.

A Bodhisattva is a friend of the world who, motivated by compassion, spontaneously seeks enlightenment to benefit all living beings.
In this practical guide to compassionate living, Geshe Kelsang explains in detail how to take and keep the Bodhisattva vows, how to purify downfalls, and how to practise the Bodhisattva's deeds of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom.
With this handbook as our companion, we can enter the Bodhisattva's way of life and progress along the path to full enlightenment.

Within all of lies a source of infinite bliss, clarity of wisdom, and compassion for others. In this unique and highly praised book - based on Buddha's Tantric teachings - the contemporary Buddhist Master, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, presents authentic methods for discovering this inner wealth within ourselves. In a clear and precise way, he explains step-by-step how we can generate a deeply peaceful and concentrated mind by harnessing the subtle energy system within our body. With this blissful awareness we can uncover our true nature, destroy ignorance and suffering at its root, and swiftly become a source of inspiration and benefit for others. 'Clear Light of Bliss' is a manual for Tantric meditation that reveals the most profound secrets of the ancient Yogis and makes their blissful experience accessible to the modern world.

This book Great Treasury of Merit, is an extensive commentary to the profound traditional Guru yoga practice, Offering to the Spiritual Guide, the gateway through which we can accumulate the merit, or good fortune, necessary for successful Tantric practice.

We know from our own experience that when our mind is peaceful we are happy all the time, even if our external conditions are poor, but when our mind is not peaceful we are not happy, even if our external conditions are excellent. The method to make our mind peaceful is training in meditation. This book explains a simple breathing meditation suitable for all ages and briefly introduces more advanced forms of meditation.

A beautifully illustrated story of hope and personal transformation from the life of Buddha that addresses many of the issues confronting both children and adults today. Themes include: - How to stop being angry and harmful - How to be calm and peaceful - How to be loving and kind towards each other. This book is level 1 of 4 in the Buddhism for Children series. The Buddhism for Children series invites children to make a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement to help them realize their full potential. The purpose is not to convert them to Buddhism but simply to show how everyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, can learn something from the teachings of Buddha. These books address the reader in a mature fashion, using the life and teachings of Buddha as a basis for exploring many of the issues and concerns that confront children today. And although these books are written principally for children, anyone who wants a clear explanation of the essence of Buddhism and how it applies to modern living will benefit greatly from reading them.

This book introduces the mind, as distinct from the brain, and invites the reader to explore and develop their mind using scientific methods taught by Buddha. It shows how the problems we encounter in life do not exist outside of ourself, but are part of our mind that experiences unpleasant feelings. Learning to control our mind, especially our desire, is the only way to bring all our problems to an end.

A practical and inspiring guide to Buddhist meditation: 1. How to discover the inner peace of meditation; 2. How to apply meditation in daily life; 3. How we can make our life happy and meaningful. This practical guide teaches how to make ourself and others happy by developing inner peace - and in this way how to make our lives more meaningful. Without inner peace there is no real happiness. Problems, suffering and unhappiness do not exist outside the mind; they are feelings and thus part of our mind. Therefore, it is only by controlling our mind that we can permanently stop our problems and make ourself and others truly happy. The 21 Buddhist meditation practices presented in this book are actual methods to control our mind so as to experience lasting inner peace. This is an indispensable handbook for those seeking happiness and meaning in their lives.

Kadampa Buddhism is becoming increasingly popular as a clear and practical spiritual path for the contemporary practitioner. Originating with the special presentation of Mahayana Buddhism by the great Buddhist masters Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, Kadampa Buddhism makes the path to enlightenment accessible to the modern world and explains clearly how to transform our lives into the spiritual path. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a meditation master of this living tradition, explains two essential spiritual practices.

The first is a special meditation practice in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa, through which we can receive blessings and gain the realizations of the path to enlightenment. The second is meditation on the Buddha of Wisdom in the aspect of a Dharma Protector, whereby we gain the necessary internal strength to overcome all obstacles to our spiritual practice.

Many people have the compassionate wish to benefit others, but few understand how to accomplish this effectively in daily life. Bodhisattvas are friends of the world who have such strong compassion they are able to transform all their daily activities into methods to benefit others. The path of the Bodhisattva was exquisitely explained in the universally loved poem Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by the 8th century master Shantideva. With this commentary by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, the effectiveness and profundity of this way of life are clearly revealed and made practical for our modern world.