Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism

I am a Buddhist monk (American) and I teach Buddhism. This is by far the best and easiest to understand book on a very complex subject. I use it in my classes and we use it at our Monastery in Seattle, Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. You can't miss with this for a good basic understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.

The author has admirably succeeded in her goal of setting forth the basics of an intricate and powerful worldview. I don't quite know how she managed it, but the text cogently introduces concepts typically presented to beginners--such as the Four Noble Truths, the subject of Shakyamuni Buddha's very first teaching--as well as more complex ideas and ritual practices, for example visualizations and tantra. As a result, the book really is a valuable resource for those who are intrigued with the basics of Tibetan Buddhism, those who are studying it more intensively, or those who seek to introduce others to the teachings. I expect to refer to the text frequently, as one of the characteristics of dharma study/practice is that it walks a spiral path, reintroducing basic concepts at more intricate levels as you proceed. In addition, the Buddha was a prodigious list-maker--it is useful indeed to have a concise reference tool such as this. May all beings benefit from its availability.