Gems of Wisdom from the Seventh Dalai Lama (Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy)

This book is truly full of gems, each replete with Wisdom. This is a translation of a concise work by the 7th Dalai Lama (1708-1757). After a brief invocation, the work consists of 108 stanzas, each in the form of a metaphorical question (sometime quite colorful) and an answer. For example: "#28 What is the body odor/ easy to acquire by hard to lose?/ Habits picked up from people/ whose lives are far from spiritual ways." In this question and answer form, the 7th Dalai Lama covers all the basics of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Mullin's translation has one stanza on a page, followed by a thoughtful commentary, including explanation of the more obscure metaphors. The book can be read in a few ways. One can easily read through the 108 stanza in a single sitting, glancing down occasionally at the commentary to shed light on an arcane reference. On a first reading, that mode may be preferable to reading every word on every page, because it quickly gives a sense of the whole. Any single stanza, with or without accompanying commentary, makes an excellent inspirational reading before meditation or before retiring to sleep. Opening this book to a random page would be an excellent form of "dharma divination." Because of the brevity of the root text and the brilliance of Mullin's organization of the book as a whole, this is a book that can read in a variety of ways, over and over again. Mullin has done a truly spectacular job of making this timeless wisdom so readily accessible to the modern reader. Furthermore, Mullin's detailed introduction gives a brief but clear synopsis of the role of the first seven Dalai Lamas in Tibetan history. I cannot praise Mullin's work on this book highly enough. I would enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone at any stage of any spiritual path.

Glenn H. Mullin's Gems Of Wisdom From The Seventh Dalai Lama uses simple language to consider the teachings of the Buddha and the process of individual transformation. The Dalai Lama's insights are gathered in chapters which not only interpret sayings, but provide examples of their settings.