Answers Discussions with Western Buddhists

by Dalai Lama; Cabezon, Jose Ignacio

• ISBN13: 9781559391627
• ISBN10: 1559391626
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-28
• Publisher: Snow Lion

Summary

In these lively exchanges the Dalai Lama exhibits clear and penetrating insight into issues that are most important to Western students.

Author Biography

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is considered the foremost Buddhist leader of our time. The exiled spiritual head of the Tibetan people, he is a Nobel Peace Laureate, a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, and a remarkable teacher and scholar who has authored over one hundred books.

Table of Contents

Editor's Introduction	7	(11)
The First Discussion	11	(28)
Integration of Christianity and Buddhism
Buddhism and the idea of a creator-god
what does inherent existence mean
does Western physics contradict some Buddhist teachings
space
elementary particles
imagination
existence
images
general advice to practitioners
The Second Discussion	39	(12)
Dealing with an unsympathetic environment
reconciling emptiness with the fact that objects perform functions
compassion and disciplining people who harm others
vipasyana in sutra and tantra
when is ordination appropriate
meditative stabilizaion
what religion shall one practice --- suitability of various religions
The Third Discussion	51	(14)
Buddhism --- its essence vs. its cultural form
the power of holy places
the inner guru
the individuality of consciousness remains at Buddhahood
nuclear disarmament and world peace
wearing monks' robes in the West
The Fourth Discussion	65	(22)
Does Buddha exist apart from our mind
analysis of merit --- motivation and object
cessation of concepts and dualistic appearance
why consciousness is not the person
a disciple's attitude toward the guru
efficacy of tantric meditation techniques
relation to non-Buddhist family and friends
flexibility in taking precepts
dharma practice in society vs. retreat
the nature of consciousness
The Fifth Discussion	87
Guru devotion
the three kinds of suffering
benefits of ordination
emptiness in the schools of Tibetan Buddhism
enhancing a vipasyana practice
investigation into the nature of the mind
significance of the Kalacakra initiation
types of protector deities
Westerners visiting Tibet
karma and poverty
Native Americans compared to Tibetans
Bodhgaya