The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism

The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace is an extended and at times slightly diffuse meditation on extending compassion to all sentient beings. The Dalai Lama teaches on death through a reflection on impermanence and the removal of suffering--the fundamental principles of Buddhism--and is remarkably blunt on our obsessions with physical self-gratification and mortal concerns, which tie us into the karmic cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Sentences such as ""When we enjoy the sexual embrace, we are clasping no more than the skeleton covered with flesh and skin"" and ""Leading a household life is like being afflicted with disease"" exemplify the book's often forceful tone. The Dalai Lama also makes pointed remarks on the political situation in Tibet as well as wry observations on his own life as a Buddhist practitioner. Although the book expects a nodding acquaintance with basic Buddhist principles, it is written clearly and free of arcane doctrinal principles. (Mar.)