The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice

In his foreword to The World of Tibetan Buddhism, actor Richard Gere describes the Dalai Lama as ``universally respected as one of our greatest spiritual friends.'' The implied sentiment of equality and ease is appropriate for this manual by His Holiness, who here continues his loving attack on the West through publishing. A guidebook, this fluid translation by Geshe Thupten Jinpa of talks given by the Dalai Lama in London in 1988 is suitable for beginners in, as well as more advanced practitioners of, the Buddhist way, for it discusses general Buddhism as well as the esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism of Tibet. Of interest and also useful to any reader is the central section, ``An Altruistic Outlook and Way of Life,'' in which the benefits of the Dalai Lama's clear mind are in abundance. Just before the glossary and bibliography at the end of this substantive textbook, His Holiness closes his remarks on the specifics of daily practice with typical simplicity: ``This is the way: try, try, try!! Then, over time, there is hope.'' (Mar.)