Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

In the third volume of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, the Dalai Lama and American Buddhist nun Chodron analyze three key Buddhist concepts: samsara, nirvana, and buddha nature. Whereas the first two volumes provided general overviews of the Buddhist path and the relationship between a meaningful life and karma, this installment dives deep into conceptual delusions, fortunate and unfortunate rebirths, and the practices and realizations that can break practitioners out of the cycle of suffering. Motivating the discussion is the question, “Who revolves in cyclic existence and who is liberated?” The authors enter into this discussion by first examining the self, which leads to intensive explorations about the four noble truths, the nature of duhkha (individual suffering), the 12 links of dependent origination, and the relationship between conceptual distortions and truth realizations. Reflection prompts follow many of the sections, asking readers to consider how the teachings relate to their lives theoretically and practically. Newcomers may find this entry too dense, but experienced practitioners and readers of the series will find this difficult book illuminating and fully worth the effort. (Jan.)