DHARMA READING Corner

Whatever dharma books we like to refer to should be from great enlighten beings and from my personal point of view, these books should be from proper unbroken lineage, unstained with broken samayas with the gurus, not too much exaggeration and not too much self comment, rather refer to the root enlightened great masters. This is because the purpose for us to read dharma books is for us to gain proper knowledge which is the unmistaken advice on the stages of the path such as in sutra and tantra. Even though we commemorate the hundreds and thousands of dharma books available for reference, in my opinion one should not refer based on one’s own assumption that it is easy and sounds supportive in one’s way of thinking, rather even though it looks very deep, profound and may face some difficulties in root text of enlightenment beings, there are greater benefits to explore the beneath and valid meaning of the teachings. So that is in general but in today’s language, the most relevant and most complete thing that relates to our lifestyle with deep and complete understanding on the whole stages of the path is to refer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s books. Although there are many different writers and publishers out there, I will always recommend people His Holiness’s books as they are safe and easy to relate. His Holiness’s books are well polished from every expect in particularly his advise and teachings and one is able to apply into one’s daily practice without any doubt. His Holiness’s books are also available and easily found world wide with topics covering study on stages of the path such as renunciation, bodhicitta, emptiness, loving kindness compassion, six perfections, understanding one’s mind, various methods of meditation, samadhi (single pointed concentration), karma abiding, different methods on mind transformation, different stages on tantric meditation, ground and paths, four noble truths , life and rebirth, cause and effect, twelve dependent origination, heart sutra, etc.

I am happy to share with everyone some of my personal book collections and I will continue to do so from time to time. I am certain these books will be able to benefit everyone from all levels.

AN OPEN HEART by The Dalai Lama

About this book - Compassion – sympathy for the suffering of others and the desire to free from it – is wrested with in all spiritual traditions. Yet how does one actually become a compassionate person? What are the mechanisms by which a selfish heart is transformed into a generous heart? An Open Heart is a clear and simple introduction to the Buddhist path of enlightenment, by its greatest teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Contents

The Desire For Happiness

Meditation, A Beginning

The Material and Immaterial World

Karma

The Afflictions

The Vast and the Profound: Two Aspects of the Path

Compassion

Meditation on emptiness

Cultivating Equanimity

Bodhicitta

Calm Abiding

The Nine Stages of Calm Abiding Meditation

Wisdom

Buddhahood