"One of the most revered spiritual figures of our time-His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, widely recognized as a paragon of wisdom and compassion-tells the story of his life in an intimate timeless voice accessible to readers of all ages. Featuring stunning illustrations by world-renowned artist Rima Fujita, this book will take you on a mystical journey you won't soon forget"--

This biography of the Dalai Lama--blessed by His Holiness himself--is the most authentic and intimate profile of the world's greatest living spiritual figure. Tenzin Geyche Tethong, a close aide of His Holiness for forty years who became family, offers readers unprecedented access to the Dalai Lama in this beautifully illustrated book. The Dalai Lama's youngest brother, Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal, who was only 12 years old when he accompanied His Holiness on his dangerous 1959 escape to India, is a personal friend of Tethong and the mentor for this book project. As "elders" to the Tibetan community in exile, these men have come together to tell the true story of His Holiness--their brother, friend, and leader. Featuring previously unpublished photographs, as well as interviews and memories of those closest to him, this book renders unparalleled insights into the Dalai Lama's experiences as the preeminent leader of Tibet, and the wealth of his compassion and gentle humor in the face of the ongoing conflict. This is in no small part due to Tethong and Ngari Rinpoche's unique perspectives on many sensitive issues. Richly compelling, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography is a stunning visual celebration of the Dalai Lama, sketching a memorable portrait of an icon and a cause that have won the attention and hearts of billions across the world. * As his long-time personal secretary, Tethong was privy to the Dalai Lama's difficult relationship with India during his exile, with many challenges arising from his host country's ambivalence to Tibet. Tethong candidly discusses India's lackluster attempts at uplifting his people--denying them official documentation, restricting employment, and crowding refugees in the remote location of Dharmsala--citing its fear of angering China as the reason behind its ambivalence towards Tibet. * Ngari Rinpoche revisits his own profound memory of their exile: his time in the Special Frontier Force, or the "22" of the Indian Army, a period of his life for which there had previously been little recorded information. Ngari Rinpoche and his wife, Rinchen Khando, were one of the many Tibetans who joined this covert force with the intent of fighting the Chinese, under the guidance of intelligence agencies such as India's RAW and the American CIA. For the very first time, they discuss their American colleagues, the disappointments they faced as part of the "22," and the experiences that led to Ngari Rinpoche's depressive episode. * Tethong also sheds much-needed light on the Dalai Lama's Nobel Prize-winning campaign for the spiritual and political liberation of his people. He adopts a nuanced approach towards the Dalai Lama's non-violent struggle for Tibetan autonomy, writing frankly about their attempts to mediate the political differences between younger Tibetans in Dharmsala and the Tibetan administration. He also explores the numerous political difficulties faced by the Dalai Lama's cause in the years before its worldwide recognition.

"The first volume of The Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Stages of the Path is a fairly detailed explanation of general points related to Buddhist concepts. It includes an introduction for today's Buddhists on the important and fundamental points of the philosophical tenets of Śākyamuni Buddha, explanations on the reality of base existence presented by Buddhism and modern science, and ways to integrate the essence of Buddhism into daily life"--

In His Holiness, award-winning photographer Raghu Rai has captured the Dalai Lama’s journey in India since exile from Tibet in 1959. Rai presents an intimate photographic portrayal of the life of one of the most popular twentieth-century spiritual leaders. Since the fourteenth Dalai Lama’s forced exile from Tibet in 1959, Raghu Rai, one of the world’s most famous photographers, has documented his life in India. Now leading Tibetan Buddhists from afar, His Holiness is respected around the world as a pillar of peace and moral strength while he remains separated from his country. Enhanced by historical commentary and archival photos of the Dalai Lama and Tibet, Rai’s work follows the spiritual leader’s journey from exile through his present worldwide influence in a stunning and intimate photo series. Born to a peasant family in 1935, Lhamo Thondup was recognized at age two as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and became the temporal leader of Tibet at age fifteen. In 1959, he was forced into exile in India after the Chinese military occupation of Tibet. Since 1960, he has resided in Dharamsala, aptly known as “Little Lhasa,” the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Award-wining photographer Raghu Rai has spent over four decades charting the changing face of India. Photographing subjects from Indira Gandhi and Mother Teresa to the victims of Bhopal, he is one of the most prominent and well-known visual chroniclers of the country. In His Holiness, Raghu Rai has captured the journey of the Dalai Lama in India, presenting an intimate photographic portrayal of the life of one of the most popular twentieth-century spiritual leaders, the Dalai Lama.

This beloved classic brings together in one volume all the major themes of the Dalai Lama's teachings such as religious values, the four noble truths, karma, compassion, and meditation. Drawn from the lectures he gave during his first three visits to North America, the book covers the core subject matter of Tibetan Buddhism, as presented for the first time to an English-speaking audience. The chapters are arranged developmentally from simple to complex topics, which include the luminous nature of the mind, the four noble truths, karma, the common goals of the world's religions, meditation, deities, and selflessness. Central to all these teachings is the necessity of compassion--which the Dalai Lama says is "the essence of religion" and "the most precious thing there is."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is loved and respected world-wide as a man of peace. As spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, he has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of great aggression -an approach that in 1989 won him the coveted Nobel Peace Prize. In lectures and tours around the world he has touched people’s hearts, transcending religious, national and political barriers by the simplicity, profundity and great-heartedness of his message – that of universal responsibility and great compassion. In this small booklet he explains with utter clarity and reasoning why compassion is so inseparable from our human nature and how at any moment we can tap into and develop this birthright.

Essential Teachings presents the first English translation of a series of talks given in 1974 by the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya, India—the site of the Buddha's enlightenment—to a gathering of Tibetan refugees and Western Buddhists. His precise and eloquent commentary on the "Path of the Bodhisattva," one of the most important teaching texts of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, offers a step-by-step guide to thirty-seven practices designed to help cultivate the spirit of compassion for all life and service to others that is at the heart of Buddhism.