This is the first-ever series of in-depth dialogues with the current Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Samdhong Rinpoche, presenting his views on the plight of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism in the face of the communist Chinese invasion.

This book consists of a series of talks given to a group of international students at The School of the Wisdom at the Theosophical Society headquarters in Chennai, India. The sheer simplicity and unimposing nature of Tibetan Buddhist meditation can be truly experienced with the words and expressions of this much admired scholar. From the concepts of Samatha and Vipassana to the Noble Eightfold Path; from the objects and methods of concentration to the totality of perception-it succinctly and beautifully captures the entire gamut of the principles of Buddhist meditation. Sharp and perceptive at the same time, it makes us think, prod, ask questions and find our own answers. Stemming from the author's own deep experiences of meditation, these pages strike a chord with the reader enabling him to touch an unexplored realm within.

Former Kalon Tripa Ve. Samdhong Rinpoche's address at Suja TCV School on the issue of Dholgyal (Shugden).

Collection of speeches and writings of Samdhong Rinpoche on Tibetan education and political and social views.

Contributed articles predominantly on various aspects of Buddhist doctrines, Tibetan education, and culture; includes brief biography of Prof. S. Rinpoche, educator, administrator, and politicians.

I am not an expert on Buddhist meditation. If one does not himself know how to sing, how can he teach another? However, let us attempt to come to some understanding of the subject. Let us begin by considering two basic questions: What is meditation? Why do we meditate? A sensible man takes on an assignment only after proper consideration of the means and the likely outcome. To start something without this does not seem to be wise. It is true that people are intelligent enough without meditation. Science has developed beyond our expectations without meditation; the computer operates much more rapidly without meditation than the human brain that built it. Why then should we concern ourselves with it? Our innumerable births have already heavily conditioned our minds; surely they do not need further conditioning even through meditation! Why are so many people nowadays eager to meditate? And what is the result of meditation? People have meditated for years and yet they seem to be as human and miserable as those who have not. It is not my purpose to discourage you from meditation, but I mention this in order to draw your attention to this fact so that you may think about it yourself. For if you find meditation a useless exercise, it is better to do something else.