In Praise of Great Compassion

Book Description

In Praise of Great Compassion invites readers to embark on a profound journey from self-focused awareness to boundless care for all beings. As the fifth volume in the Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, this work presents the Dalai Lama's teachings on what Buddhist tradition considers the very heart of spiritual practice.

The book guides readers through a transformative shift in perspective, moving beyond individual concerns toward opening the heart to others. Through systematic exploration of the four immeasurables—love, compassion, empathic joy, and equanimity—readers discover how to cultivate genuine care that extends beyond personal boundaries. Drawing from both Pali and Sanskrit Buddhist traditions, the teachings illuminate the development of bodhicitta, the altruistic intention to achieve awakening for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Readers will encounter wisdom from classical Buddhist texts, including insights from Candrakirti's influential work, as they learn to generate authentic aspiration for universal benefit. The book provides practical guidance for adopting the bodhisattva ethical framework, offering a structured approach to compassionate living.

The final section introduces mind training practices from Tibetan Buddhism that challenge conventional thinking patterns. These techniques help readers recognize the futility of self-centered attitudes while developing resilience and balance amid life's inevitable ups and downs. By reframing how we perceive circumstances, these practices transform ordinary experiences into opportunities for spiritual growth, preparing the foundation for the advanced teachings on the ten perfections that follow in the subsequent volume.