The Library of Wisdom and Compassion

A comprehensive guide for learning about Buddhism or refreshing your understanding of foundational teachings. Through this multi-volume book series and in-depth video teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron share the Buddha’s teachings that they themselves practice. A definitive course on the complete path to full awakening.

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Series overview

Venerable Chodron summarizes the first nine volumes in this  interview with LA Yoga: His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet and Venerable Thubten Chodron; Two Truths

A student expresses her appreciation:  I want to express my deep heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron and all the Sravasti Abbey Monastics who have supported her to produce this amazing series of books. I have always wanted to delve deeply into many Buddhist subjects but simply found a lot of the traditional buddhist books very difficult to read or comprehend. Thanks to the “Library of Wisdom and Compassion,” it has provided an important bridge so that I can begin to understand these subjects better and then use it as a stepping stone to access more traditional texts and books. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  ~ Demi Kehoe, Brisbane, Australia

Book cover of Appearing and Empty

Appearing and Empty

In this third and final volume on emptiness, the authors impart the Prasangika view of the ultimate nature of reality – selflessness of both persons and phenomena – and provide the means to eliminate our own and others’ duhkha.

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Book cover of Realizing the Profound View

Realizing the Profound View

This 8th volume in The Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, the second of three focusing on emptiness, presents the analysis and meditations necessary to realize the ultimate nature of reality.

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Book cover of Searching for the Self

Searching for the Self

Volume 7 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion explores emptiness and leads us to delve deeply into the topic of the ultimate nature of reality, presenting it from a variety of approaches.

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Book cover of Courageous Compassion

Courageous Compassion

The 6th book in the multi-volume collection and the 2nd devoted to compassion. Courageous Compassion shows us how to embody compassion and wisdom in our daily lives.

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Book cover of In Praise of Great Compassion

In Praise of Great Compassion

Volume 5 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion takes us beyond our present situation and guides us toward opening our hearts and generating the intention to make our lives meaningful by benefiting others.

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Book cover of Following in the Buddhas Footsteps

Following in the Buddha’s Footsteps

Volume 4 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion delves into the core of Buddhist practice: the Three Jewels and the three higher trainings of ethical conduct, concentration and wisdom.

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Book cover of Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Volume 3 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion addresses the unsatisfactory nature of samsara, what it means to renounce our present predicament, and how the mind is the basis for both the problems of samsara and the peace of nirvana.

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Book cover of Foundation of Buddhist Practice

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice

Volume 2 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion describes the bedrock of Buddhist practice — essential topics that help us to stay focused on what is essential as we establish a flourishing Dharma practice.

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Book cover of Approaching the Buddhist Path

Approaching the Buddhist Path

Volume 1 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion introduces material that sets the context for Buddhist practice: the universal human wish for happiness and the dynamic nature of the mind.

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