This is the perfect gift for family and friends who wish to understand one’s engagement with Buddhism.

Thubten Chodron combines several decades of traditional training in Tibetan Buddhism with western psychotherapeutic relevance. Her presentation of Buddhism always addresses the personal issues of life such as afflictive emotions and relationship issues. In his introduction, the Dalai Lama says, “This book is written for people wanting to understand basic Buddhist principles and how to integrate them into their lives... It will be of much benefit to its readers.” That quality of integration is where the Venerable Thubten Chodron is such a powerful writer and teacher.

Buddhism for Beginners is presented in question-and-answer format. The many questions—covering a wide range of life concerns—are relevant to anyone interested in spiritual life and the short answers do not require previous knowledge of Buddhism to understand. Even for long-time Buddhist practitioners, she always provides a down-to-earth, immediately realizable application of Buddhist philosophy and psychology.

Many people suffer from guilt and self-blame. What can be done about this?

Guilt and self-hatred are appropriate neither when something is our responsibility nor when it isn’t. We need to clearly examine what is our responsibility—what we have power over—and what we do not... From the Buddhist viewpoint, guilt is a disturbing attitude: it does not see the situation clearly and is a form of self-centeredness. Emotionally beating up on ourselves does not alter the past or develop our potential. It only immobilizes us and makes us spiral downward into self-preoccupation. On the other hand, if we have confidence in our ability to improve because we know we have the potential to come fully enlightened, we will regret our mistakes and act to remedy the negative effects of our actions.

Also by Thubten Chodron are Blossoms of the Dharma and Open Heart, Clear Mind.