This anthology reflects the different stages of the spiritual journey in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, as told through a dynamic selection of teachings from the great masters of all times. Best-selling author Matthieu Ricard was inspired to put together this compilation by a meeting he had with the Tibetan spiritual master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who told the author, 'When one realizes the depth of view of the various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and we see also that they all lead to the same goal without contradicting each other, we see that only ignorance can lead us to adopt a sectarian view.' With that in mind, Ricard has gathered pith teachings from the masters of all times and traditions to illuminate the path: the view, meditation, and action. The book is broken into four sections:    Turning the mind to the path     The foundations of the practice    The path    Removing obstacles Each of these is broken down into partsfor example, taking refuge, the six perfections, deepening the practiceas taught by a vast array of meditation masters from every tradition.

Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas thirty-seven years ago. He is a best-selling author, translator, and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives in Nepal and dedicates much of his time to humanitarian projects in the Himalayas. His many books include "Why Meditate?", "Working with Thoughts and Emotions", "Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill", and "The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet."

Contents: On the Path to Enlightenment: Heart Advice from the Great Tibetan Masters by Matthieu Ricard
Preface	xi
Introduction	1
PART ONE: TURNING THE MIND TO THE SPIRITUAL PATH
1. The Value of Human Existence	9
2. Reflections on Impermanence and Death	19
3. From Seed to Fruit, or the Law of Cause and Effect	31
4. The Inherent Unsatisfactoriness of the World Conditioned by Ignorance	37
5. Giving Up the Causes of Suffering	45
PART TWO: THE FOUNDATIONS OF PRACTICE
6. Taking Refuge	73
7. Altruistic Love and Compassion	77
8. The Six Perfections or Transcendent Virtues	105
9. Purifying Obscuration and Acquiring Merit	131
10. The Spiritual Master	143
PART THREE: THE MAIN PATH
11. Understanding the Nature of the Mind	159
12. The Hermit	179
13. Deepening Spiritual Practice	189
14. View, Meditation, and Action	195
PART FOUR: REMOVING OBSTACLES AND MAKING PROGRESS IN THE PRACTICE
15. Exposing Faults	225
16. Overcoming Inner Demons	259
Appendix: The Eight Great Chariots of the Accomplishment Lineage in Tibetan Buddhism	265
Sources	271
Bibliography	283
Biographical Notes	291