10 Books by the Dalai Lama He Wants You to Read

I asked His Holiness which of his books he would recommend to a novice reader, and this is what he answered.

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His Holiness works to preserve, promote, and advance the Tibetan Buddhist culture of compassion and non-violence in the world. But he is also an avid reader and a prolific writer, with over 130 books he wrote or co-authored.

I don’t know about you, but 130 books to choose from is a bit too much for me, and as I explained in my article, 10 Books the Dalai Lama Reads and Recommends, after several months of constant emails I finally got in touch with the Office of His Holiness (OHHDL).

Hence, instead of randomly picking the titles myself, I used my contact to ask him directly.

Here is the list of the books that His Holiness would recommend to those interested in learning about his life, Buddhist philosophy, and other different topics.

1. Freedom in Exile

An Autobiography of H. H. the Dalai Lama

In this book, Lhamo Thondup describes how, while living a peaceful life on a small farm in the eastern part of Tibet, one day monks took him to become the XIV Dalai Lama, changing his name to Tenzin Gyatso; the 1950 Tibet’s Chinese invasion; his exile to India; and his Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

The Dalai Lama describes how the Chinese have for decades torture, rape, famine, and commit genocide of the Tibetans, as well as decimating natural and religious landscapes. He also censures the U.S. and the CIA for trying to destabilize communist governments while supporting the Tibetan independence movement.

Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of The Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama

2. The Art of Happiness

by Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama

How can a man exiled from his country and persecuted by many always seems joyful?

Every time you see the Dalai Lama, he is smiling, and if you ask him if he’s happy, he will always say, “yes, because happiness is the purpose of life.”

In this book, which started the genre of happiness books, the Dalai Lama teaches us how to defeat anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement — while riding through life’s obstacles like loss, relationships, and pursuing wealth.

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, by Dalai Lama

3. The Universe in a Single Atom

by Dalai Lama

Can science and religion coexist? Who is the real keeper of truth? Is it faith or empirical inquiry?

In this outstanding book, the Dalai Lama explained why we must seek both to have a complete picture of the truth. Analyzing Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight, neurobiology and phenomenology (the study of consciousness), he draws us to a breathtaking conclusion:

Science interprets the physical world and spirituality helps us cope with reality, but they are like yin and yang, a part of the same world and neither can exist in balance without the other.

The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality by Dalai Lama

4. The World of Tibetan Buddhism

By Dalai Lama

Who could be a better teacher for understanding Tibetan Buddhism than His Holiness the Dalai Lama?

From the Mahayana, an altruistic life for spiritual practice, and Tantric principles of the Vajrayana, this is the best introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, presented in an accessible, engaging, and friendly way. At the same time, while he answers some questions from the audience, he shows us why His Holiness is the greatest authority in the theme.

This is a must-have book for everyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism. It also includes a glossary of Buddhist terms, an excellent bibliography, and an accessible index.

The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice by Dalai Lama and Thupten Jinpa (translator)

5. Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying

A compiled and edited record from a Mind and Life conference

What can modern science and traditional Buddhism have in common regarding the transitional states of consciousness?

In this book, Francisco Varela, a well-known neuroscientist, details the dialogue between the Dalai Lama and leading Western scientists on how sleep, dreams, and death connect lucid dreaming, and near-death experiences. Furthermore, how the structure of consciousness in our brain operates while using sleep neurology or dream yoga.

Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of Consciousness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Francisco J. Varela Ph.D.

6. Healing Emotions

From a Mind and Life conference

For centuries, the Buddhist tradition says the mind can heal the body, and now Western scientists agree. This book records the third Mind and Life Conference, which gathered Buddhist teachers and Western scholars searching for a framework to find a dialogue between Buddhism and psychology; exploring stress, death, meditation, and self-compassion.

Healing Emotions: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Psychology, Meditation, and the Mind-Body Connection (Core Teachings of Dalai Lama) by The Dalai Lama, Daniel Goleman, and Sharon Salzberg.

7. New Physics

From a Mind and Life conference

During the Mind and Life conference, a historian and five physicists met with the Dalai Lama to discuss theoretical quantum physics and Buddhist philosophy. Towards an understanding of quantum reality and the science-religion interface to figure out the nature of existence.

The New Physics and Cosmology Dialogues with the Dalai Lama by Zara Houshmand Arthur Zajonc

9. Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics

Series by Dalai Lama

This series of two books bring classical Buddhist explorations of our material world and the human mind.

The first volume explores the physical world, from the micro to the macroscopic views, including topics such as the scope of reason, the nature of the material world, the atom, time, the universe, the evolution of life, and Buddhist theories on fetal development.

The second volume focuses on the science of thought, introducing Buddhist conceptions of mind and consciousness. Revealing the vision of the inner world and its relationship with contemporary disciplines such as psychology, the investigation of emotions, and philosophy.

Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics, Vol. 1: The Physical World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa, and Ian Coghlan (Translator)

Science And Philosophy In The Indian Buddhist Classic: Vol 2: The Mind by Thupten Jinpa Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa, and Ian Coghlan (Translator)

9. Towards a True Kinship of Faiths

by Dalai Lama

Today, we are all connected and know what happens worldwide, no matter where we live. News about war, climate change, nuclear weapons, and the pandemic is at our hands all the time, making us wonder how we will step into the future.

Easy access to all information also brings another problem. Now extremist groups have an easy platform to reach their followers, and since all religions try to prove they possess the only truth, peaceful coexistence is almost impossible.

In this book, His Holiness Dalai Lama explains how to move in another direction, for a deeper plane where every culture, religion, nation, and individual might connect through their shared human nature.

Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World’s Religions Can Come Together by Dalai Lama (Author)

10. The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

by The Dalai Lama

“The potential to build a more compassionate century and promote a greater sense of oneness among the whole world of humanity lies within the children of the world” — Dalai Lama

Psychologist says the best way to talk to a child is to put yourself at his eye level and deliver your message in a way they will understand. Imagine trying to teach your children about compassion.

Through this illustrated book, His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches important lessons of peace and compassion by sharing stories of his childhood when he was Lhamo Thondup, an ordinary child living in a small village in Tibet.

With simple text and colorful images, young children will relate to his story and learn how the most important lessons are around waiting for us to discover.

What better person to teach our children about compassion?

The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by The Dalai Lama and, Bao Luu (Illustrator)

Conclusion

If you ever wondered what the Dalai Lama’s book should you read first, here is an interesting list he suggests.

You will learn about him, not through the media or international news, but in his own words. From his humble beginning as a young boy in Tibet to how he became one of the most influential persons in our time.

No matter if it is about neuroscience, quantum physics, psychology, Buddhism, or compassion, you will find a book on this list. If you have already read them, congratulations, but if you have never read one of his books, now it’s a perfect time; as His Holiness the Dalai Lama says:

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.”

― Dalai Lama XIV