The Meaning of Life

Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect

By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Narrated by: Ken McLeod

Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Each of us struggles with the existential questions of meaning, purpose, and responsibility. In The Meaning of Life, the Dalai Lama examines these questions from the Buddhist perspective, skillfully guiding us to a clearer understanding which can liberate us from the prison of selfishness and suffering. The Dalai Lama bases his explanations on the Buddha's teachings of dependent arising, showing how every aspect of our suffering - unhappiness, pain, even old age and death - is ultimately rooted in our misunderstanding of our true nature.

Through detailed discussion and lively questions and answers, the teachings of The Meaning of Life address the myriad challenges we meet daily - dealing with aggression from both within and without, facing illness and helping someone who is dying, expanding our capacity to feel love for all beings, and reconciling personal responsibility with the doctrine of selflessness - all suffused with the Dalai Lama's incomparable intelligence, wit, and kindness.

©2000 by Tenzin Gyatso and Jeffrey Hopkins (P)2001 by Audio Renaissance, an Imprint of Renaissance Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Studded with jewels...[The Meaning of Life] brings together the theory of Buddhist teachings and the practice of ordinary life." (Shambhala Sun)

A LOT OF INFORMATION

This is the second book in the series written by the Dalai Lama, when he was a young man.
So amazing, for one so young, to write these books.
There is a lot of information to digest. I have the written versions of all and read/listened to them simultaneously.
It is definitely a book and for that matter, the whole series to listen to and for me to listen to again in the future.
I highly recommend this book when you are studying Buddhism.
The narrator, mr. Ken McLeod, did an excellent job.
My thanks to all involved, JK

Good Book, Poorly Abridged

I'm slightly biased because I want to rate all Dalai Lama's books 5 stars, so more people will read his teachings. In an honest rating I would say 4 or 5 stars. I found this book was more clear than some of his books (e.g. "Buddhism") and less clear than some of his books (e.g. "Ocean of Wisdom"). Ken McLeod as narrator was fantastic. It is important to have someone who understands the reading material as a narrator, and it seems that Ken McLeod understands it very well. You would hate to have someone reading such sacred words as if they're just syllables to be pronounced.

I did not like the abridgement. Audiobook publisher, why did you do this? I read the less-abridged text ("abridgement" is relative since it's just a collection of lectures, so any lectures cut out technically make it abridged), and never was there a part that was cut from the audiobook that I thought deserved to be cut. It is just illogical. Someone who wants to listen to 4.5 hours of the Dalai Lama's words on complex topics will be just as happy, or happier, if they get to listen to 5 hours of his words. It is arrogant to abridge in the way they did. To cut out some of the Dalai Lama's words from his explanations assumes that (1) the Dalai Lama was speaking unnecessary words, which is unlikely, and to ascertain that, the editor would have to know exactly what the Dalai Lama was trying to convey, and simultaneously be able to convey the Dalai Lama's words more concisely. None of these suppositions are likely. The result of the abridgement is that the listener loses clarity when trying to understand what the Dalai Lama was saying - because potentially explanatory remarks were cut out. Shame.

The content is great, Ken McLeod as narrator is great, but if there was a rating for publishing quality I would give 2 or 3 stars. Overall 4 or 5 stars.

Ignorance leads to rebirth

It is not introduction to Buddhism but an in depth analysis of rebirth and karma. The book details on how ignorance leads to other causes and effect resulting in rebirth. Rebirth can be avoided by overcoming ignorance and enlightening like Buddha. But the concept is not easy to understand. I have to read the book three or four times to get a good understanding. If you have patience, interest in spirituality and Buddhism, then the book may of interest to you.

Tough Read

I feel like a lot of this went over my head. I can't say I got nothing out of it, and perhaps listening again in the future would be beneficial

This Needed To Be Narrated by Someone Else...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to a friend because of the narrator.

Would you recommend The Meaning of Life to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend that they read either the printed or Kindle version of "The Meaning Of Life."

What didn’t you like about Ken McLeod’s performance?

I haven't finished listening to the audiobook because of the monontonic drone of his voice. Thankfully, this is an abridged version of the printed book, I fear that I would never get through it otherwise.

can't be a novice

This isn't the right book for a multi-tasker to listen to. I never could get on the same plane of thought and consequently didn't finish the book yet even though I've started it over at least 3 times since downloading it. I don't recommenend this for the light reader or novice spiritualist.

Did not find this book engaging.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Difficult to follow. Not the right book for me. Other authors flow better with their stories.

Any additional comments?

Regret buying this book.