Buddhism in a Nutshell: Essentials for Practice and Study
By Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, & Ven. Amy Miller

This book combines well-chosen essential teachings by the Tibetan masters Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche supplemented with teachings by American nun, Ven. Amy Miller to provide a wonderful overview of many of the key points of the path to enlightenment (lamrim).

The book covers the following topics:

• What is Buddhism?
• Who was the Buddha?
• What is Dharma?
• What is Buddhist Refuge?
• The Fundamentals of Karma
• What are the Four Noble Truths?
• What is Meditation?
• Understanding the Mind
• Understanding the Teachings
• The Importance of a Qualified Teacher
• What is the Purpose of Life?
• Death and Impermanence
• What is Renunciation?
• How to Serve Others
• What is Emptiness?
• Introducing Tantra
• Advice for Bringing These Teachings into Your Daily Life
• How to Dedicate Your Virtue

Each of these sections in the book concludes with a meditation on the subject.

The companion MP3 CD contains 11 hours of clear and accessible teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Amy Miller. These teachings are intended for people encountering Buddhism for the first time, as well as for people who are already familiar with Buddha’s teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the whole path to enlightenment. They cover the life of Shakyamuni Buddha,the four noble truths, and the stages of the path to enlightenment (lamrim) based on an explanation of the short poem Foundation of All Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa. The teachings are supplemented by five guided meditations: scanning the body, counting the breaths, clarity of consciousness, mind as a knower, and a visualization of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Together the book and CD provide a comprehensive overview of Buddhism as taught and practiced in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa (Gelug).

The teachings byLama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche are a must-read for all of their disciples.

Paperback, 2010 edition,243 pages.

Buddhism in a Nutshell Online: Buddhism in a Nutshell is also available as an online program. This FPMT introductory course consists of the same recordings of teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Amy Miller as found in the CD that accompanies this book. However, the online version also includes transcripts of her teachings and meditations together with other online resources. Points for reflection are provided to help course participants think about the teachings in relation to their own lives. A discussion forum allows course participants to interact with each other and the course elder. A Certificate of Achievement is available to participants who fulfill all the course requirements.