Transforming Problems Into the Dharma Path

The book opens with acknowledgements, dedication, a brief biographical note on Thubten Gyatso, and a description of his teaching style as modern, practical, and focused on transforming daily fears and problems into spiritual opportunities. The main body is organized around Dharma talks given on 24 August 1997, 31 August 1997, and 7 September 1997. The first teaching begins by explaining the pure nature of mind, the causes of unhappiness, the distinction between body and mind, the six types of consciousness, analytic and concentration meditation, and the Four Noble Truths. It then discusses Buddha-nature, impermanence, inner growth, loving-kindness, compassion, wisdom, and the need to put teachings into actual practice. Later sections address how attachment arises, how self-centered attachment damages relationships, how to abandon self-cherishing, how to deal with anger, how to help others without imposing Dharma on them, how to pray for others, how to respond to missionaries, how karma affects lifespan, and how to manage harmful relationships or physical danger. The text concludes with institutional information about Amitabha Buddhist Centre and a section on the merits of producing Buddhist teachings and Buddha images.