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ALEXANDER BERZIN
BOOKS
Below each title Alex tells us about the book and why he decided to write it....
- Developing
Balanced Sensitivity
Although the
Dharma contains innumerable methods for dealing with and overcoming problems
and suffering, it is not obvious, from the traditional language and manner of
presentation, how to apply them to daily life, particularly in a modern
Western context. The traditional Asian Buddhist languages lack words that
correspond to our most basic emotional problems, such as insensitivity,
hypersensitivity, insecurity, low self-esteem, alienation from our feelings,
and the inability to say no. Drawing upon elements from various Tibetan
Buddhist traditions, I devised a training course of practical exercises and
wrote this book to help both Dharma practitioners and people without a
Buddhist background to apply the Dharma to these common problems.
- Gelug/Kagyu
Tradition of Mahamudra
HH the Dalai Lama has unequaled breadth and depth to
explain clearly the most sophisticated topics in Tibetan Buddhism and to place them in the
context of its varied traditions. Having orally translated HH's teachings on Mahamudra, I
realized how full his explanations were and what a small percentage of that can ever be
translated orally. With the wish to translate every word that HH said and to convey his full
meaning in clear and precise language, I prepared this book to make HH's wisdom more accessible
to all.
- Kalachakra
and Other Six-session Yoga Texts
One of the commitments from receiving the
Kalachakra initiation is to recite and meditate on the six-session yoga practice six times daily
for the rest of one's life. I prepared this new translation of the four different-length
versions of the text in an attempt to make them available in easily understandable language that
both preserves accuracy and flows easily when recited.
- Relating to a
Spiritual Teacher
Although the
Buddhist traditions emphasize the importance of relying on a spiritual mentor,
many Western seekers have experienced difficulties in their relationships with
both Asian and Western teachers. Sometimes, misunderstanding has arisen due to
cultural differences. Often, the confusion has been compounded by
misinterpretation of the Tibetan Buddhist teaching to see the spiritual mentor
as a Buddha, particularly in tantra. Consequently, students have either
deified their teachers into infallible masters or demonized them when they
have discovered abuse. I wrote this book to help clarify the confusing issues
and to help students to establish a healthy relationship with a spiritual
teacher that accords with their own and the teacher's levels of qualification,
so that they might derive the most benefit.
- Taking the
Kalachakra Initiation
Having translated at several Kalachakra initiations
HH the Dalai Lama has conferred and, with his permission, given explanations before, during, and
after the ceremony, I had a good idea of the questions that many people had. I asked many of
them personally to HH and decided to write this book to share his answers and his advice
concerning how best to prepare for receiving the initiation. Since the majority who attend come
as observers, not yet ready to take the vows and commitments, I particularly wished to indicate
levels at which they could participate and how they could benefit more fully from the
experience.
BIOGRAPHY
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Alexander Berzin, born 1944 in Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.A., received
his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1972 from the Departments of Far
Eastern Languages and Sanskrit and Indian Studies, specializing in Tibet.
From 1969 to 1998, he resided in India, where he studied and practiced
with masters from all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. His main
teacher was Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpochey, the late Master Debate Partner and
Assistant Tutor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He served as his interpreter and secretary for nine years, accompanying
him on several world tours. He has also served as occasional Dharma
interpreter for HH the Dalai Lama.
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He was a founding member of the Translation Bureau of the
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India, and is the
translator and author of numerous books and articles on Tibetan Buddhism. Since
1983, he has been traveling around the world, teaching various aspects of
Buddhist practice and theory at Dharma centers and universities in more than
seventy countries. His travels have focused primarily on the former communist
world, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. There, he has also served as liaison for various programs related to Tibetan culture and medicine. He currently resides in Berlin, Germany, where he continues to write and teach.
For more information, visit www.berzinarchives.com.
SCHEDULE
CONTINUING WEEKLY COURSES
The Bodhisattvacaryavatara of Shantideva, chapter 9 on Discriminating Awareness (Wisdom)
Time: Every Tuesday, 7 to 9 P.M.
Place: Buddhistische Gesellschaft Berlin, Wulffstr.6, 12165 Berlin, Germany.
Contact: DrNoack@aol.com
Training Course in Developing Balanced Sensitivity
Time: Every Monday, 7 - 9 P.M.
Place: Swinemünderstr. 14 (bei S. Frosch), 10435 Berlin, Germany.
Contact: gotama@web.de
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