The Beginner's Guide to Karma - by Lama Lhanang Rinpoche & Mordy Levine (Paperback)

About the Book

"In The Beginner's Guide to Karma, two practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism unravel the complexities of karma, an idea widely known but little understood in the modern West"--

Book Synopsis

Twenty-six centuries ago, the Buddha fleshed out the universal law of the spiritual realm: karma, which holds that our actions, our words, and even our thoughts inevitably produce effects that return to us in some form -- in this lifetime or a future one. In The Beginner's Guide to Karma, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Mordy Levine encourage readers to forget what they've heard about karma and look at the subject afresh. Delving into Buddhist scripture and tradition, the authors give a comprehensive overview that incorporates psychology, ethics, and metaphysics. Using everyday language and real-life examples, they clear away myths, illustrate how karma works in daily life, and offer practices to build positive karma. The Beginner's Guide to Karma neatly sums up the Buddhist worldview and makes a compelling case for a way of being that nurtures compassion, joy, and inner peace in an uncertain world.

Review Quotes

"The book's short chapters allow for a quick read, but readers can also elect to take their time by using the end-of-chapter exercises to focus on inner peace and building good karma. To that end, the authors include useful meditations, examples of virtuous and nonvirtuous acts, and visualizations in appendices. A short but detailed introduction that may inspire readers to set out on a karmic journey."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"Karma is an important philosophical principle that describes how the complex nature of cause and effect works as the engine of life. It is also a household word embraced by popular culture. The Beginner's Guide to Karma succinctly explains karma in language that is clear and practical. It will help everyone understand this ancient wisdom and how to apply it to bring more positivity to their life."
-- Anam Thubten, author of The Magic of Awareness and No Self, No Problem

"A clear and simple introduction to karma -- how it works and what we can do to manage it more effectively. The authors unpack the dynamics around karma in an accessible, practical way."
-- David Michie, author of Instant Karma: The Day It Happened

"Readers are given advice about how to improve their Karma and practice habits that reduce negative behaviors. . . . Readers seeking an elementary understanding of Karma will benefit from this book."
-- Library Journal

"What goes around comes around -- this essential idea of karma dates back to the Hindu Upanishads and is an important facet of many of the world's most ancient religions. However, according to Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Mordy Levine, it was the Buddha who introduced a less mechanistic understanding of karma. Their book explores the Buddhist interpretation, highlighting subtleties, such as the difference between light versus heavy karma."
-- Lion's Roar

About the Author

Born in the Amdo region of historic Tibet, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche received a traditional monastic education and later studied under several respected lamas. Today, he teaches Vajrayana Buddhism at the Jigme Lingpa Center in San Diego, California, where he lives with his wife and child.

Mordy Levine is an entrepreneur, a meditation teacher, and the president of the Jigme Lingpa Center.