His Holiness, the Dalai Lama presents a collection of thoughts, wisdom, and meditation on a wide range of contemporary social issues, including human rights, AIDS, ethics, Tibet's struggle for freedom, and the link between science and spirituality. You do not have to be Buddhist or even religious at all to gain a lot of insight from Beyond Dogma. As the title of the book implies, he really is the prime example of tolerance. He suggests it might be better for some people not to get stuck up on ceremonies or tradition and focus on what is important instead. Most religions at the heart are found on kindness, generosity, and humility. In fact, he speaks of several priests who took Buddhist vows but remained Christians because in essence, these virtues do not conflict. So he reaches out to people of all backgrounds. Part of this tolerance is because much of Buddhism does not require the same leaps of faith as other religions. You can reason through most of his discussions; you do not have to immerse yourself in scripture to understand what he says. He describes Buddhism as the Middle Way - between faith-based religion and secular philosophy - making it accessible to everyone.

Beyond Dogma, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Paperback, 244 pages, North Atlantic Books, $14.95

The 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6, 1935 to a peasant family in Northeastern Tibet, was recognized as the reincarnation of the spiritual and temporal leader of his nation at the age of two and officially enthroned on February 22, 1940. He served as the leader of Tibet until 1959, when he and 100,000 followers fled the country following a revolt against the Communist Chinese forces that had occupied Tibet for almost a decade. Since that time, the Dalai Lama has met with world leaders and U. N. officials and traveled the world in a tireless effort to free his country. Although he remains in exile, living in India, he was rewarded for his efforts in 1989, when he received the Nobel Peace Prize. He accepted the award in the name of oppressed people everywhere. The Dalai Lama, spiritual & political leader of the Tibetan people & a Nobel Peace Laureate, has in the last decade become a global spiritual leader whose message of universal & individual responsibility has won worldwide acclaim.