In the Precious Garland, the great Buddhist master Nagarjuna shares profound insights on living wisely and creating a compassionate society. His teachings move from practical guidance for personal wellbeing across multiple lifetimes to the ultimate goal of complete liberation from suffering through Buddhahood.

Nagarjuna maps out how happiness unfolds in everyday life through cause and effect, while weaving in deeper practices of wisdom, understanding emptiness, and cultivating compassion – the essential path to enlightenment. He paints an inspiring picture of a Buddha's qualities, offering encouragement about the transformative power of dedicated practice.

His advice extends beyond individual practice to social policy, emphasizing universal education and compassionate care for all beings. He takes a strong stance against the death penalty and advises against appointing leaders motivated by personal gain or fame, warning that selfish leadership inevitably brings misfortune.

The text includes a thorough exploration of our attachment to sensual pleasures, using this understanding as a gateway to profound truth. When this truth is fully realized, such attachments naturally fall away.

BOOK REVIEW
"Hopkins has done a magnificent job of translating Nagarjuna's Precious Garland, making it even more accessible by describing Nagarjuna's life and the themes of his text. Perfect Buddhist advice for living and liberation indeed."—Mandala Magazine