Beginning with an introduction to the life of Buddha, Geshe Kelsang then explains the central principles behind the Buddhist way of life and what it means to be a Buddhist. He introduces the reader to subjects such as karma, reincarnation, and cyclic existence, all the while showing how we can apply these teachings to our everyday life. Meditation is explained simply, while more complex subjects such as the path to liberation and emptiness are also presented in an accessible way.