Tibetan Buddhism: With Its Mystic Cults, Symbolism and Mythology, and in Its Relation to Indian Buddhism

"The late L.A. Waddell was an almost unique authority on hidden Tibet. Stationed for years with the Indian Army at Darjeeling, just over the border from Tibet (which Europeans were forbidden to enter), he systematically studied the language and culture of Tibet with the most authoritative lamaistic scholars. Several times he risked his life by entering Tibet in disguise. During the Younghusband invasion of 1905 he was what amounted to cultural expert for the expedition. With the possible exception of Sir Charles Bell, Waddell was the authority par excellence on Tibet. Waddell's book is an extremely thorough, extremely detailed survey of all aspects of Tibetan religion, both Redcap and Yellowcap sects, as well as the non-Buddhist Bönpa. It begins with a summary of early Buddhism, emphasizing the changes in it that eventually led to the Tibetan form. Is discusses the doctrinal and ritual aspects of the religion, the metaphysical aspects of the doctrine and the vast literature (some 108 volumes of Canon and 227 volumes of commentary). It reviews the history of Lamaism from its first emergence in Tibet, the lives of the great saints, the rise of the Dalai Lama, the importance of other divine incarnations, the importance of monasteries, monastic discipline, and the enormous pantheon of gods, demigods and demons. Popular religion is also considered, including sorcery, folk practices and divination, and related areas like astrology. No other book contains so much specific, basic detail, with the result that Waddell's work will probably never be superseded. It abounds with translations of Indian and Tibetan documents and texts, summaries of important works, annotated pictorial representations and a wealth of data that will always be invaluable to the historian of religion, orientalist, or reader interested in the remarkable religious experience of Tibet." -- Publisher's description