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 No other book contains so much specific, basic detail, with the result that Waddell's work will probably never be superseded.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 |
From inside the book
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Page 10
... called " Northern " and " Southern " Schools was the theistic Mahāyāna doctrine , which substituted for the agnostic ... called it " The Great Vehicle " or Mahayana ; while they contemptuously called the system of the others - the Primi ...
... called " Northern " and " Southern " Schools was the theistic Mahāyāna doctrine , which substituted for the agnostic ... called it " The Great Vehicle " or Mahayana ; while they contemptuously called the system of the others - the Primi ...
Page 287
... called jira2 ; if a solitary one in the middle of the ridge , it is called " the banner . " They are emblematic of the royal umbrella and banner of victory . At the corners of the roof are erected cloth cylinders called gebi . The ...
... called jira2 ; if a solitary one in the middle of the ridge , it is called " the banner . " They are emblematic of the royal umbrella and banner of victory . At the corners of the roof are erected cloth cylinders called gebi . The ...
Page 373
... called by the Tibetans " earth - masters " ( Sab - dag ) . As he is of a roving disposition , occupying different ... called " The Gel - thun house- god . " In the third and fourth months the god stands in the doorway and is called " the ...
... called by the Tibetans " earth - masters " ( Sab - dag ) . As he is of a roving disposition , occupying different ... called " The Gel - thun house- god . " In the third and fourth months the god stands in the doorway and is called " the ...
Other editions - View all
Tibetan Buddhism: With Its Mystic Cults, Symbolism and Mythology, and in Its ... L. Austine Waddell No preview available - 2014 |
Tibetan Buddhism: With Its Mystic Cults, Symbolism and Mythology Laurence Austine Waddell No preview available - 2004 |
Tibetan Buddhism: With Its Mystic Cults, Symbolism and Mythology, and in Its ... L. Austine Waddell No preview available - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
according animals appear beads become believed birth blessing Bodhisat body born Buddha Buddhist called celestial century ceremony character chief China Chinese church colour contains Dalai death deity demons described desire devils directions divine doctrine earth eight especially existence figure five four Ge-lug-pa give given gods Grand Lama Guru hand head heaven held hell holy human hundred incarnation Indian king Lama Lamaist latter Lhasa means monastery monks month mystic nature noted obtain offered original pass person picture practice present priests prince received referred regard religion religious represented rosary rule sacred saints says sect seems seen seven side Sikhim spirits symbols temple Tibet Tibetan translated universe usually visited worship yellow