Product Description

An account of a westerner's journey in Tibet and of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, before the Chinese invasion of 1950. Other titles by the author include "Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism" and "Initiation and Initiates in Tibet".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #456429 in Books
• Published on: 1992-10-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
It tells of terrible journeys, of men masked against the sun (riding through ethereal regions with their feet frozen), of welcoming fog-girt monasteries lit by butter lamps at the journey's end' New Statesman 'A hypnotic picture of the Tibet which has vanished' New Statesman

Sunday Telegraph
"a vivid and moving portrait of a country that has bewitched travellers for centuries...a profound and compelling portrait"

Yoga and Health
"timeless in its appeal"

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism
A travel book written before the age of travel books, written by a devout Buddhist pilgrim in which his outer journey mirrors his journey within. A classic book about travels in Tibet in 1947 which reveals so much about Buddhism and Buddhist traditions as they were before the Chinese invasion. A beautifully written book and an absolute must for any serious student of Tibetan Buddhism.

A Real Buddhist Discovers Traditional [ Pre-Chinese] Tibet
Lama Govinda [ a life long Buddhist practictioner] visits Tibet before the Chinese invasion . Through his beautiful discription of life and spiritual practices , as well as an artist vison of the incredible natural world of the world's highest plateau, Lama Govinda [ a German ] sees the Buddhist landscape with eyes accustomed to meditation and ritual. Without fear or supersition he leads one through some truly remarkable events and Buddhist teachings . The Lama is a world class interpreter of what was phantasy and mystery until very recently. This is the movie Hollywood should have made !

Amazing spiritual travelogue
Whether you come to this book interested in Tibet, travel writing, or Buddhism there is much here to appreciate.

The preface alerts us to the fact that the Tibet the author knew has changed. As a 'Lost world' portrait this book is note worthy since both the world, headspace, and style of the Lama's writing has changed.

As a piece of travel writing the places mentioned are still there and while largely fallen into disrepair and the ardent traveller can find these places with some reward, probably more so if you read the relevant passage from the book and have a look for signs of their previous majesty. Furthermore, rather than simply a series of places joined together with basic travel narrative, the reasons and experiences of the author are frankly enthralling for anyone with yearning to experience different cultures while travelling. His description of profound, spiritual, supernatural and mundane events continually propel the reader through the story as wide eyed and breathless as the author himself.

Sadly I'm not knowledgeable enough to say other than on general level how this book rates as a guide to Buddhism, but as a non-practising perhaps philosophical aficionado of Buddhism I found his descriptions of Buddhist practices and his personal journey of discovery inspiring.

As such this book recommends itself to any sort of reader who is interested in a good story with descriptive history, theological geography (A la Da Vinci code - only much better and factual) and great characters.