Buddhism & Lamaism of Tibet: With Its Mystic Cults, Symbolism and Mythology, And In Its Relation to Indian Buddhism. (An Old & Rare Book)

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This book, embodying a lot of research into nineteenth century publications on the subject, brings into focus the wealth of information on Lamaism, a mystical form of Buddhism, known after its priests. The bulk of Lamaist cults comprise much deep-rooted devil-worship and sorcery which the author describes with a degree of fullness. Even though thinly and imperfectly varnished over with Buddhist symbolism, beneath which the sinister growth of poly- demonist superstition darkly appears, Lamaism retains much of the loftier philosophy and ethics of the system taught by Buddha himself. Particularly rich in ritual, Lamaism lives mainly by the senses, and expends its strength on sacerdotal functions. Not merely a monastic brotherhood, Lamaism is a truly popular religion deeply pervading and dominating the life of its believers.

To those interested in the old world ethics, customs and myths, and in the ceaseless effort of the human heart to attain absolute truth, as well as to the more serious students of Lamaism amongst orientalists, travellers, missionaries and others, this book provides a clear insight into the origin as well as the structure, prominent features, and cults of Lamaism arising out of Buddhism, its parent-system.

Noapology is needed for the production at the pre- sent time of a work on the Buddhism of Tibet, or "Lamaism as it has beer called, after its priests. Notwithstanding the increased attention which in recent years has been directed to Buddhism by the speculations of Schopenhauer and Hartmann, and the widely felt desire for fuller information as to the conditions and sources of Eastern religion, there exists no European book giving much insight into the jealously guarded religion of Tibet, where Buddhism wreathed in romance has now its chief stronghold.

The only treatise on the subject in English, is Emil Schlagintweit's Buddhism in Tibet published over thirty years ago, and now out of print. A work which, however admirable with respect to the time of its appearance, was admittedly fragmentary, as its author had never been in contact with Tibetans. And the only other European book on Lamaism, excepting Giorgi's curious compilation of last century, is Köppen's Die Lamaische Hierarchie und Kirche' published thirty-five years ago, and also a compilation and out of print. Since the publication of these two works much new information has been gained, though scattered through more or less inaccessible Russian, German, French, and Asiatic journals. And this, combined with the existing opportunities for a closer study of Tibet and its customs, renders a fuller and more systematic work now possible.

Some reference seems needed to my special facilities for undertaking this task. In addition to having personally studied "southern Buddhism" in Burma and Ceylon; and "northern Buddhism" in Sikhim, Bhotin and Japan; and exploring Indian Buddhism in its remains in "the Buddhist Holy Land," and the ethnology of Tibet and its border tribes in Sikhim, Asam, and upper Burma; and being one of the few Europeans who have entered the territory of the Grand Lama, I have spent several years in studying the actualities of Lämaism as explained by its priests, at points much nearer Lhasa than any utilized for such a purpose, and where I could feel the pulse of the sacred city itself beating in the large communities of its natives, many of whom had left Lhasa only ten or twelve days previously.

On commencing my enquiry I found it necessary to learn the language, which is peculiarly difficult, and known to very few Europeans. And afterwards, realizing the rigid secrecy maintained by the Lamas in regard to their seemingly chaotic rites and symbolism, I felt compelled to purchase a Lämaist temple with its fittings, and prevailed on the officiating priests to explain to me in full detail the symbolism and the rites as they proceeded. Perceiv ing how much I was interested.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages