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 | | The Way of the White Clouds by Lama Anagarika Govinda ISBN-10: 9781585677856 ISBN-10: 1-58567-785-X ISBN-13: 9781585677856 ISBN-13: 978-1-58567-785-6 Paperback 2006-08-29 Overlook TP Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description Lama Anagarika Govinda was one of the last foreigners to journey through Tibet before the Chinese invasion of 1950. A devoted Buddhist and a spokesman for Tibetan culture, Govinda's luminous and candid account is a spectacular, poetic story of—and a sensitive interpretation of—Tibetan traditions. The Way of the White Clouds is one the twentieth century's classic spiritual autobiographies and an invaluable document about a place and a way of thinking that is virtually defined by its mysteries. Robert Thurman's perceptive introduction places Govinda's writings in historical context and opens a new door to understanding Tibet, Buddhism, and a man who, Thurman remarks, is "undoubtedly one of the West’s greatest minds of the twentieth century, right up there with Einstein, Heisenberg, Wittgenstein, Solzhenitsyn, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama." | ||
Reviews | ||
Among the greatest classics of its kind Anagarika Govinda's book The Way of the White Clouds is among the most beautiful travel books ever written. It gives a lyrical picture of Tibet before the destruction of virtually everything by the Chinese. Somewhat melodramatic in its descriptive power, Lama Govinda (1898-1985) and his Persian wife, Li Gotami, wrote, drew, and photographed unknown (and often abandoned) temples, met amazing people, and generally coursed in a mystical reverie during their time there. The reader is magically transported with them back to a time when no one in the West knew much, if anything, about Tibet, Tibetans, or its religion. That he might have got some details wrong isn't the point. This is a seminal work in its field (together with Marco Pallis and Alexandra David-Neel). Govinda's writing, and photographs are better than theirs, however. | ||
Beautifully written and insightful This book is a beautiful introduction to Tibetan culture and landscape and Buddhist beliefs and practices. It's left me longing to see Mount Kailas and the other sacred places he lovingly describes. I've since bought the author's more recent book, "Buddhist Reflections." | ||
Farewell The author, Lama Anagarika Govinda, is an erudite and sophisticated buddhist who brings to life a land and a people who will hardly exist in their native Tibet much longer. For someone who wants to have a westener explain the history, geography, art ,etc. of the "roof of the world" prior to the Chinese genocide, this is a wonderful guide. Of course there is a terrific description of buddhism in general and the specfic variety practised in Tibet. However, this may not be the best place to start. At least a basic knowledge of Tibet would be helpful, otherwise one could get mired down in so many strange names and concepts. | ||
Increase your awareness of Tibet This is a wonderful insightful book on Tibet and Buddhism. It opened my mind even more to a different way of thinking and being. | ||