Art, Imagery & Symbols
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IMAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT: Tibetan Art in Practice by Jonathan Landaw and Andy Weber 264 pp., 32 color photos, 13 line drawings, 6 diagrams. #IMEN2E - regular price $ 24.95 Our Price $19.96 Published by Snow Lion One of the most striking aspects of Tibetan Buddhism is its wealth of visual imagery. Ranging from the tranquility of a serenely poised meditator to the dynamic energy of apparently wrathful figures, this vivid and diverse imagery often leaves Western observers as puzzled as they are fascinated. Who are these figures and what do they mean? More ... | |
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LABRANG: A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at the Crossroads of Four Civilizations by Paul Kocot Nietupski, photos from the Griebenow Archives, 1921-1949 160 pp., 9" x 8" high, 36 color and 100 b&w photos, illustrations. #LA - regular price $ 24.95 Our Price $12.47 Published by Snow Lion Labrang Monastery, located in northeast Tibet at the strategic intersection of four major Asian civilizations--Tibetan, Mongolian, Chinese, and Muslim--was one of the largest Buddhist monastic universities. In the early twentieth century, it housed several thousand monks. Labrang was also a gathering point for numerous annual religious festivals, supported an active regional marketplace where Chinese artisans rubbed shoulders with Hui merchants and nomadic Tibetan highlanders, and was the seat of a Tibetan power base that strove to maintain regional autonomy through the shifting alliances and bloody conflicts that took place between 1700 and 1950. More ... | |
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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHIST TANTRA by Rob Preece 276 pp., 18 line drawings, 7 diagrams. #PSBUTA - regular price $ 18.95 Our Price $15.16 Published by Snow Lion This book masterfully succeeds in clarifying the nature of tantric practice. In contrast to the approaches of conventional religion, tantra does not attempt to soothe the turmoil of existence with consoling promises of heaven and salvation. The tantric practitioner chooses to confront the bewildering and chaotic forces of fear, aggression, desire, aphand pride, and to work with them in such a way that they are channeled into creative expression, loving relationships, and wisely engaged forms of life. More ... | |
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SACRED GROUND: Jamgon Kongtrul on "Pilgrimage and Sacred Geography" by Ngawang Zangpo. A Tsadra Foundation Series book. 256 pp., 14 b&w photos, cloth. 362 pp., 6" x 9", cloth. #SAGR - regular price $ 24.95 Our Price $19.96 Published by Snow Lion Sacred Ground describes two journeys: a journey outward to specific pilgrimage places in Eastern Tibet; and a journey inward, to the sacred world of tantra, accessible through contemplation and meditation. It sheds light on Himalayan Buddhists' concepts of sacred land, places of pilgrimage in tantric Buddhism, and how pilgrimage is undertaken. It enhances our appreciation of the world and its sacred aspect everywhere first and foremost, wherever we sit now. On the basis of a judicious choice of rare Tibetan texts, translated here for the first time, correlating inner and outer pilgrimage, this book is of considerable value to the Buddhist practitioner. More ... | |
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SPIRIT OF TIBET: Portrait of a Culture in Exile photographs and text by Alison Wright, foreword by H.H. the Dalai Lama 200 pages, 180 color photos, 9.5" x 10" wide. #SPTI - regular price $ 34.95 Our Price $17.48 Published by Snow Lion This visually stunning, full-color portrait of Tibetan life in exile displays the spirit of Tibetan refugees living in the beautiful mountain settings of northern India. It shows how Tibetans have preserved the best of their unique culture and identity. Aided by their Buddhist faith, the Tibetan people have rebuilt productive lives for themselves, and live today in thriving communities with a strong sense of purpose: to preserve and maintain the ancient Buddhist tradition which forms the core of Tibetan culture. In this sense, Tibetan refugees have managed more than mere survival: they have created a Tibet in exile that is in many ways more truly Tibetan than their occupied homeland. More ... | |
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TIBETAN THANGKA PAINTING: Methods and Materials by David Jackson and Janice Jackson 202 pp., 8.25 x 11, lavishly illustrated. #TITH2E - regular price $ 39.95 Our Price $31.96 Published by Snow Lion Tibetan Thangka Painting is the only detailed description of the techniques and principles of the sacred art of Tibetan scroll painting. It is the distillation of research carried out over a period of ten years, collected during five journeys to Nepal and India, and compiled from some twenty traditional painters. More ... | |
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THE WHEEL OF TIME SAND MANDALA: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism by Barry Bryant, in cooperation with Namgyal Monastery. 268 pp., 8 x 8, 36 color, 199 b&w photos, 30 line drawings. #WHTISA - regular price $ 24.95 Our Price $19.96 Published by Snow Lion A stunning visual introduction to the artistic and spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. More ... | |
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THE ART OF TIBET KNOWLEDGE CARDS SET by the Newark Museum 48-card set. #ARTIKN - $ 9.95 The renowned collection of The Newark Museum is known for its rare collection of some of the finest examples of Tibetan arts, crafts, and practice objects from Tibet--from the rough teapots of the nomadic herders to the elegant headdresses of the nobility to unique ritual objects. The forty-eight cards in this compact, handy deck, in brilliant color and detail, features fine reproductions of these important and unique pieces, and the other sides present key information about the objects. A fabulous gift. | |
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BENEFITS AND PRACTICES RELATED TO STATUES & STUPAS Part 3: Essential Advice for Filling Statues and Stupas by Shalkar Melong, commentary by Lama Zopa Rinpoche Spiralbound, 148 pp. #BEPR3 - $ 24.99 Leaving a statue empty is like offering nothing to the buddhas and can create obstacles. Therefore, it is important to put something inside the statue, even a few mantras and some incense. This book contains instructions for properly filling and consecrating statues and stupas of any size. It includes the root text of Shalkar Melong, translated with commentary by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, which provides detailed instructions for filling larger holy objects. Also included are the Sung Drub and Rab Nä ceremonies for consecrating your holy object. | |
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BUDDHIST SYMBOLISM IN TIBETAN THANGKAS by Ben Meulenbeld 114 pp., 8" x 11", 37 color plates, glossary, index. #BUSYTI - $ 22.95 This sumptuously illustrated book is a guide to the meaning of Buddhist thangka painting. It begins with thangkas of the Buddha and his life and then moves on to many peaceful and wrathful deities, mahasiddhas, and mandalas. The author explains the symbolism, the ritual and the philosophic concepts that they represent. | |
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BUDDHIST SYMBOLS IN TIBETAN CULTURE by Loden Sherap Dagyab Rinpoche 160 pp., 30 line drawings, 4 color plates. #BUSY - $ 15.95 Presents nine groups of Tibetan Buddhist symbols, tracing their evolution through Tibetan and Indian rituals and sacred texts and shows how they serve as bridges between the inner and outer worlds and can point the way to reality. Included are the Eight Auspicious Symbols; the Eight Bringers of Good Fortune; Seven Jewels of Royal Power; Seven Gems; Five Qualities of Enjoyment. More ... | |
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CINEMA NIRVANA: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies by Dean Sluyter 310 pp. #CINI - $ 14.00 Meditation teacher and award-winning film critic Sluyter illuminates the hidden enlightenment teachings of movies from Casablanca to The Graduate to Memento and many more. You'll never watch movies the same way again! Funny and wise. More ... | |
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CREATIVE SYMBOLS OF TANTRIC BUDDHISM by Sangharakshita. 215 pp., line drawings. #CRSYTA - $ 19.95 Presents the symbolism of colors and mantric sound; the mandala of the five Buddhas; the Tibetan Wheel of Life as a map of our mind and emotions; the meaning of ritual objects and offerings; the deities and bodhisattvas of the tantric pantheon; the refuge tree and tantric stupa; the cremation ground and celestial maidens. | |
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THE DALAI LAMA'S SECRET TEMPLE: Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet by Ian Baker, photos by Thomas Laird, intro. by H.H. the Dalai Lama 10" x 13", 216 pp., 188 illus., 150 in color, cloth. #DALATE - $ 65.00 Behind Tibet's Potala Palace--seat of the Dalai Lamas since 1649--lies a sacred pond. In the middle of it on a willow-covered island is the Lukhang Temple used by the Dalai Lamas as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat. During the time of the Sixth Dalai Lama, artists painted the murals depicting the path to liberation in the Dzogchen tradition--replete with Deities, yogis, nagas, cosmology--many amazing scenes of mystical life. | |
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DEITIES OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM: The Zurich Paintings ed. by Martin Brauen, trans by Martin Willson 600 pp., 11 3/4" x 10", 170 color illus., cloth. #DETIBU - $ 240.00 This is the most encyclopedic reference book of Tibetan images of enlightenment ever presented. Full color illustrations are reproduced here from a set of hand-painted woodblock prints created in 1810. This rare collection is presented along with extensive explanations of the meditative visualizations, mantras, and symbolism around each figure. | |
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DEMONIC DIVINE: Himalayan Art and Beyond by Rob Linrothe and Jeff Watt, fore. by Matthieu Ricard 8.5x11.5. 344 pp. #DEDIHI - $ 49.95 A lively and scholarly examination of Himalayan "fearsome" imagery. Created as a catalog for 2004 exhibition at the Rubin Museum, this beautiful book contains essays by noted experts as well as over 200 gorgeous color images. More ... | |
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THE DRAGON'S GIFT: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan edited by Terese Tse Bartholomew and John Johnston Cloth, 9.5" x 12", 390 pp. Includes DVD. #DRGISA - $ 65.00 This volume accompanies The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan art tour, one of the most highly anticipated exhibitions of Buddhist art to be held in recent times. For over five years, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Little, has conducted ambitious fieldwork and research in Bhutan. Enjoying a close working relationship with the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Honolulu Academy of Arts research teams have been given unprecedented access to the nation's treasuries of sacred art and dance. More ... | |
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EMPOWERED MASTERS: Tibetan Wall Paintings of MahaSiddhas at Gyantse by Ulrich von Schroeder Cloth. 9" x 11", 224 pp., 100 color plates. #EMMATI - regular price $ 85.00 Our Price $68.00 Some of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monuments to have survived the ravages of history are the temples and chapels at Gyantse in Southern Tibet. In a chapel on the upper floor of the Palkhor Tsuglagkhang there exist superb wall paintings of the legendary eighty-four mahasiddhas --tantric adepts who, through effort and practice, have attained perfection and are endowed with extraordinary powers. More ... | |