Customer Reviews

Sacred Landscape And Pilgrimage in Tibet: In Search of the Lost Kingdom of Bon

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very intriguing quest for the lost empire of Shang Shung, sacred land of Dzog-Chen according to the Bon religion of Tibet, accompanied by heart-fulfilling pictures and a beautiful commentary. There's also a DVD sleeved in the back flap of the book that puts in motion picture the whole book thru the gracious words of the commentators and the Bon lamas. The DVD alone is worth half the price of the package and the hard cover together with the waxed paper of the book make the purchase an absolute must for all people interested in Bon culture, religion and Dzog Chen of ancient Tibet.

This coffee-table size book documents a prilgrimage by Geshe Gelek, a Bon monk from Kathmandu, in May 2002 to Zhangzhung in the Mount Kailash area of West Tibet. "For Hindus, Kailas is home to the gods Shiva and Parvati; for the Buddhists, the tantric deity Demchog and his scarlet consort Dorje Phagmo; for the Jains, Rishibanatha; and for us Bon, Walchen Gekho." In addition to the day-by-day diary of the trip, there are descriptions of the Bon religion of Tibet, Dzogchen, and its main beliefs and history. There are 160 colour photos.

After flying to Simikot, Geshe Gelek treks to Tibet, does the Lake Manasoravor kora, and the Mount Kailash outer and inner koras. "We crested a ridge [on the inner kora], gazed down into a cirque of snow, the sheer sapphire wall of Mount Kailas behind us, ice and rock cascading off the mountain as the sun softened the snow's surface." After Kailash they visit Tirthapuri and Khyunglung, the ancient capital of Zhangzhung. There are also some photos from Bon areas of Nepal, including Upper Dolpo and Mustang.

The book provides a good overview of the Bon religion that predated Buddhism in Tibet. The text is interesting. The photos are excellent. The accompanying DVD brings the story even more to life.