Nestled deep in the "Land of Snow" stands Samye, the monastery where Buddhism first took root in Tibet. Join acclaimed photographer Mikel Dunham on a journey to this rarely seen and sacred place. Preceded by a moving and remarkable foreword by the Dalai Lama, Samye: A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism, is a collection of nearly 200 original color photographs and compelling text that transports readers to this significant site in Tibetan culture. That Samye still exists is nothing short of a miracle. Founded in the year 770 under the guidance of the great Indian Tantric master, Padmasambhava, it has withstood several major fires; 1,200 years of the harsh Tibetan winter; and the devastating invasion of the Red Army. The invasion was almost the monastery's undoing as soldiers destroyed its magnificent golden roof, desecrated its frescoes, burnt irreplaceable ancient texts, and expelled or killed the monks who called it "home." Historically, Samye was the first monastery in Tibet and, as such, saw the ordination of the first Tibetan monks. It also became a translation school unparalleled in Asian history. Architecturally, Samye is built in the form of a three-dimensional mandala-a universal map pointing the Buddhist pilgrim's way to enlightenment. Spiritually, Samye remains an invaluable treasure in the minds and hearts of all Tibetans. In 2000, Mikel Dunham was given the unique invitation of full access to Samye to record its treasures, many of which had never been photographed. As a trained thangka master in the Tibetan manner of painting, photographer Mikel Dunham brings an insightful perspective to the readers as he explains Samye's remarkable history and documents its current restoration effort. As you turn the pages of this book filled with accounts of the early years of Tibetan Buddhism and interlaced with photographs of the Tibetans who still populate this cherished land, you are invited to explore the vast potential of your own spiritual path-wherever that may lead you.
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About the Author
Mikel Dunham's writing career is preceded by his success as an artist. In the 1980s and early 1990s, his box-assemblages and three-dimensional photographic collages were widely exhibited, including one-man shows in Europe, New York, and other major cities in the U.S. In 1989, Mr. Dunham made the first of many treks in the Himalaya, thus marking a turning point in his career. He became the last student of the late thangka master, Pema Wangyal of Dolpo, spending years learning how to paint in the Tibetan manner with mineral pigments and 22 carat gold. This led to his commission to paint the murals for a newly constructed Tibetan temple in Sarnath, India-one of the eight major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. His Holiness the Dalai Lama later consecrated the temple. In 2000, Dunham was given full access to Samye to document its treasures, many of which have never before been photographed. He resides in Santa Monica, California, with his wife Margaret.
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Although most of my time is currently devoted to writing and lecturing on college campuses, art and photography continue to be essential elements in my life. I have traveled extensively and lived in New York City, Paris, Munich and on the island of Crete, among other places. In the last 15 years, I have spent much of my time on extended trips to Central Asia. After my apprenticeship with Pema Wangyal of Dolpo, the late thankha master, I was made art director for the mural of two Nyingma Buddhist temples--one in Sarnath, India, and the other in upstate New York. My book-in-progress is about the political crisis in Nepal with particular emphasis on how it impacts women, children and the Tibetan and Bhutanese refugee communities. I now live in southern California with my wife, Margaret. We have two sons, Adrian and Zachary, who also live in the LA area.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Roof of the World & the Roots of Tibetan Buddhism,
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This review is from: Samye: A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)
Rebeccasreads highly recommends SAMYE: A PILGRIMAGE TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM as a treasure trove of images, history & beauty. Mikel Dunham pours all his photographic mastery & his love of a good story into this homage of a sacred site.Perfect for those who have yearned & will not in this lifetime get there; perfect for those who have been & yearn to return, & a perfect gift for those to whom Buddhism, travel, mountains & memories are the stuff of life.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brief and simple overview of the history of Samye,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Samye: A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)
Samye: A Pilgrimage To The Birthplace Of Tibetan Buddhism is a tribute to an ancient Tibetan buddhist monastery, first founded in 770, that receives pilgrimages to this day. A truly beautiful presentation offering full-color, full-page photographs of people and great Buddhist artworks on almost every page, Samye: A Pilgrimage To The Birthplace Of Tibetan Buddhism. A brief and simple overview of the history of Samye interweaves with the captivating images, in this utterly compelling coffee table book that strives to impart the next closest thing to experiencing Samye short of traveling there and seeing it firsthand. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Visual Journey to SAMYE,
This review is from: Samye: A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)
Samye was founded by Tantric master Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita from Indian in the eight century A.D. This monastery is built in the form of a three-dimensional mandala.
"Put in its simplest terms, a mandala is a diagram or pictorial representation of a three-dimensional universe used as an aid for Buddhist meditators." Mikel Dunham has made many trips to Tibet and became the last student of the late thankgha master, Perma Wangyal of Dolpo. He spent years learning how to paint with mineral pigments and 22 carat gold. He then painted murals for a Tibetan temple in Sarnath, India. He was then given full access to Samye to document treasures that have never been photographed. After a foreword by his Holiness the Dalai Lama (his actual letter has been photographed - how unique), the book is divided into six sections: Bulding the Inconceivable Approaching the Mandala Entering the Mandala Within the Monkhood Above the Mandala Precarious Preservation Even his Holiness the Dalai Lama was not able to visit Samye and explains how he was very close to Samye when he crossed the Tsangpo river nearby in a yak skin coracle during his escape in 1959. After the occupation of Tibet, the building were damaged and irreplaceable books were destroyed. If you have any interest in Tibetian Buddhism or have an interest in world travel, this book is sure to offer intriguing insight into the "Land of the Snow Lions." Pages 2-33 display mostly art (ancient murals) and then after page 36, the Samye compound is photographed from every conceivable angle, including a view from Mount Hepori. There are also pictures of monks studying outside beneath the trees, monks and nuns performing daily chores and ceremonies, prayer flags draped across long ropes across the mountains, pilgrims wearing yellow khatags (ceremonial scarves), close-ups of elaborately designed doors, yak butter lamps and gorgeous pictures of the red walls with detailed paintings and patterns. Mikel gives insight into what has happened to the art and even describes how preservation is at times as basic as filling parts of vandalized paintings with flour paste to prevent further deterioration. There are also pictures of grafitti painted across the Great Stupa Wall and beautiful rooms that have now been turned into junkyards. If you have read books like "Karma and Happiness: A Tibetan Odyssey in Ethics, Spirituality, and Healing" by Miriam E. Cameron, you will enjoy the visual representation of her descriptions of Tibet in this photographic journey. ~The Rebecca Review
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