Customer Reviews

Travels in the Netherworld: Buddhist Popular Narratives of Death and the Afterlife in Tibet

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

 

 

Scholars of Tibetan Buddhism typically focus on doctrine and rituals; Tibetan enthusiasts typically romanticizes Tibetan Buddhism to be a religion of peace and otherness. This book is a refreshing history of how the Tibetans actually conceived of their own worlds (living and the dead), how they lived their lives, and how the rich lore about the world of the dead was transmitted. The mastery of primary sources used for the research of this book is impressive. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Tibetan culture, and specifically the religious praxis. The book is well worth the investment!

This book rocks. It's a fast-paced narrative about journeys to the netherworld and back: the stories of a Tibetan housewife, a young lama, a noble and a Buddhist monk. The beauty of this book is that it is both a lasting contribution to our understanding of Tibetan Buddhism and yet completely accessible to a wide audience. Cuevas writes with verve. Five stars!

Well written with excellent research. Anyone interested in
Tibetan studies will definitely find this a much needed addition to
their library and a wonderful book to read.

Why is a 200-page book, which is basically just historical research, list for $65? This makes this book unappealing to anyone but Buddhist scholars, who have the least to gain from it! Shameful.