The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism [Paperback]

Barry Bryant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2003

A stunning visual introduction to the artistic and spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book, which has a foreword by the XIV Dalai Lama, reveals details of one of the most important expressions of Tibetan, or Vajrayana, Buddhism--the Kalachakra sand mandala, or Wheel of Time, brought to the United States by Tibetan monks. Bryant, the artistic director of the Samaya Foundation, describes this mandala as a work of art; he gives an explanation of its origins, development, and place in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and a step-by-step description of its use in religious initiation. He also reveals that the Dalai Lama shared this mandala with the world as a contribution to world peace. Essential for academic and museum libraries; recommended for seminary and public libraries.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"This wonderful book took years of Bryant's life to complete (he died of cancer in 1997 at the age of 56). And if you were stranded on a desert island and wanted just one comprehensive reminder of what Buddhism has to offer, plus the significance of the Kalachakra as a vehicle for world peace, it would have to be this gem. Certainly, it is about the creation and meaning of the Kalachakra Sand Mandala (the monks who help to make it say they are reconstructing a representation of something that already exists: the utopia of Shambhala). But it is so much more: the life of the Buddha, his teachings, the coming of Buddhism to Tibet, the Dalai Lamas, Namgyal Monastery, the bestowing of the Kalachakra on whole communities, the initiation rituals, the practice of the Kalachakra Tantra in our daily lives to transform our consciousness...all in a riveting, readable style. Plus some beautiful illustrations."--Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal

 

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications; New Revised Edition edition (March 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559391871
• ISBN-13: 978-1559391870
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book gift for those interested in the topic, October 19, 2004

By 

JHF - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

For all of those interested in Tibetan Buddhism, Bryant's book would be a wonderful gift. This book is fun to look at; it is full of pictures of mandalas being made, the details of the mandala, and the Kalachakra ceremony. The information Bryant presents is not too ponderous for those with a casual interest, instead it provides a variety of fascinating tidbets. He discusses the history of the ceremony, as well as the meanings of actions during the ritual itself. Having heard Bryant speak to groups at one Kalachakra ceremony in India many years ago, I know that he has long been associated with the Tibetan refugee community, and the Dalai Lama. This long term interest enriches the book, and provides depth to the accounts of modern ceremonies.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Featuring a forward by the XIV Dalai Lama, May 16, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

Written by Barry Bryant in full cooperation with the Namgyal Monastery, and featuring a forward by the XIV Dalai Lama, The Wheel Of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture Of Tibetan Buddhism is a welcome and informative introduction to the creation of the Kalachakra Sand Mandala (also known as the Wheel of Time), an act done by monks of Tibetan Buddhism for the purpose of promoting worldwide peace and healing. Black-and-white illustrations, along with a brief selection of color photographs, enhance this captivating and very highly recommended account.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endless Complexity, June 14, 2010

By 

Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism (Paperback)

"The Wheel of Time" is a fascinating guide to the world of Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas. While Zen Buddhist sand gardens are incredibly simple and spare, the Tibetan Buddhist sand mandala is irreducibly complex, with diverse and esoteric elements. Outwardly, some mandalas can LOOK simple, especially ones with a deity in the middle like Blue Medicine Buddha or Green Tara. Barry Bryant takes his readers on a quest for knowledge. Zen Buddhism is simple and austere;Tibetan Buddhism is complex and baroque.

"The Wheel of Time" is like walking a labyrinth, with its endless winding ways. It's a fascinating philosophical book. Spin the wheel of time!