Tibetan Religious Journey

Author: Giuseppe Tucci
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Journey to Tibetan Buddhism (originally titled Religions of Tibet). This book was first published in German in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1970, as the first part of Religions of Tibet and Mongolia, co-authored by Tucci and Walther Hessig (a renowned German Mongologist). It immediately caused a sensation in the international academic community and was eagerly translated by scholars worldwide. The French edition was translated by R. Sailley, a French philosopher and PhD, and published in Paris in 1973. The English translation was published in two separate volumes, Religions of Tibet and Religions of Mongolia, in London in 1980. The Italian translation was published in Rome in 1986. China previously published a Chinese translation by Geng Sheng in 1989 through Tianjin Ancient Books Publishing House. This time, the China Tibetology Publishing House is releasing a standalone edition of Tucci's Religions of Tibet. This book is part of the Discover Tibet Series by China Tibetology Publishing House, a series of famous works on Tibet. It is written by Giuseppe Tucci (1894–1984), an internationally renowned Tibetan scholar and a member of the Accademia dei Lincei in Italy, and translated into Chinese by Geng Sheng of the Institute of History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The Journey to Tibetan Buddhism (originally titled Religions of Tibet). This book was first published in German in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1970, as the first part of Religions of Tibet and Mongolia, co-authored by Tucci and Walther Hessig (a renowned German Mongologist). It immediately caused a sensation in the international academic community and was eagerly translated by scholars worldwide. The French edition was translated by R. Sailley, a French philosopher and PhD, and published in Paris in 1973. The English translation was published in two separate volumes, Religions of Tibet and Religions of Mongolia, in London in 1980. The Italian translation was published in Rome in 1986. China previously published a Chinese translation by Geng Sheng in 1989 through Tianjin Ancient Books Publishing House. This time, the China Tibetology Publishing House is releasing a standalone edition of Tucci's Religions of Tibet.
The book is divided into seven chapters.
Chapter 1: The Early Propagation of Buddhism in Tibet introduces the spread of Buddhism in Tibet during the early propagation period and the collision between Buddhism introduced from India and the Han Dynasty.
Chapter 2: The Later Propagation of Buddhism in Tibet discusses the revival of Buddhism in Tibet, the contributions of the Tibetan scholar Rinchen Zangpo and the Indian monk Ati?a to the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, and the major monasteries that emerged during the later propagation period.
Chapter 3: The Basic Characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism elaborates on the doctrinal foundations of Tibetan Buddhism, important sects, doctrinal disputes, and the personal behavior of lamas.
Chapter 4: The Doctrines of Major Tibetan Buddhist Sects first introduces five aspects of Tibetan Buddhism—mandala, initiation, empowerment, Dhyāna, Sambhogakāya, Nirmanakāya, and the concepts of mind and light. It then analyzes the doctrines of the Jonang, Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya, and Esoteric sects, and summarizes the characteristics of Tibetan Buddhist liberation doctrines.
Chapter 5 focuses on the organization, hierarchy, functions, religious calendar, festivals, and property and management of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
Chapter 6 analyzes Tibetan folk religion, which is less studied by general scholars. Tucci argues that the rituals, beliefs, and oral traditions in Tibetan Buddhism are inheritances of Tibetan folk religion. He emphasizes the analysis of important manifestations of Tibetan folk religion, such as the protection of humans and dwellings, souls, death, incense and burning, omens, and the protection of property and livestock.
Chapter 7 briefly introduces Bon.
This book is an extremely important world classic, rich in text and illustrations, and highly readable. It may seem cumbersome at first glance, but this is precisely its strength in providing detailed and in-depth discussions. Although Tucci was a typical Western Tibetan scholar, many of his viewpoints are worth further study and hold significant reference value. Tucci Professor is the authority among authorities and the master among masters in the international Tibetan studies community. Religions of Tibet is a world classic of Tibetan studies that reflects his lifelong dedication, holds a very high position and significant influence in the international Tibetan studies community, and is an indispensable reference for studying Tibetan Buddhism.