Gazing at the Mandala: A Selection of Works by a Living Buddha's Wife

Author: Guo Cuiqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: "Gazing at the Mandala" includes nearly forty articles that encompass the author's unique life experiences and emotional journey in Tibet, anecdotes of famous modern and contemporary Tibetan political and religious figures, as well as the stories of the Tibetan people (especially women); introductions to Tibetan religion, folklore, customs, and festivals. At first glance, the book may seem disorganized in terms of genre, but its core reveals the complex spiritual development of an inland university student who has been in Tibet for forty years, caught in the intense collision of traditional and modern, central Chinese and plateau cultures. Unlike the writings of either inland or Tibetan authors introducing Tibetan traditional culture, it offers a fascinating read. For this reason, I hold a special fondness for Guo Cuiqin's "Gazing at the Mandala." It is a book written with half a lifetime of dedication and genuine emotion. As an outsider woman who arrived in the unfamiliar Tibet, she brought a sense of novelty rarely found among locals. Her five years of university education gave her the key to entering the mysterious realm of Tibetan culture. Special life experiences and her love life allowed her to take root in the plateau soil, gradually becoming an expert in Tibetan culture. Truly, her writing reflects her character—her works are not only imbued with rich sincerity but also demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation of ethnic culture. As a result, her writing flows effortlessly, seamlessly integrating and leaving readers with much to ponder. "Gazing at the Mandala" is a rare and fragrant flower that has blossomed from Guo Cuiqin's decades of extraordinary life in Tibet and the intellectual nourishment she has accumulated.