Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism

by Claude B. Levenson; Laziz Hamani; alai Lama

• ISBN13: 9782908228861
• ISBN10: 2908228866
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-04-01
• Publisher: Terrail

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

1. THE WHEEL OF TIME Temporal cycles cadencing the timeless gestures of everday life

2. THE WHEEL OF LIFE Each individual is attuned to his own spiritual awareness

3. THE WHEEL OF THE LAW Help others, do not harm them

4. RED HATS AND YELLOW HATS Under the protective wing of the Three Jewels

5. THE STUPA A materialization of the interior quest

6. THE PRAYER WHEEL Prayer for the benefit of all beings

7. SACRED MANTRA om mani peme hung

8. THE ROSARY The mala

9. THE ALTAR Nothing is too beautiful for the Enlightened One

10. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS At the service of the gods for the benefit of beings

11. THE SACRED SCARF The khata

12. THUNDERBOLT SCEPTER AND BELL Dorje and drilbu Means and Wisdom

13. RITUAL BOWL AND DAGGER Triumph over interior enemies

14. THE AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS Eight emblems to bring good luck and secure protection

15. OFFERINGS Sacred and profane, a homage to the Deity

16. THE SCRIPTURE AND THE TEXTS Treasures to preserve the memory

17. MUDRAS Signs for the expression of indescribable forces

18. THE GEAT PRAYER Monlam Chenmo The annual invocation for the well-being of beings

19. THE MASTERS OF KNOWLEDGE From magic to philosophy, the middle way from science to knowledge

20. MASTER AND DISCIPLE An unshakable trust

21. THE PROTECTOR OF TIBET Chenresig-Avalokiteshvara

22. TARA DROLMA Guardian, Protectress and Savior

23. THE GREAT PROTECTORS Masters of time, death and negative forces

24. THE FIRE RITUAL The great purification

25. MONKS AND LAITY A densely woven social fabric

26. THE MEDITATOR Memory of the centuries

27. PILGRIMAGE Signposts in the territory of the sacred

28. THE PASSAGE OF DEATH There is neither beginning nor end

29. THE DALAI LAMA Incarnation of the Divine

30. THE LOTUS Darkness and light