The Arrow and the Spindle: Studies in History, Myths, Rituals and Beliefs in Tibet (Vol. II)
Author: Samten G Karmay
Category: Tibetan Buddhism   
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The Book

The first part of this book deals with historical matters especially the stereotyped notions of the king Lang Darma in Tibetan Buddhist historical works. It is followed by a comparative study of the cult of local deities (yul Iha).

The second part is mainly devoted to the Buddhist rites such as the ones instituted as state ceremonies by the Fifth Dalai Lama (1617 – 1682) as well as discussions about the mural painting in the Red Palace in the Potala that depicts the life of the Fifth Dalai Lama.

The third part deals with the Bon religion and history of its monastic institution as well as its followers such as the rebellious Thirty-nite Tribes of Hor.

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About the Author:

Born in Amdo, North-Eastern Tibet, and educated in a Bonpo monastery, Samten G. Karmay studied Buddhist philosophy in Drepung, a monastic university in Central Tibet, till 1959. He was a Visiting Scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London where he had obtained M. Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.

He has been Visiting Scholar in a number of academic institutions: Ecole Partique des Hautes Etudes, Paris: Tokyo Bunko, University of Tokyo and the University of Kyoto, Japan.

In 1981, he became Charg de Recherche in the Centre national de la recherché scientifique (C.N.R.S), Paris and a member of Laboratoire d’ethnologie et de sociologie comparative, Universit de Paris-X. From 1989, he became a Directeur de Recherche in C.N.R.S. and was awarded the 1990 Silver Medal of the C.N.R.S. for l’originalit et la quality in his research. He has carried out several research missions in Tibet: Amdo in 1985, Central Tibet in 1987 and 1991; Khams and Amdo in 1993; Central Tibet in 1995; India and Nepal in 1996.

In 1995 he was elected President of the International Association for Tibetan Studies at its 7the Congress in Graz, Austria.

He is the author of several books including the great perfection, A philosophical and Meditative Teaching of Tibetan Buddhism, and Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama. He has also published our forty articles on various aspects of Tibetan civilization in English. French and Tibetan.