The Society of Jesus commonly known as the Jesuits is the most successful and enduring global missionary enterprise in history Founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540 the Jesuit order has preached the Gospel managed a vast educational network and shapedthe Catholic Church society and politics in all corners of the earth The Jesuits international impact and openness to dialogue with non-European cultures generated controversy-and led to their suppression by Pope Clement XIV in 1773 Restored in 1814 the Jesuits grew rapidly and had particular influence on the formation of schools and universities an influence that continues to this day In our global era marked by deep religious and cultural pluralism what can we learn from the historical and contemporary experience of the Society of Jesus What do the Jesuits tell us about globalization and what can globalization tells us about the Jesuits This volume is divided into two parts historical legacies and contemporary challenges and brings together Read more

“Involves us intensely in a world that no longer exists—that of free Tibet. . . . Fervent and admirably unsentimental . . . [David-Neel] had to exercise the utmost ingenuity to survive.”— New York Times Book ReviewOriginally published in 1927, My Journey to Lhasa is a powerful, entertaining record of danger and achievement that has become one of the most remarkable and inspirational of all travelers’ tales. Disguised as a beggar, Alexandra David-Neel tackled some of the roughest terrain and climate, suffered primitive travel conditions, frequent outbreaks of disease, the ever-present danger of border control, and the military to become the first woman to penetrate Tibet and reach Lhasa—and the first Western woman to have been received by any Dalai Lama. Read more

For centuries Tibet has been known as the last home of mystery, the hidden, sealed land, where ancient mysteries still survive that have perished in the rest of the Orient. Many men have written about Tibet and its secret lore, but few have actually penetrated it to learn its ancient wisdom. Among those few was Madame Alexandra David-Neel, a French orientalist. A practicing Buddhist, a profound historian of religion, and linguist, she actually lived in Tibet for more than 14 years. She had the great honor of being received by the Dalai Lama; she studied philosophical Buddhism and Tibetan Tantra at the great centers; she meditated in lonely caves and on wind-swept winter mountains with yogi hermits; and she even witnessed forbidden corpse-magic in the forests. Her experiences have been unique.Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of her experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. It is neither a travel book nor an autobiography but a study of psychic discovery, a description of the occult and mystical theories and psychic training practices of Tibet. She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about their spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain siddhis; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending “messages on the wind”; and much similar material.An unusual aspect of Madame David-Neel’s book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections. Read more

A breathtaking guide to fifty of the world’s greatest locations to hike, as selected by the experts who have been there.Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die is the latest offering in the bestselling Fifty Places series. Chris Santella, along with top expedition leaders, explores the world’s greatest walking adventures. Some, such as the Lunana Snowman Trek in Bhutan and the Kangshung Valley Trek in Tibet, are grueling multiweek adventures at high altitudes. Others, such as Japan’s Nakesando Trail, move leisurely from village to village, allowing walkers to immerse themselves in the local culture. Whether it’s climbing the Rwandan mountains to view mountain gorillas or strolling through bistros along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, there’s a memorable hike at everyone’s level within these 50 chapters. With commentaries from expert trekkers and insider tips that lead the reader off the beaten path, Santella has again captured the special characteristics that make these must-visit destinations. Read more

The extraordinary documentation of the evolving friendship between the Dalai Lama and the man who followed him across Ireland and Eastern Europe, on a pilgrimage to India's holy sites, and through the Dalai Lama's near fatal illness. On this remarkable journey Victor Chan was awarded an insight into His Holiness-his life, his fears, his faith, his compassion, his day-to-day practice-that no one has reported before. We've heard the public voice of His Holiness--now we are invited to listen in on his personal explorations, and to take instruction on the Tibetan art of living. Read more

First published in France in 1929, Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of the author's experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. Alexandra David-Neel's memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet―including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water! She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about these spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain enlightenment; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending “messages on the wind”; and much similar material. An unusual aspect of her book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections. This deluxe edition has all of the original photographs plus additional photos and maps, as well several introductions. Chapters include: Tibet and the Lamas; A Guest of the Lamas; A Famous Tibetan Monastery; Dealing with Ghosts and Demons, Disciples of Yore and their Contemporary Emulators; Psychic Sports; Mystic Theories and Spiritual Training; Psychic Phenomena in Tibet―How Tibetans Explain Them; more. Read more

Yangönpa's Hidden Description of the Vajra Body presents the triad constituting the Vajra Body - the channels, energy-winds, and vital essences - as the basis for the application of experiential yogic techniques. Buddhism often relegates the body to a role subordinate to that of the mind; the focus of Yangönpa's Hidden Description is the body itself, with its manifold layers - coarse, subtle, and very subtle. In his presentation of the human body's energetic structure he contends that it is not simply the means to achieve enlightenment, but enlightenment itself, blending the Highest Tantra notion of the body as the method with the Total Perfection (rdzogs chen) principle of inherently present enlightenment as the fundamental nature of all phenomena. Gyalwa Yangönpa realized the nature of mind at the age of eight upon hearing instructions on the Dzogchen mind cycle of teachings. And at age nine he was installed as the abbot of Lhadong monastery, where he gave profound religious discourses, establishing his reputation as an enlightened emanation. During his lifetime, 1213-1258, he was devoted to four precious masters of different lineages. Under the guidance of the first two, he undertook solitary retreat and, following a clear vision of the energetic system of body and mind, came to master this inseparable matrix. An exceptional being gifted with powers, knowledge, and wisdom, Yangönpa led an exemplary life and his spiritual achievements won him a large number of followers. His literary output left a mark in the writings of later masters of all Tibetan schools, including Tsongkhapa, the Eighth Karmapa, Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, Raga Asya, and Jigmed Lingpa. Read more

IT WAS THE EARLY 1960s. The place, a far-off corner of the Himalayas long fabled in Tibetan tradition to be hiding a valley of immortality among its peaks and glaciers—a real-life Shangri-La. They waited generations for the prophesied lama to come, the one with the secret knowledge of how to ‘open’ the Hidden Land. Then, one day, he came. His name was Tulshuk Lingpa.THIS BOOK TELLS THE TRUE STORY of this charismatic visionary lama and his remarkable expedition. Against the wishes of the kings of both Sikkim and Nepal, he and over three hundred followers ventured up the snowy slopes of the third highest mountain of the planet. Their aim: to open a crack in the very fabric of reality and go to a land we would all wish to inhabit if it were only there—a land of peace and concord.FORTY YEARS LATER, the author spends over five years tracking down the surviving members of this extraordinary expedition. He deftly weaves their stories together with humor, wisdom, and scholarly research into Tibetan traditions of Hidden Lands, all the while reflecting on what this means for the rest of us.“Like no other book I have ever read…a riveting tale of adventure…honest to the real spirit of Tibet…both unique and intriguing…an engrossing read. Highly recommended.”Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, from the ForewordFrom Tulshuk Lingpa’s Guidebook to the Hidden Land:“Don’t listen to anybody. Decide by yourself and practice madness. Develop courage for the benefit of all sentient beings. Then you will automatically be free from the knot of attachment. Then you will continually have the confidence of fearlessness and you can then try to open the Great Door of the Hidden Place.”WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED...If Lewis Carroll had proclaimed the Reality of Alice’s Wonderland?What if he had gathered a Following & launched an Expedition?Available in Paperback, eBook, and Audio Book formats!FIRST PUBLISHED BY PENGUIN 201CITY LION PRESS EDITION 2017THIS EDITION IS NOT FOR SALE IN SOUTH ASIA, MALAYSIA, OR SINGAPORE Read more

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A classic account of a man's spiritual pilgrimage through Tibet just before the Chinese invasion of 1950 features a new introduction that places the author's experiences and discoveries in a historical context. Read more

"Sherlock Holmes in Tibet" is a novel that combines detective work with travelogue. It narrates the experiences of Sherlock Holmes, from his duel with Professor Moriarty to his return to London, spanning approximately three years, with two years spent in Tibet.The story covers the following events:Revisiting the routes of the Age of Discovery, Sherlock Holmes sailed along the coast of Africa, encountering many wonders and oddities.In a small inn in Tibet, Holmes unexpectedly met a criminal he had once imprisoned.Animals possess a soul, as numerous monkeys in the mountains gathered to dance under the moonlight to Holmes's music.At the foot of the sacred mountain, Holmes reviewed and reflected on all the cases he had solved, realizing that most of his efforts had ended in failure.On the journey of spiritual cultivation, Sherlock Holmes visited the sacred mountain of Mount Kailash and the holy lake of Lake Manasarovar.Peering into the mysteries of the heavens, Holmes contemplated the center of the world.A lone hero, Holmes met and conversed with the wild men of Tibet deep in the mountains.The pearl of the plateau, Holmes toured Lhasa and the Po Ta La Palace.Unprecedentedly, Holmes found himself imprisoned for the first time in his life.With a few tricks up his sleeve, Sherlock Holmes solved the theft case of the sacred statue of the Pa Ba La Kang.Holmes discussed topics such as relics, rainbow death, incorruptible bodies, and Atlantis.Facing extreme danger, Holmes was pursued by London gangsters in Tibet.Possessing keen insight, a Lama in Lhasa presented Holmes with a verse predicting his fate.Holmes visited Persia, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.Masterminding from behind the scenes, Holmes orchestrated internal strife within the London gang, weakening its power.Taking a global perspective, Holmes and Mycroft discussed world affairs.With Sherlock Holmes, let's embark on a global journey of the 19th century and experience the unique charm of the snowy plateau of mysterious Tibet. Read more

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A Stranger in Tibet To reach the "forbidden city" of Lhasa was the dream of generations of Western explorers. But until 1900 when Kawaguchi Ekai, a young Zen monk, donned a disguise and walked all the way there, few foreigners had ever done so. Clinging staunchly to his chastity; leaving a trail of broken hearts across the Himalayas; oppressed by the cultural impossibility of bathing, yet frequently almost drowned in river crossings; often lost and on the verge of starving or freezing to death; robbed by highwaymen, and taken for a spy; speaking fluently the language of a people he preferred not to understand. This brave, bigoted, and enterprising traveler was eventually to cross Tibet from west to east, study in one of the country's greatest monasteries, and keep his secret there for over a year. His first full length biography is based on memories and the information gathered by the author. Read more

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisherLonely Planet Tibet is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hike around sacred Mt Kailash, join pilgrims at the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest sanctum, or view Mt Everest unobstructed from Rongphu Monastery -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Tibet and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Tibet Travel Guide:Colour maps and images throughout Highlightsand itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential infoat your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including customs, religion, history, art, architecture, literature, music, dance, landscapesCovers Lhasa, Tsang, Kham, Ngari, U, Rawok, Bayi, Tashigang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri, Nyalam, Pomi, Ganzi, Kangding, Lithang, Bathang, Baber, Zhangmu, Gongkar, Kathmandu, Chengdu, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Tibet, our most comprehensive guide to Tibet, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. Read more

I was lately reading the Holy Text of the Saḍḍharma-Puṇdarīka (the Aphorisms of the White Lotus of the Wonderful or True Law) in a Samskṛṭ manuscript under a Boḍhi-tree near Mṛga-Ḍāva (Sāranāṭh), Benares. Here our Blessed Lord Buḍḍha Shākya-Muni taught His Holy Ḍharma just after the accomplishment of His Buḍḍhahood at Buḍḍhagayā. Whilst doing so, I was reminded of the time, eighteen years ago, when I had read the same text in Chinese at a great Monastery named Ohbakusang at Kyoto in Japan, a reading which determined me to undertake a visit to Tibet.It was in March, 1891, that I gave up the Rectorship of the Monastery of Gohyakurakan in Tokyo, and left for Kyoto, where I remained living as a hermit for about three years, totally absorbed in the study of a large collection of Buḍḍhist books in the Chinese language. My object in doing so was to fulfil a long-felt desire to translate the texts into Japanese in an easy style from the difficult and unintelligible Chinese.But I afterwards found that it was not a wise thing to rely upon the Chinese texts alone, without comparing them with Tibetan translations as well as with the original Samskṛṭ texts which are contained in Mahāyāna Buḍḍhism. The Buḍḍhist Samskṛṭ texts were to be found in Tibet and Nepāl. Of course, many of them had been discovered by European Orientalists in Nepāl and a few in other parts of India and Japan. But those texts had not yet been found which included the most important manuscripts of which Buḍḍhist scholars were in great want. Then again, the Tibetan texts were famous for being[vi] more accurate translations than the Chinese. Now I do not say that the Tibetan translations are superior to the Chinese. As literal translations, I think that they are superior; but, for their general meaning, the Chinese are far better than the Tibetan. Read more

A father's diary, an artist's memoir.By the author of the best-selling Three Golden Keys.While my father was in China and Tibet, he kept a diary, which was later locked in a red box. We weren't allowed to touch the box. The stories I heard as a little boy faded to a hazy dream, and my drawings from that time make no sense. I cannot decipher them. It was not until I myself had gone far, far away and received the message from my father that I became interested in the red box again . . .In New York, Peter Sis receives a letter from his father. "The Red Box is now yours," it says. The brief note worries him and pulls him back to Prague, where the contents of the red box explain the mystery of his father's long absence during the 1950s.Czechoslovakia was behind the iron curtain; Vladimir Sis, a documentary filmmaker of considerable talent, was drafted into the army and sent to China to teach filmmaking. He left his wife, daughter, and young son, Peter, thinking he would be home for Christmas. Two Christmases would pass before he was heard from again: Vladimir Sis was lost in Tibet. He met with the Dalai Lama; he witnessed China's invasion of Tibet. When he returned to Prague, he dared not talk to his friends about all he had seen and experienced. But over and over again he told Peter about his Tibetan adventures. Weaving their two stories together - that of the father lost in Tibet and that of the small boy in Prague, lost without his father - Sis draws from his father's diary and from his own recollections of his father's incredible tales to reach a spiritual homecoming between father and son. With his sublime pictures, inspired by Tibetan Buddhist art and linking history to memory, Peter Sis gives us an extraordinary book - a work of singular artistry and rare imagination. This title has Common Core connections.Tibet Through the Red Box is a 1999 Caldecott Honor Book and the winner of the 1999 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Special Citation. Read more

This selection of 108 portrait images documents several journeys made by Diane Barker to join in the everyday lives of the ancient nomadic people of Tibet, one of the last great surviving nomad communities in the world Taken over the course of thirty years, the photographs share the timeless practices and traditions of the nomadic lifestyle as well as the shifts and changes which have become visible in more recent times, seeing them at work. This collection offers a uniquely personal insight into these natural stewards of the land. Read more

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