The Way of White Clouds: A Buddhist Pilgrim in Tibet (Shambhala Dragon Editions)

by Lama Anagarika Govinda

Paperback, 1988

Status

Available

Call number

294.3

Collection

Publication

Shambhala (1988), Edition: Reprint, 305 pages

Description

'It tells of terrible journeys, of men masked against the sun (riding through ethereal regions with their feet frozen), of welcoming fog-girt monasteries lit by butter lamps at the journey's end' New Statesman The Way of the White Clouds is the remarkable narrative of a pilgrimage which could not be made today. Lama Anagarika Govinda was among the last to journey through Tibet before its invasion by the Chinese. His unique account is not only a spectacular and gloriously poetic story of exploration and discovery, it is also invaluable for its sensitive and clearly presented interpretation of the Tibetan tradition. 'Why is it that the fate of Tibet has found such a deep echo in the world? There can only be one answer: Tibet has become the symbol of all that present-day humanity is longing for' Lama Anagarika Govinda… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member le.vert.galant
Fascinating memoir of Tibet just prior to the Chinese invasion written by a European born Buddhist scholar. While text has a few slow spots and is somewhat disorganized, the poetic description of the Kailas kora and the insights into Tibetan monastic culture more than make up for any weaknesses.
LibraryThing member RajivC
This book simply took my breath away. I discovered the book when I was reading a book called "Himalaya". Intrigued, I decided to buy it.

There was a world of famous explorers, and then there is a world of explorers who were incredible in many ways. Lama Angarika Govinda falls into the latter
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category. This is travel at an extremely difficult level. It is a travel that is both external, and internal. He forces you to look into yourself, while taking you on a journey through a world that is probably disappearing fast.

This is probably the last image of a Tibet that existed, and is definitely not there anymore. The exploration of Buddhism, and of the worlds of Tibet is incredible.

Its a picture of a world that has, sadly disappeared. Of a culture that is now being ground underfoot.

This is an incredible book.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1966

Physical description

305 p.; 8.8 inches

ISBN

0877730075 / 9780877730071

Local notes

GdP

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