In this lively and visually engaging work on Western conceptions of Tibet, anthropologist Martin Brauen paints a vivid portrait of misinterpretation, trivialization, and political and commercial exploitation of a rich and ancient culture. Starting with romantic notions of 17th-century adventurers in search of a Himalayan Utopia, Brauen discusses misconceptions both amusing and disturbing, such as the distortions of 20th-century neo-Nazis. The author also details the cynical exploitation of Tibetan Buddhism—a fundamental objective of which is the elimination of human greed—to further Western commercial aims. Nor does Brauen absolve Tibetans themselves in the use of the more benign, even flattering, of these distorted images, as they strive to draw the world's attention to their own politically and socially tenuous situation. Here the author lists the traditionally tolerant nature of Buddhist beliefs, the tendency of Tibetans to submit without question to authority figures, and some inherent naiveté as contributing factors. The book concludes with a caution on the dangers that these misconceptions pose to a mature presentation of the great value that Tibetan culture holds for the world. The illustrations are a fascinating and diverse collection drawn from movies, comic books, and popular literature. Illustrations of the commercial packaging of Tibet, its spiritual icons and religious leaders, are vivid and at times even shocking, as they portray the promotion of products ranging from cars to cosmetics, T-shirts, ash trays, and even soft pornography. In a world in which the elimination of cultural misunderstanding may be the key to ending human strife, Dreamworld Tibet offers a thoughtful and timely contribution.

Dreamworld Tibet: Western Illusions

Politics & Social Sciences

Brauen, Martin

Social Sciences

Weatherhill

A symbolic representation of the elements of the universe, the mandala is a mysterious and often misunderstood sacred image and ritual tool in Tantric Buddhism. The Mandala provides a thorough study, with sensational color photographs, of the different aspects of this traditional form of sacred art.

The Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism

Religion & Spirituality

Buddhism

Shambhala

Named a Choice Outstanding Academic Book of 1997, and featuring a foreword by the Dalai Lama, a lavish study of a Tibetan Buddhist initiation ritual includes diagrams, photographs, and visual representations of the mandala principle. Reprint.

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

Feste in Ladakh (German Edition)

Akademische Druck- U. Verlagsanstalt

Das Mandala: Der heilige Kreis im tantrischen Buddhismus (German Edition)

Dumont Buchverlag

Numerous digital models of the mandala describe it structurally and elucidate this complex form of Tantric practice in understandable terms.

Mandala

Arnoldsche Verlagsanstalt

In April 1941 Charmion von Wiegand (1896-1983), an American journalist and artist, met Piet Mondrian for an interview. From this very first meeting, a deep friendship and working relationship developed; she translated Mondrian's texts into English and edited them, discussed art and philosophy with him, and played a part in the evolution of many of the works he created up to his death in 1944. The artist's memoirs of their encounters and their comprehensive correspondence have now been published in this volume for the very first time. The texts portray a relationship fluctuating between burning affection and distant friendship, tenderness and harsh rejection, openness and reticence. A relationship that has left behind clear traces in Charmion von Wiegand's life and works--far beyond Mondrian's death A Sameness Between Us contains memoirs and correspondence that decipher the enigmatic character of Piet Mondrian, makes life in New York in the 1940s tangible and, last but not least, traces an unfulfilled love story

A Sameness Between Us: The Friendship of Charmion von Wiegand and Piet Mondrian in Letters and Memoirs

Humor & Entertainment

Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism

A lively, engaging work on conceptions of Tibet in Western societies, portraying the misinterpretation, trivialization and political and commercial exploitation of a rich, ancient culture.

Orchid Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Brauen, Martin. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Brauen, Martin

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Brauen, Martin. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Dreamworld Tibet: Western Illusions

The Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism

The Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism

Feste in Ladakh (German Edition)

Das Mandala: Der heilige Kreis im tantrischen Buddhismus (German Edition)

Mandala

A Sameness Between Us: The Friendship of Charmion von Wiegand and Piet Mondrian in Letters and Memoirs

Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism

Dreamworld Tibet: Western Illusions