This beautiful Tibetan manuscript from the Fournier Collection at the Musee Guimet, Paris, recounts in words and images the visionary experiences of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyamtso (1617-1682). It is the sole illustrated secret autobiography of a Tibetan lama known to exist and was until recently concealed both from Tibetans and others alike. Although it never circulated outside his personal court, the Dalai Lama clearly states that it was composed and executed "in order to guide the uninitiated and-for all those who wish to do drawings and paintings of the heavens". 
The 67 illustrations, reproduced in full color, contain a total of around 886 individual subjects and consist of diptychs and triptychs which are grouped into five sections associated with the main participating deities. They represent the finest-known quality in miniature style Tibetan art and stand as the earliest manifestation of the 'black thangka' style of painting. The leaves are executed in gold, silver, subtle greens, blues and reds against a charcoal black background. Up to 48 different ritual objects can be depicted in an illustration and all have been full identified in the corresponding captions, with their ritual use explained in a comprehensive Glossary.

Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama: The Gold Manuscript in the Fournier Collection Musee Guimet, Paris

Arts & Photography

Samten Gyaltsen Karmay

History & Criticism

Serindia Publications

The Illusive Play: The Autobiography of the Fifth Dalai Lama is an English translation of the autobiography of Ngagwang Lobzang Gyatsho, the Fifth Dalai Lama (1617-1682). The work is of exceptional value because it has taken such care to give a precise chronology throughout its entire length. Lobzang Gyatsho s autobiography is therefore a veritable witness to the life and culture of Tibet in the 17th century, which was a formative period for the establishment of the Tibetan Buddhist theocracy. In addition, the major events in which he himself played a pivotal role are presented: the overthrow of the king of Tsang, the creation of the Tibetan theocratic state with the founding of the Gaden Photrang government, the building of the Potala Palace and the undertaking of major diplomatic relationships with foreign powers, such as the Mongols and the Manchu empire. All these events are either alluded to or fully recounted in a personal way, so that on reading them one cannot help but feel the momentous occasions which the author recounts from his own experience.

The Illusive Play: The Autobiography of the Fifth Dalai Lama

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Serindia Publications, Inc.

The Legs bshad mdzod, which is here edited and translated into English for the first time, is a history of Tibetan religion known as Bon. It gives a full account of this ancient religion, its origins and development, its struggles against the later imported Buddhism, and its fight for survival in spite of persecution and even abolition on two occasions. the reassembly of the scriptures dispersed at these times is major object of attention. In his introduction the editor makes an assessment of the historical value of the work and considers the extent of its reliability and factual accuracy. He has also, here and in the footnotes to the translation, indicated its sources which are extremely numerous and varied. The transliteration of the Tibetan text is followed by two indices of names and a short glossary of rare terms.

The Treasury of Good Sayings: The Tibetan History of Bon

History

Asia

Motilal Banarsidass

This New Edition of the book is published by Vajra Publications.

The Call of the Blue Cuckoo: An Anthology of Nine Bonpo Texts on Myths and Rituals

Religion & Spirituality

Vajra Books

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Books by Samten Gyaltsen Karmay