To Tibetan Buddhists, Mount Kailash is the most magical place on earth, a place where one's prayers are answered instantly. The journey to the diamond-shaped peak is arduous, as it is located in the heart of the world's tallest mountains; yet it is well worth the effort. For according to tradition, one trip around the sacred mountain at 17,500 feet can wipe away the sins of a lifetime. It was this promise of transformation that inspired Robert Thurman, preeminent Buddhist scholar and teacher, to lead a group of eager pilgrims on the spiritual trek of a lifetime. Among the group was a former student and longtime friend, Tad Wise. Together, Thurman and Wise recount their experience circling the mountain, in chapters that counterpoint the most profound inner teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with a magnificent description of a land of awesome beauty and unexpected hardships. Thurman serves as the group's spiritual leader. Through the wisdom and insight gained from years of study in India with the Dalai Lama and other gurus, he offers his fellow companions a rich understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, including techniques of meditation, visualization, compassion, and selflessness. Meanwhile, Wise describes in vivid detail the soaring mountains and breathtaking vistas of this hidden land of snows. He also chronicles the difficulties he faces as he tries to incorporate Thurman's accelerated Buddhist teachings into his own life. Together they take us deep into Chinese-occupied Tibet to visit sites few Westerners have ever seen: sacred graveyards, meditation caves of ancient masters, and majestic monasteries. As they navigate perilous mountain passages, Thurman guides the travelers past the pitfalls of spiritual life to the realization of the Buddha's promise of liberation from human suffering. Chronicling the inner as well as the outer journey, confrontations both physical and metaphysical, Circling the Sacred Mountain serves as an inspiring metaphor for the challenging passage to enlightenment open to each of us.

Circling the Sacred Mountain : A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas

Religion & Spirituality

Wise, Tad

Thurman, Robert

Buddhism

Bantam]

In the tradition of The Snow Leopard, Circling the Sacred Mountain is a remarkable account of spiritual adventure through the magical and forbidding landscape of remote western Tibet. A promise of spiritual transformation inspired Robert Thurman-renowned Buddhist scholar, teacher, and close friend of the Dalai Lama-to take a group of trekkers to Mount Kailash, the holiest of Himalayan mountains, and teach them an accelerated path of Tibetan Buddhism. Among the group was a former student and longtime friend, Tad Wise, who struggles with Thurman's teachings as much as with the rigors of high altitude. Together, they take us through an ominous border crossing to sites few Westerners have seen: sacred graveyards, majestic monasteries, and the meditation caves of ancient masters. Chronicling the inner as well as the outer journey, confrontations both physical and metaphysical, Circling the Sacred Mountain is an exciting account of a challenging journey towards enlightenment.

Circling the Sacred Mountain: A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas

Biographies & Memoirs

Community & Culture

High on the Tibetan Plateau, colorful prayer flags flutter, blowing the blessings of the Buddha out over all the Earth. Blessings on the Wind offers a unique way to practice sacred customs and enhance good fortune with a set of five authentic, traditional Tibetan prayer flags accompanied by a beautifully illustrated hardcover book. The companion volume details the history and origin of Tibetan prayer flags, explaining their rich meaning and offering advice on how to display them most auspiciously. A foreword by renowned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism Robert Thurman, along with explanations of the meaningful symbols printed on the flags, translations of mantras, and meditations to accompany rituals, together offer hands-on insights into the beauty and wisdom of Tibetan beliefs. For newcomers and longtime Buddhists alike, Blessings on the Wind offers a tangible way to promote good karma and celebrate Buddhist traditions.

Blessings on the Wind: The Mystery & Meaning of Tibetan Prayer Flags

Chronicle Books+

The true father of radio, and the inventor of fluorescent lighting, remote control, and robotics, Nikola Tesla (1856-1942) opened the door to the modern world. Now, in the tradition of Ragtime, a vibrant and compelling historical novel about the bizarre and tragic life of one of the great scientific minds of all time.

Tesla: A Biographical Novel of the World's Greatest Inventor

Literature & Fiction

Contemporary

Turner Pub

This gallery of art and wisdom offers unique, multidimensional meditation. Traditionally, meditation on Tibetan Buddhist deities allows the practitioner to assimilate their divine qualities. Tibetan Buddhist Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom offers a novel approach to inspire meditation: the pop-up altar. This colorful collection of three-dimensional renderings of traditional thangka paintings features five important deities presented in stunning pop-up scenes, paired with appropriate mantras and brief histories. This portable shrine contains altars that venerate five distinct key figures: Shakyamuni Buddha inspires morality and reflection, Padmapani Avalokiteshvara teaches compassion, Green Tara protects from fear and brings longevity, Manjushri inspires knowledge and wisdom, and the Medicine Buddha alleviates affliction and suffering. Both practical and whimsical, this one-of-a-kind gift book is sure to be a hit with both followers of Buddhism and lovers of art alike.

Tibetan Buddhist Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom

Carter, David A.

Beers, Robert

New World Library

The home altar has become an increasingly popular tool for contemporary seekers, allowing them to tap their spirituality informally, at any time of the day. This charming book puts a new twist on the phenomenon by showcasing female Buddhist deities in a delightfully unusual format. Designed to resemble a Tibetan temple, the book presents stunning three-dimensional renderings of traditional thangka paintings. It features doors that open from the middle of the front cover, a sturdy tab-insert closure, and elastic loops to hold each altar firmly in place. Four important goddesses appear here. White Tara pacifies illness and removes obstacles; Vanshudara increases prosperity, fertility, and happiness; Kurukulla helps attract and influence through the power of love and desire; and Vajrayogini aids in developing the enlightened union of Great Bliss and Emptiness. With the assistance of these colorful altars and an informative text about the symbolic art, visualization can blossom into multidimensional meditation.

Tibetan Buddhist Goddess Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom

Beer, Robert

Foster, Bruce

Covers the life of a brilliant inventor and his doomed passage through America's Gilded Age, as his inventions triumph, but ultimately lead to tragedy

Tesla: A Novel

United States

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