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Civilized
Shamans
Buddhism in Tibetan Societies
Author: Geoffrey Samuel
ISBN:
Size:21x14
Edition: HB
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Rs. 1,600.00
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Edition: PB
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Rs. 1,400.00
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About the book
Civilized Shamans examines the nature and evolution of religion in Tibetan
societies from the ninth century up to the Chinese occupation in 1950. Geoffrey
Samuel argues that religion in these societies developed as a dynamic amalgam
of strands of Indian Buddhism and the indigenous spirit-cults of Tibet.
Samuel stresses the diversity of Tibetan societies, demonstrating that central
Tibet, the Dalai Lama's government at Lhasa, and the great monastic institutions
around Lhasa formed only a part of the context within which Tibetan Buddhism
matured. Employing anthropological research, historical inquiry, rich interview
material, and a deep understanding of religious texts, the author explores
the relationship between Tibet's social and political institutions and the
emergence of new modes of consciousness that characterize Tibetan Buddhist
spirituality. Samuel identifies the two main orientations of this religion
as clerical (primarily monastic) and shamanic (associated with Tantric yoga).
The specific form that Buddhism has taken in Tibet is rooted in the pursuit
of enlightenment by a minority of the people-lamas, monks, and yogins-and
the desire for shamanic services (in quest of health, long life, and prosperity)
by the majority. Shamanic traditions of achieving altered states of consciousness
have been incorporated into Tantric Buddhism, which aims to communicate
with Tantric deities through yoga. The author contends that this incorporation
forms the basis for much of the Tibetan lamas' role in their society and
that their subtle scholarship reflects the many ways in which they have
reconciled the shamanic and clerical orientations.
This book, the first full account of Tibetan Buddhism in two decades, ranges
as no other study has over several disciplines and languages, incorporating
historical and anthropological discussion. Viewing Tibetan Buddhism as one
of the great spiritual and psychological achievements of humanity, Samuel
analyzes a complex society that combines the literacy and rationality associated
with centralized states with the shamanic processes more familiar among
tribal peoples. |
