The Epic of Gesar of Ling: Gesar's Magical Birth, Early Years, and Coronation as King Contributor(s): Kornman, Robin (Translator), Chonam, Lama (Translator), Khandro, Sangye (Translator) |
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ISBN: 1611800951 ISBN-13: 9781611800951 Publisher: Shambhala OUR PRICE: $44.96 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: May 2015 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Religion | Buddhism - Tibetan - Literary Criticism | Asian - Indic - History | Asia - General |
Dewey: 895.4 |
Physical Information: 2" H x 6.9" W x 10.1" (3.20 lbs) 680 pages |
Themes: - Religious Orientation - Buddhist - Cultural Region - Indian - Cultural Region - Asian |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: The first and only English translation of the centuries-old Tibetan spiritual allegory of King Gesar, a tale on a par with The Arabian Nights or the King Arthur stories. For hundreds of years, versions of the Gesar of Ling epic have been sung by bards in Tibet, China, Central Asia, and across the eastern Silk Route. King Gesar, renowned throughout these areas, represents the ideal warrior. As a leader with his people's loyalty and trust, he conquers all their enemies and protects the peace. The example of King Gesar is also understood as a spiritual teaching. The enemies in the stories represent the emotional and psychological challenges that turn people toward greed, aggression, and envy and away from the true teachings of Buddhism. The epic of Gesar is the longest single piece of literature in the world canon, encompassing some 120 volumes; here the first three volumes are translated, telling of Gesar's birth, his mischievous childhood and his youth spent in exile, and his rivalry for the throne with his treacherous uncle. |