Teoria e pratica del mandala: con particolare riguardo alla moderna psicologia del profondo

by Giuseppe Tucci

Ricostruzione negli schemi essenziali della teoria e pratica dei mandala (psicocosmogrammi), nei quali si rivela l’arcano gioco delle forze che operano nell’universo e in noi medesimi. Un classico del massimo studioso contemporaneo del mondo tibetano, tradotto in numerose lingue.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Giuseppe Tucci was a scholar of oriental cultures, specializing in Tibet and the history of Buddhism. He taught at the University of Rome La Sapienza until his death, though he remained a visiting scholar at institutions throughout Europe and Asia, and served as the first Chair of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Naples from 1931. He is considered one of the founders of the academic field of Buddhist Studies.

Reviews

[Paul Hoehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this from the library because Thomas Merton was reading it while writing his The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton. I think Merton's quotations cover most of the interesting directions of this book, but they don't really amount to a coherent picture. So, I wanted to read Tucci. As a non-expert, this seems like a good survey of the topic, balancing the perspective of a scholar and practitioner as well as ecumenicism and allegiance to a tradition. The second and third chapters are, for me, the strongest, with their straightforward account of the symbols/design and use of mandalas. The first chapter is as useful a survey of interconnected South Asian Tantric traditions as I have found. The final chapter felt a little strange to me, scattered. I think Tucci takes for granted the translation of some of the principles of the first chapter into a map of the human body. Likewise, it wasn't always clear to me how much of the theological content was meant to be read metaphorically (although at times this is heavily emphasized). In any case, I imagine there are wide doctrinal differences among traditions and individual practitioners. Re: these differences, Tucci's occasional dismissals of the non-Tibetan traditions are quite lurid, the stuff of anti-Catholic Gothic novels! I took them with a grain of salt, although they did augment the entertainment value of this study. More significant is the awkwardness of the translation. Although this is probably the best survey of the Tantric traditions I have found, I'm glad I have read some sketchier or more specific accounts to familiarize me with the terrestrial terrain. It allowed me to read between the lines of Tucci and intuit the probable intended meaning. The long block quotes also failed to hold my interest most of the time, although other readers may appreciate them.

[Peter A Bolds · Rating 1 out of 5]

Expected some pic

Expected some pics, examples, none. Disappointed that no were given. I think I can get more info by looking at youtube

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The outcome of reading a book containing complex metaphysical topics written by a scholastic author is normally a sterile discussion devoid of any true spiritual meaning - the result of not having practiced the spiritual tradition of which is written. Occasionally we are lucky enough to encounter an author who has not only studied what is written of, but is also a practitioner of the studies. Fortunately this is the case with Professor Giuseppe Tucci and his book The Theory and Practice of the Mandala.

Professor Tucci's lifetime work was focused on Oriental spiritual beliefs with a majority of his time spent with the Tibetans prior to their in situ cultural destruction and diaspora by the Communist Chinese. It goes without saying his experience with Bon and Tibetan Buddhism provides a significant background for this work. Professor Tucci also incorporates to a greater extent mandala usage in Hindu beliefs and to a lesser in the Jain spiritual tradition.

The Theory and Practice of the Mandala's organization is supportive of stepping the reader through a discussion of the mandala's usage within Hindu and Buddhist traditions. That said this is not a book I would recommend to someone lacking a background in Mahayana Buddhism and esoteric practices. Professor Tucci's writing is succinct in its discussion of the topic and doesn't take the time to provide details outside of the book's scope. This topical focus will loose most casual readers in the first chapter.

The Theory and Practice of the Mandala is comprised of five chapters and an appendix of mandalas with their descriptions. The initial chapter provides a very detailed doctrinal basis of the mandala in Hindu and Buddhist spiritual beliefs. Following chapters delve deeper into the doctrine of dispersion and reintegration, the symbolism used within a mandala, mandala liturgy with significant samples and a discussion on the mandala's use as the tool of unification between the universe and the practitioner. For those that practice esoteric traditions this book is an excellent mandala primer. It does not teach a particular practice, but does an outstanding job providing a background understanding of how the mandala is utilized and the basis for it's use.

In the Professor's writing one can read a hint here and there of how Jungian archetypes and late antiquity Platonic metaphysics correspond with the mandala's physiological doctrinal use by the Orient. It would have been a great boon for either Professor Tucci or one of his students to follow up with additional research which would investigate how the usage of the mandala relates to Occidental ideas and practices of the same. I believe there might be some great insights into the purpose of neo-Platonic praxis - specifically invocation and evocation of deities - when using the mandala theory as a basis for understanding across both the East and West.

The Professor's writing has a penchant for run on sentences - my only criticism of his book. Whether this is an artifact of the translation I have not a clue. The run on sentences seem to occur when significant concepts are being conveyed. This provides an opportunity for the reader to study not only the mandala, but Tucci's writing style as one devils out what the Professor is trying to convey.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic introduction to the mandala and its use as a vehicle for integration of the subconscious.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, quite dense. I didn't finish it, though I probably will someday.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dense, academic book. Is this someone's masters or doctoral thesis? lol