Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism

by Anagarika Govinda

A complete explanation of the esoteric principles of Mantra that also clarifies the differences between Hindu and Tibetan yoga. Translated into many languages, this is an important text for any student of Buddhism. With bibliography, index, and illustrations.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Mysticism, Zen, Philosophy

331 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1969

About the author

Lama Anagarika Govinda, born Ernst Lothar Hoffmann, was the founder of the order of the Arya Maitreya Mandala and an expositor of Tibetan Buddhism, Abhidharma, and Buddhist meditation as well as other aspects of Buddhism. He was also a painter and poet.
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Lama Anagarika Govinda ist einer der bekanntesten buddhistischen Gelehrten und Schriftsteller aus dem Westen. Der gebürtige Deutsche studierte Philosophie, Religionswissenschaft und Archäologie in Freiburg, Neapel und Cagliari. Nach intensiven Jahren buddhistischen Studiums und reger Vortragstätigkeit in Indien lernte er 1931 durch Tomo Geshe Rinpoche den tibetischen Buddhismus kennen. Auf ausgedehnten Forschungsreisen in Tibet wurde dieser seine geistige Heimat (Source: https://www.amazon.de/weißen-Wolken-L...)

Reviews

[Jonathanstray Stray]

Found a battered copy in an attic in Nepal. Then met a serious Tibetan scholar who claims it's junk. But whatever, could be interesting.

[Alison McLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the original version of this book with a price sticker for .35, which I must have picked up at a used bookstore long ago. It sat on my shelf for years. I think I tried to read it when I was a bit younger but it didn't resonate. I've had a few mystical experiences over the past couple of years. This book helps me put them into (a) perspective, which seems rooted in a long tradition rather than New Agism and spiritual materialism. So grateful that this book has endured so many moves and found its way back to me when I'm in need. If the book doesn't resonate with you at first, keep it on your shelf. Someday it might be just what you need. Thank you Lama Anagarika Govinda.

[Jim McGurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This provided more clarity into some difficult topics, many of the aspects of the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, the bodies of the Buddha, meditation's effects on the chakras, a very lucid explanation of the Wheel of Life and our travels in samsara, relative and absolute reality, and so much more. A lot of it was beyond me at this time, but it afforded me insights that I hadn't experienced before, and it is a wonderful book.

[TΞΞL❍CK Mith!lesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

¨Om mani padme hum¨

Mantras may be interpreted by practitioners in many ways, or even as mere sequences of sound whose effects lie beyond strict semantic meaning.

The book Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism by Lama Anagarika Govinda, gives a classic example of how such a mantra can contain many levels of symbolic meaning.

[Irene Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is well written. It is deep and I like reading it slowly, savoring it. I like rereading parts of it.

[Bjm Index]

1

[Bodo Balsys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book. An excellent way of bringing Buddhism to the West. I reference Govinda in many of my books. Well worth the read.

[JD Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is something for those who already have some background in Buddhism, Tibetan culture, and the importance of mantra in India from whence most of the important Buddhist teachers came from as they spread their way of life to Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Far East. I found it a big help that the author puts a lot of the more technical terms in Tibetan, Pali, and Sanskrit. I would recommend that the reader consult a translation of the Bardö Thödol (not necessarily the Lama Samdup & Evans-Wentz translation) for a good description of the five wisdoms as it comprises much of the subject matter of this book.

[Benno Readsabit · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best introductions to the esoteric Buddhist philosophy and the actual practices of Tibetan Mysticism. Llama Govinda's way of expressing deep truths and beliefs in Tibetan Buddhism are very approachable, though beautifully poetic and heady and technical enough when they need to be. Wonderful diagrams, pictures and illustrations throughout. He brings about as much logical rigor as one possibly can to esotericism. For anyone at any level of understanding of Buddhism, this is a great book to learn a LOT.

[Dominic · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a beginner to Buddhism this book is incredibly difficult to read. It’s written as a research book with many references to Sanskrit words and holy people/places that meant little to me. Parts were wonderful! Especially the section on HUM and the last 100 or so pages. Other parts were a pain to get through. The only way I could recommend this book is if you have a pretty thorough background in Buddhism.

[Cecile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! If you are looking for a good introduction into Tibetan Mysticism then this book is a must read!

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting overview of Tibetan Buddhism by a western convert who studied in Tibet before the Chinese invasion.

[Kristen Ringman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read...

[Bùi Long]

I like to study the Tibetan Buddism