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The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects
A short, accessible, and well-written guide to Buddhism by the remarkable Alexandra David-Neel.
" The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden, is always on my night stand. I return to it again and again in different stages of my life."— Marina Ambramovic, artist This is an account of the Madhyamika (Middle Way) school of Buddhism, a method of mediation and enlightenment that was developed by the great Indian teacher Nagarjuna. In a collaboration between the Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel and her friend, the Tibetan lama Aphur Yongden, these teaching are presented clearly and elegantly, intended for the layman who seeks a way to practice and experience the realization of oneness with all existence. " . . . this is the most direct, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth explanation of Mahayana Buddhism that has been written. Specifically, it is a wonderfully lucid account of the Middle Way method of enlightenment worked out by the great Indian sage Nagarjuna." —Alan Watts, The Book "David-Neél herself is often relegated to the ranks of 'women adventurers' this despite the production of some forty-odd books, several of which have wielded an extraordinary influence." —Harry Oldmeadow, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia Alexandra David-Neel was born in 1868 in Paris. In her youth she wrote an incendiary anarchist treatise and was an acclaimed opera singer; then she decided to devote her life to exploration and the study of world religions, including Buddhist philosophy. She traveled extensively to in Central Asia and the Far East, where she learned a number of Asian languages, including Tibetan. In 1914, she met Lama Yongden, who became her adopted son, teacher and companion. In 1923, at the age of fifty-five, she disguised herself as a pilgrim and journeyed to Tibet, where she was the first European woman to enter Lhasa, which was closed to foreigners at the time. In her late seventies, she settled in the south of France, where she lived until her death at 101 in 1969.
" The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden, is always on my night stand. I return to it again and again in different stages of my life."— Marina Ambramovic, artist This is an account of the Madhyamika (Middle Way) school of Buddhism, a method of mediation and enlightenment that was developed by the great Indian teacher Nagarjuna. In a collaboration between the Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel and her friend, the Tibetan lama Aphur Yongden, these teaching are presented clearly and elegantly, intended for the layman who seeks a way to practice and experience the realization of oneness with all existence. " . . . this is the most direct, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth explanation of Mahayana Buddhism that has been written. Specifically, it is a wonderfully lucid account of the Middle Way method of enlightenment worked out by the great Indian sage Nagarjuna." —Alan Watts, The Book "David-Neél herself is often relegated to the ranks of 'women adventurers' this despite the production of some forty-odd books, several of which have wielded an extraordinary influence." —Harry Oldmeadow, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia Alexandra David-Neel was born in 1868 in Paris. In her youth she wrote an incendiary anarchist treatise and was an acclaimed opera singer; then she decided to devote her life to exploration and the study of world religions, including Buddhist philosophy. She traveled extensively to in Central Asia and the Far East, where she learned a number of Asian languages, including Tibetan. In 1914, she met Lama Yongden, who became her adopted son, teacher and companion. In 1923, at the age of fifty-five, she disguised herself as a pilgrim and journeyed to Tibet, where she was the first European woman to enter Lhasa, which was closed to foreigners at the time. In her late seventies, she settled in the south of France, where she lived until her death at 101 in 1969.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
36 people are currently reading
1126 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra David-Néel
122 books245 followersAlexandra David-Néel was an explorer, anarchist, spiritualist, Buddhist and writer. She is most known for her visit to the forbidden (to foreigners) city of Lhasa, capital of Tibet (1924). She was born in Paris, France and died in Digne, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. She wrote more than 30 books, about Eastern religion, philosophy, and her travels. Her well-documented teachings influenced the beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, and philosopher Alan Watts.
Her real name was Louise Eugenie Alexandrine Marie David. During her childhood she had a strong desire for freedom and spirituality. At the age of 18, she had already visited England, Switzerland and Spain on her own, and she was studying in Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society.
In 1890 and 1891, she traveled through India, returning only when running out of money. In Tunis she met the railroad engineer Philippe Néel, whom she married in 1904.
In 1911 Alexandra traveled for the second time to India, to further her study of Buddhism. She was invited to the royal monastery of Sikkim, where she met Maharaj Kumar (crown prince) Sidkeon Tulku. She became Sidkeong's "confidante and spiritual sister" (according to Ruth Middleton), perhaps his lover (Foster & Foster). She also met the thirteenth Dalai Lama twice in 1912, and had the opportunity to ask him many questions about Buddhism—a feat unprecedented for a European woman at that time.
In the period 1914-1916 she lived in a cave in Sikkim, near the Tibetan border, learning spirituality, together with the Tibetan monk Aphur Yongden, who became her lifelong traveling companion, and whom she would adopt later. From there they trespassed into Tibetan territory, meeting the Panchen Lama in Shigatse (August 1916). When the British authorities learned about this—Sikkim was then a British protectorate—Alexandra and Yongden had to leave the country, and, unable to return to Europe in the middle of World War I, they traveled to Japan.
There Alexandra met Ekai Kawaguchi, who had visited Lhasa in 1901 disguised as a Chinese doctor, and this inspired her to visit Lhasa disguised as pilgrims. After traversing China from east to west, they reached Lhasa in 1924, and spent 2 months there.
In 1928 Alexandra separated from Philippe. Later they would reconcile, and Philippe kept supporting her till his death in 1941. Alexandra settled in Digne, and during the next 10 years she wrote books.
In 1937, Yongden and Alexandra went to China, traveling there during the second World War, returning to France only in 1946. She was then 78 years old.
In 1955 Yongden died. Alexandra continued to study and write till her death at age 100.
Her real name was Louise Eugenie Alexandrine Marie David. During her childhood she had a strong desire for freedom and spirituality. At the age of 18, she had already visited England, Switzerland and Spain on her own, and she was studying in Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society.
In 1890 and 1891, she traveled through India, returning only when running out of money. In Tunis she met the railroad engineer Philippe Néel, whom she married in 1904.
In 1911 Alexandra traveled for the second time to India, to further her study of Buddhism. She was invited to the royal monastery of Sikkim, where she met Maharaj Kumar (crown prince) Sidkeon Tulku. She became Sidkeong's "confidante and spiritual sister" (according to Ruth Middleton), perhaps his lover (Foster & Foster). She also met the thirteenth Dalai Lama twice in 1912, and had the opportunity to ask him many questions about Buddhism—a feat unprecedented for a European woman at that time.
In the period 1914-1916 she lived in a cave in Sikkim, near the Tibetan border, learning spirituality, together with the Tibetan monk Aphur Yongden, who became her lifelong traveling companion, and whom she would adopt later. From there they trespassed into Tibetan territory, meeting the Panchen Lama in Shigatse (August 1916). When the British authorities learned about this—Sikkim was then a British protectorate—Alexandra and Yongden had to leave the country, and, unable to return to Europe in the middle of World War I, they traveled to Japan.
There Alexandra met Ekai Kawaguchi, who had visited Lhasa in 1901 disguised as a Chinese doctor, and this inspired her to visit Lhasa disguised as pilgrims. After traversing China from east to west, they reached Lhasa in 1924, and spent 2 months there.
In 1928 Alexandra separated from Philippe. Later they would reconcile, and Philippe kept supporting her till his death in 1941. Alexandra settled in Digne, and during the next 10 years she wrote books.
In 1937, Yongden and Alexandra went to China, traveling there during the second World War, returning to France only in 1946. She was then 78 years old.
In 1955 Yongden died. Alexandra continued to study and write till her death at age 100.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 26, 2020
A couple of months ago I read an introductory book on Tibetan Buddhism written by the Dalai Lama himself (with help), and rated it poorly... my primary complaint being that the text focused too much on offering vocabulary and extensive yet cursory explanations of Buddhist doctrine without much effort into "teaching" the reader the philosophy in a practical sense. This book (Secret Oral Teachings), on the other hand, provides what I was hoping to get out of the Lama's book: a simple yet profound account of the basics of Mahayana Buddhism.
Without sacrificing rigor or overwhelming the reader with jargon, the author here deftly guides the reader through a basic account of Buddhist metaphysics, with emphasis on the ultimate "realization" of the Mahayana philosophy — that the concept of the individual ego held so deeply in the West is fallacious, and that the self (let alone reality as a whole) is nothing but a "void" without self-essence or autonomy. Yeah, it sounds ridiculous reading it here, but the book itself does a very effective job describing its world view. Even if you don't buy into it fully it will certainly promote introspective thoughts you might not have had otherwise (or at least it did for me).
Four stars and not five for two reasons. Sometimes the author strays without a clear focus leading to a lack of clarity in some sections; and secondly because so many of the concepts described within, though no doubt revolutionary when written in the 50s, are somewhat commonplace now and therefore have a lessened impact.
Without sacrificing rigor or overwhelming the reader with jargon, the author here deftly guides the reader through a basic account of Buddhist metaphysics, with emphasis on the ultimate "realization" of the Mahayana philosophy — that the concept of the individual ego held so deeply in the West is fallacious, and that the self (let alone reality as a whole) is nothing but a "void" without self-essence or autonomy. Yeah, it sounds ridiculous reading it here, but the book itself does a very effective job describing its world view. Even if you don't buy into it fully it will certainly promote introspective thoughts you might not have had otherwise (or at least it did for me).
Four stars and not five for two reasons. Sometimes the author strays without a clear focus leading to a lack of clarity in some sections; and secondly because so many of the concepts described within, though no doubt revolutionary when written in the 50s, are somewhat commonplace now and therefore have a lessened impact.
April 17, 2022
It left me with more questions than answers and it lacked clarity sometimes, but the writer warns about that at the beginning of the book. I think it is not a book for beginners and I often had the feeling I'd have understood it better if I had known more in advance.
Important!: the most interesting and revealing content appears in the last ten pages, so you just have to keep on reading!
Important!: the most interesting and revealing content appears in the last ten pages, so you just have to keep on reading!
July 27, 2013
This woman is fascinating. Published in the 50s (?), this book was an early peek into the deeper tenets of Tibetan Buddhism. ADN incorporates a great deal of her own (western) perspective to give the reader some context, and she is clearly very well read in various schools of Buddhist thought, since she makes a number of comparisons between them.
I thought this would be a tough read, but it really wasn't. (To me anyway) it felt very accessible.
I thought this would be a tough read, but it really wasn't. (To me anyway) it felt very accessible.
September 10, 2012
A must read for anyone interested in Tibetan mysticism, as are all of Alexandra David-Neel's books.
July 11, 2016
Filozoficky zaklad tibetskeho buddhismu. O podstate sveta, cloveka a o tom jak je/sebe vnimame, se toho napsalo dost. Cetla jsem toho sice zlomek, ale tohle je hodne zajimave.
May 30, 2021
A secret teaching is, apparently, not really a secret but also something kept secret anyways.
In the first sense of it not being a secret, you are told that these teachings are secret because they will only be understood by a certain type of intelligence, that their meaning can only be pierced by some. Later, you are told that some keep these teachings secret because of the damage they could do if others learned them without piercing into their true meaning.
But everything is void, OK?
This is a very short summary of a set of core teachings in tibetan buddhist philosophy. Described are ideas about sensations and impermanence, the nature of the Ego (Self), the receptacle of consciousness and how seeds of consciousness are expressed, prajna paramita (perfection of wisdom), the path to enlightenment (through nonaction, the direct path, and sudden realization), and emptiness.
I think the text would be too difficult for most to follow, particularly as the philosophy is presented without a foundation - ideas are simply presented without detailing their basis. I am wholly skeptical this is sufficient as an introduction. Vague ideas about energies are introduced and taken for granted, and reality is said to be both continuous and discontinuous (happening in flashes). It is showing the fanciest and flashiest parts of the philosophy and skipping the leg work. The 12 links of interdependent origination are hard to explain but contain so much. They are simply stated and then passed on from. The paramitas are listed, but why bother explaining dana (giving, charity), morality, equanimity, loving-kindness, concentration, etc.?
I suppose because these are not part of the Secret Teachings, but rather general to Buddhism. And so it is important to qualify this book and its scope.
Important as well to qualify that, typical of the time, she carries a handful of prejudices and biases about the Tibetan people into the text as well as a number of factual errors about Theravada Buddhism.
It is best to appreciate this book in terms of how it fits into history and understanding the way the Western world was introduced to Tibet and Eastern philosophy and began to make sense of it. David-Neel opened many doors between people in the West and Eastern ideas, and influenced the development of Eastern ideas in the West in people like Alan Watts and Kerouac. This book was a curiosity for me and I would be interested in reading other accounts of historical attempts by Westerners to explain and transmit ideas of Eastern philosophy.
If you are looking for a more contemporary explanation of the ideas in this book, I would first and foremost recommend Thich Nhat Hanh. His translation and commentary of the Diamond sutra are more accessible and more importantly, told from a less relative point of view.
In the first sense of it not being a secret, you are told that these teachings are secret because they will only be understood by a certain type of intelligence, that their meaning can only be pierced by some. Later, you are told that some keep these teachings secret because of the damage they could do if others learned them without piercing into their true meaning.
But everything is void, OK?
This is a very short summary of a set of core teachings in tibetan buddhist philosophy. Described are ideas about sensations and impermanence, the nature of the Ego (Self), the receptacle of consciousness and how seeds of consciousness are expressed, prajna paramita (perfection of wisdom), the path to enlightenment (through nonaction, the direct path, and sudden realization), and emptiness.
I think the text would be too difficult for most to follow, particularly as the philosophy is presented without a foundation - ideas are simply presented without detailing their basis. I am wholly skeptical this is sufficient as an introduction. Vague ideas about energies are introduced and taken for granted, and reality is said to be both continuous and discontinuous (happening in flashes). It is showing the fanciest and flashiest parts of the philosophy and skipping the leg work. The 12 links of interdependent origination are hard to explain but contain so much. They are simply stated and then passed on from. The paramitas are listed, but why bother explaining dana (giving, charity), morality, equanimity, loving-kindness, concentration, etc.?
I suppose because these are not part of the Secret Teachings, but rather general to Buddhism. And so it is important to qualify this book and its scope.
Important as well to qualify that, typical of the time, she carries a handful of prejudices and biases about the Tibetan people into the text as well as a number of factual errors about Theravada Buddhism.
It is best to appreciate this book in terms of how it fits into history and understanding the way the Western world was introduced to Tibet and Eastern philosophy and began to make sense of it. David-Neel opened many doors between people in the West and Eastern ideas, and influenced the development of Eastern ideas in the West in people like Alan Watts and Kerouac. This book was a curiosity for me and I would be interested in reading other accounts of historical attempts by Westerners to explain and transmit ideas of Eastern philosophy.
If you are looking for a more contemporary explanation of the ideas in this book, I would first and foremost recommend Thich Nhat Hanh. His translation and commentary of the Diamond sutra are more accessible and more importantly, told from a less relative point of view.
January 3, 2023
This book was fairly interesting if somewhat opaque to me due to my ignorance around Buddhism. There were some interesting ideas put forth in the book, I really liked the following quote
Also, the concept that reality is really the aggregation of discrete flashes of energy was interesting. The book does get into the weeds a fair bit in regard to various Buddhist and Hindu sects which didn't mean much to me, again due to ignorance.
The traveler who finds his road blocked by a river will use a raft to reach the opposite shore, but, his shore once reached, he will not carry the raft on his shoulders while continuing his journey. He will abandon it as something which has become useless.
Also, the concept that reality is really the aggregation of discrete flashes of energy was interesting. The book does get into the weeds a fair bit in regard to various Buddhist and Hindu sects which didn't mean much to me, again due to ignorance.
November 20, 2016
A clear useful introduction to Tibetan Buddhism from a woman who helped introduce the tradition to the West. Like most good books on Buddhism, there's nothing here that will surprise anyone familiar with the world view. But I'm glad I read it in part because of a vocabulary that will seem somewhat archaic to 21st century readers; for example, references to the "yellow races." As long as you can grant the realities of history, that's not a problem since the slight jar forces you to focus on the content, to look at basic principles of non-attachment and the relativity of perception from a different angle. Short and to the point. Good addition to the Buddhism shelf.
August 1, 2022
Great book, highly recommended.
"Some people may ask: how will the awakened one, in his new state of "Awakened One", act towards others?
The reply to this question is: Do others really exist? - Are not others like the other objects which furnish our environment, just projections of our thought, and considering that our senses deceive us in everything, should we accept their evidence when they set before us the form of another wholly distinct from ourselves?
In any case it is impossible for us, who are not awakened, to form an idea of the condition in which an "Awakened One" finds himself. It is similar to the impossibility for a sleeper, absorbed in his dream, to be aware of what exists outside the dream.
"The faith commended to their faithful by all religions, and considered by them as a virtue essential for him who hopes for eternal salvation, is nowise approved in the Secret Teachings. Based on the advice given by the Buddha to His disciples, the primary recommendation that the Masters give to neophytes is: "Doubt!” **Doubt is an incitement to research, and research is the Way which leads to Knowledge**"
"El mundo tangible es movimiento, dicen los Maestros, no una colección de objetos en movimiento, sino el movimiento mismo. No hay objetos "en movimientos", es el movimiento el que constituye los objetos que se nos aparecen: no son más que movimiento. Este movimiento es una sucesión continua e infinitamente rápida de destellos de energía."
"The tangible world is movement, say the Masters, not a collection of moving objects, but movement itself. There are no objects "in movements", it is the movement which constitutes the objects which appear to us: they are nothing but movement. This movement is a continued and infinitely rapid succession of flashes of energy."
June 17, 2025
Title: The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects
Author: Alexandra David-Néel
Publisher: City Lights Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Language: English
Isbn: 9780872860124
Published: 1967
First Published: 1959
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐ (3)
Key themes and learnings: Mahayana concepts
The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Néel offers an elegant exposition to the key Mahayana concepts.
Even though I have some knowledge about Buddhism, I feel like I came across this book a little too early in my journey. While the writing is clear and direct, it assumes a familiarity with foundational Buddhist concepts that a casual reader might not yet have. It doesn’t offer much beginner friendly information —so without prior understanding, some of its depth may be missed. That said, there are still moments of insight scattered throughout—passages that can resonate deeply or spark new questions. It's a book best approached with some grounding in Buddhist philosophy, where it can serve as a powerful complement rather than an introduction.
And because of what I said above, I don’t feel like I can fully judge this book one way or the other - hence my 3 star rating - I’m not ready to understand it properly yet.
But I still feel that the book is a valuable historic bridge between Tibetan oral tradition and Western readers. And I will maybe read this again when I have a little bit deeper foundations on the key ideas and a little bit more experience in the way of life.
Author: Alexandra David-Néel
Publisher: City Lights Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Language: English
Isbn: 9780872860124
Published: 1967
First Published: 1959
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐ (3)
Key themes and learnings: Mahayana concepts
The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Néel offers an elegant exposition to the key Mahayana concepts.
Even though I have some knowledge about Buddhism, I feel like I came across this book a little too early in my journey. While the writing is clear and direct, it assumes a familiarity with foundational Buddhist concepts that a casual reader might not yet have. It doesn’t offer much beginner friendly information —so without prior understanding, some of its depth may be missed. That said, there are still moments of insight scattered throughout—passages that can resonate deeply or spark new questions. It's a book best approached with some grounding in Buddhist philosophy, where it can serve as a powerful complement rather than an introduction.
And because of what I said above, I don’t feel like I can fully judge this book one way or the other - hence my 3 star rating - I’m not ready to understand it properly yet.
But I still feel that the book is a valuable historic bridge between Tibetan oral tradition and Western readers. And I will maybe read this again when I have a little bit deeper foundations on the key ideas and a little bit more experience in the way of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2023
This text is one of the seminal works that inspired Buddhist teaching in the west. It is sad that influenced the Beat writers, Kerouac and Ginsberg as well as Alan Watts, who wrote the foreword of this edition, amongst others, in the general teachings of Buddhism. The author is credible, having lived many years of her life in Tibet amongst Buddhist monasteries, so her teachings are straight from the masters. Despite her credibility, her writing can be a bit hard to to follow, being from an earlier era of long-winded style that is dense and academic which will deter most to avoidance, as I almost was. Instead I slogged through and was glad I did, as the end seemed to more coherent and poignant.
November 3, 2023
“They (The Masters of the Secret Oral Teachings) never tire of repeating the classic simile of the two chains. Whether one is bound by an iron chain or by a golden chain means, in both cases, to be bound. The activity used in the practice of virtue is the chain of gold while that utilized in evil deeds is the iron chain. Both imprison the doer.”
P. 92
P. 92
April 29, 2025
A wonderfully concise, beautifully written book detailing the secret oral teachings in Mahayana Buddhism. The information is not “secret” in the Western meaning of the word, but is designed to help enlighten higher Buddhist practitioners. I wish I could have received teachings directly from Alexandra David-Neel!
December 20, 2024
I do not feel prepared to write a review for this -- what is I? what is anything but a construct in my minds. both meaning and nihilism at once. ok I know Buddhism is not nihilism but it makes me feel that way
January 17, 2018
I really enjoyed reading it✨
July 17, 2023
Profoundly difficult but worthwhile book.
September 16, 2019
The teachings in this book might have been secret when Alexandra David-Néel published them. Today, however, these teachings and others are well-known in the Western World. Nevertheless, in this little book they are presented clearly. They are the fruit of conversations the author had with the Tibetan Masters and intellectuals and not summaries of books and documents others had no access to. When the teachings refer to psychological aspects of the day-to-day life they are insightful (e.g. to try to take conscience of the world, to look freshly to the world). Moreover, the Buddhism has a healthy relation with the skepticism and asks the disciple to see, not to believe blindly. Equally, there are statements I cannot accept : that there is no self, that there is no Good or Evil etc ... If you want to know what the Tibetan culture has produced (A brief introduction to Something style ), then this is your book.
February 26, 2021
While the title makes it sound esoteric, this is actually a very clear sighted and insightful review of basic Mahayana Buddhist principles, by one who understood them fully, in theory and in practice.
This book is perfectly adapted to the rationalist Western viewpoint, which probably also means a lot of actual Tibetan Buddhist teaching and practices are not discussed there, as they fall beyond the tight confines of what we, Western Buddhists, can grasp and understand. And maybe that is for the best :)
This book is perfectly adapted to the rationalist Western viewpoint, which probably also means a lot of actual Tibetan Buddhist teaching and practices are not discussed there, as they fall beyond the tight confines of what we, Western Buddhists, can grasp and understand. And maybe that is for the best :)
June 28, 2016
Wow! I enjoyed this book so much that I am reading it for the second time THIS WEEK! I normally read with a pencil in hand and underline as I go, but this time I didn't have a pencil and was too engrossed to get up and find one...so I devoured the book and am now starting over with a pencil.
It's deep, discussing the nature of reality, the relationship between the senses and reality, and the nature of the ego. A great read for those interested in Buddhist philosophy.
It's deep, discussing the nature of reality, the relationship between the senses and reality, and the nature of the ego. A great read for those interested in Buddhist philosophy.
December 26, 2015
Alexandra David -Neel 's small book details in vivid description her effort to win the confidence of Tibetan Buddhist monks that she was honest in her search for the miraculous and the ancient techniques of meditation . Extraordinary chronicle of her journey .
June 8, 2010
First published in Calcutta in 1964.
December 27, 2016
Fascinating.
September 7, 2018
Probablement trop complexe pour des néophytes du Bouddhisme
April 3, 2024
It's ok. Too much talk about the secret teachings and not enough of what they are.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews