 |
|
| Book Review: "The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism" | ||
| 作者 | Obank, Beth |
|---|---|
| 出處題名 | The Middle Way: Journal of the Buddhist Society |
| 卷期 | v.78 n.4 |
| 出版日期 | 2004.02 |
| 頁次 | 246 - 247 |
| 出版者 | The Buddhist Society |
| 出版者網址 | http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/ |
| 出版地 | London, England, UK [倫敦, 英格蘭, 英國] |
| 資料類型 | 期刊論文=Journal Article; 書評=Book Review |
| 使用語言 | 英文=English |
| 附註項 | THE WHEEL OF TIME SAND MANDALA: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism, by Barry Bryant published by Snow Lion, New York, ￡12.95. |
| 摘要 | This comprehensive book on Kalachakra has been out of print for some time now. Fortunately, Snow Lion have made this wealth of information available to us once more. The word kalachakra translates as wheel (chakra) of time (kala). Specifically this refers to cycles of time within the individual, the microcosm and the outer world, the macrocosm. In this sense, Bryant conveys the direct relationship between inner practice and the effects on one and one's environment. Kalachakra practice is correctly portrayed as having no association with selfish gain or egoistic endeavour but everything to do with community, harmony and universal responsibility. Without doubt, this is one of the most concise but deeply informative manuals of the Kalachakra initiation available to the public. Bryant examines the tantra in the context of the Buddhist path as well as its relationship to the history of Tibet and the challenges its people and leader have faced. He also vividly articulates the relevance of this tantra to the present-day world and the turbulent events that often threaten its harmony. The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala is an account of a personal journey not only through the complex esoteric depths of the Kalachakra but also through Buddhism itself. The author's clear and succinct presentation is appropriate for the general reader as well as for the specific needs of its practitioners. There is also a wonderful account of the life of the Buddha. Our introduction to the experience of initiation is taken through Bryant's own experience. This includes some interesting anecdotes, such as 'The only English I remember hearing during the entire initiation was while the Dalai Lama was describing in Tibetan the deities of the mandala to the students. Suddenly he said clearly in my own language, "Now you enter the mandala!"' The Kalachakra initiation is indeed an esoteric ceremony; and many feel that its secrets should not be spread about carelessly, so as to protect; its value and also those individuals encountering such unique and complex information that is open to misinterpretation. However, the Dalai Lama refers to the Kalachakra, as it stands today, as 'an open secret with many misconceptions and it's my responsibility to correct them'. Bryant elucidates the tantra in this vein, presenting the Kalachakra in its proper context, not with intrigue but with commonsense and heart. His collaboration with the Dalai Lama's Namgyal monastery gives an admirable and reassuring verification of his explanations. In the book he examines the detailed meaning of a mandala and looks carefully at the creation of a Kalachakra sand mandala, illustrating this with some eye-catching close-up photographs. For the more technically minded he has used some graphic drawings. Those reveal the exactitude of Kalachakra and endow it with the power to be so effective. One is left with the feeling that this system of meditation is by no means haphazard. If followed properly it will yield far-reaching rewards for the individual practitioner and his or her wider circle and environment. Bryant ably explains the necessity and process of initiation in order for one to attempt the practice seriously. Initiation is similar to a new student having to enrol at university. Without this initial element no course of study can commence. In this sense, initiation is not a formality that is dispensable, but a process that is central to the practice of this tantra, in fact all tantras, and without it one can not become a practitioner. This is an extremely useful book for those who have taken or are interested in taking the Kalachakra initiation and for those who respect it as an instrument of world peace but are not yet ready to enrol as a full-time student. |
| ISSN | 00263214 (P) |
| 點閱次數 | 678 |
| 建檔日期 | 2009.09.30 |
| 更新日期 | 2020.11.04 |
建議您使用 Chrome, Firefox, Safari(Mac) 瀏覽器能獲得較好的檢索效果，IE不支援本檢索系統。
