Book Description
To Tibetan Buddhists, Mount Kailash is the most magical
place on earth, a place where one's prayers are answered
instantly. The journey to the diamond-shaped peak is arduous,
as it is located in the heart of the world's tallest
mountains; yet it is well worth the effort. For according to
tradition, one trip around the sacred mountain at 17,500 feet
can wipe away the sins of a lifetime.
It was this promise of transformation that inspired Robert
Thurman, preeminent Buddhist scholar and teacher, to lead a
group of eager pilgrims on the spiritual trek of a lifetime.
Among the group was a former student and longtime friend, Tad
Wise. Together, Thurman and Wise recount their experience
circling the mountain, in chapters that counterpoint the most
profound inner teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with a
magnificent description of a land of awesome beauty and
unexpected hardships.
Thurman serves as the group's spiritual leader. Through
the wisdom and insight gained from years of study in India
with the Dalai Lama and other gurus, he offers his fellow
companions a rich understanding of Tibetan Buddhism,
including techniques of meditation, visualization,
compassion, and selflessness. Meanwhile, Wise describes in
vivid detail the soaring mountains and breathtaking vistas of
this hidden land of snows. He also chronicles the
difficulties he faces as he tries to incorporate Thurman's
accelerated Buddhist teachings into his own life.
Together they take us deep into Chinese-occupied Tibet to
visit sites few Westerners have ever seen: sacred graveyards,
meditation caves of ancient masters, and majestic
monasteries. As they navigate perilous mountain passages,
Thurman guides the travelers past the pitfalls of spiritual
life to the realization of the Buddha's promise of liberation
from human suffering.
Chronicling the inner as well as the outer journey,
confrontations both physical and metaphysical, Circling
the Sacred Mountain serves as an inspiring metaphor for
the challenging passage to enlightenment open to each of us.
