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A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One: The Early Period — Occult Philosophy

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A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One: The Early Period

Name: A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One: The Early Period
Price: 19.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781583946107

✍️ Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, Donatella Rossi, Nancy Simmons

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This groundbreaking volume by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu meticulously reconstructs the enigmatic Zhang Zhung kingdom, challenging long-held assumptions about pre-Buddhist Tibetan culture. Far from primitive, Zhang Zhung, the "cradle of Tibetan culture," was a vast, sophisticated civilization encompassing sacred Mount Kailash. Delving into the little-studied Bon religion—an intricate system of shamanic and animistic beliefs—Norbu's rigorous analysis of primary sources illuminates Zhang Zhung's rich traditions, from written language and rock carvings to healing practices and divination, ultimately revealing the profound roots of later Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Namkhai Norbu, Chogyal; , Rossi, Donatella; , Rossi, Donatella; , Simmons, Nancy

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“Scholars and students of early Tibet will welcome the publication in English of this first volume of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's trilogy on the history of Zhang Zhung and Tibet. Accurately and carefully translated by Donatella Rossi, this book draws on a wide range of Bon sources and chronicles that shed light on the creation mythology, geography, lineages, and cultural legacy of ancient Zhang Zhung.”

— Gyurme Dorje, leading Tibetan scholar, translator, and author

“for example, an emphasis on bardo rites; a cohesive, spiritual taxonomy for transmissions of alphabets, scripts, and systems of writing; historically long-enduring divination practices; distinctive frameworks of medicine (including moxibustion); signature practices of fine arts; and even contemplative methods for dreaming - derives from the Zhang Zhung civilization.”

— J.I. Abbot

“Using traditional sources in an original way, this work paints a fascinating picture of the history and culture of the Zhang Zhung kingdom of early Tibet.”

— Sam van Schaik, PhD, Tibetologist and research project manager for the International Dunhuang Project (IDP) at the British Library

🏛 North Atlantic Books 📅 2013 📖 264 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781583946107

Fun Fact

Namkhai Norbu's Volume One is a monumental achievement, offering an unparalleled, meticulously researched deep dive into pre-Buddhist Tibet. It masterfully redefines the historical landscape, elevating the Zhang Zhung kingdom and Bon religion from obscurity to their rightful place as foundational elements of Tibetan culture. While its academic rigor and detailed analysis might prove dense for casual readers, it is an indispensable work for scholars and serious students of Tibetan history, religion, and Central Asian studies, setting a new standard in the field.

📝 Description: A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One: The Early Period

A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One explores ancient Tibet's Zhang Zhung kingdom and Bon religion that preceded the advent of Buddhism in the seventh century. Countering the long-held idea that Tibet's pre-Buddhist indigenous culture was primitive and undeveloped, this book shares the rich cultural origins of the kingdom of Zhang Zhung--the "cradle of Tibetan culture," which encompassed a vast area of Western and Northern Tibet in an area that includes sacred Mount Kailash. Presenting the meticulous research of internationally known Dzogchen Buddhist teacher and scholar Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the book investigates the mysteries of Zhang Zhung's Bon religion, a set of shamanistic and animistic beliefs and practices only recently studied by a handful of academic scholars. Offering a critical analysis of a vast array of literary and primary sources, Norbu discusses the role of the Bon traditions within Zhang Zhung's lineages, dynasties, and culture. Examining Zhang Zhung's written language, sacred ornaments, rock carvings, healing practices, music, and magical divination techniques, Norbu contributes to an understanding of the roots of Tibetan Buddhist culture and modern-day Bon religion--a practice followed by an estimated ten percent of Tibetans.

📑 What's inside

Translators Foreword
A Technical Note on the Translation
I. The Human Generations of Ancient Zhang Zhung
1. Nonhuman Beings
2. The Four Original Great Clans and the Six Family Lines of the Early Human Generations
3. The bSe, Khyung, and sBra Tribal Groups of Zhang Zhung
II. The Bon Lineages of Ancient Zhang Zhung
1. gShen-rab Mi-bo-che and the dMu-gshen Lineage
2. The Diffusion of Bon after the Birth of gShen-rab Mi-bo-che
III. The Royal Lineages of Ancient Zhang Zhung
1. The Eighteen Monarchs, Holders of the Horn-Like Crowns
2. The Twelve Minor Principalities
IV. The Written Language of Ancient Zhang Zhung
1. gShen-rab Mi-bo-che Taught the Written Language of Ancient Zhang Zhung
2. The sPungs Script of sTag-gzig
V. The Civilization of Ancient Zhang Zhung
1. gZi and Thog Icags
2. Rock Carvings
3. The Science of Arts and Crafts [bZo rig]
4. Music
5. gTo and its Cultural Foundations
6. Ju thig
7. Mo-pra
7.1. Magical Divination [rDe'u 'pbrul gyi mo]
7.2. Divination with Symbolic Images [brDa mo]
7.3. Scapulimancy [Sog mo]
7.4. Divination with Dice [Shwo mo]
7.5. Divination with Prayer Beads [Phreng mo]
7.6. Cho lo Divination
7.7. Pra Divination
8. Dreams [rMi lam]
9. Numerological Astrology
10. Medicine
Bibliography
Indexes
Index of Tibetan and Zhang Zhung Names and Terms
Index of Textual Sources
Index of Sanskrit Names and Terms
Index of Chinese Names and Terms
List of Tables
Table 1. The Four Great Rivers
Table 2. The Thirteen g.Yen of the Higher Sphere
Table 3. The Nine g.Yen of the Intermediate Sphere
Table 4. The Eleven g.Yen of the Earthly Sphere
Table 5. Genealogy of the dMu Royal Lineage
Table 6. gShen-rab's Consorts and Sons
Table 7. The First sMe-'kbor
Table 8. The Twelve Scattered Minor Principalities
Table 9. Additional Principalities

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Norbu’s meticulous analysis offers a groundbreaking glimpse into Zhang Zhung, illuminating its rich traditions through primary sources. However, readers seeking accessible narratives or popular history may find the academic rigor and focus on obscure Bon religion daunting. It is not for those expecting a light read or simplified summaries of Tibetan Buddhism. The text demands patience and a serious interest in esoteric history, making it less suitable for casual readers but highly rewarding for dedicated students of occult and ancient cultural systems.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and enthusiasts of esoteric traditions will find this volume indispensable for its rigorous reconstruction of the Zhang Zhung kingdom. By challenging assumptions about pre-Buddhist Tibet, it reveals a vast, sophisticated civilization centered on Mount Kailash. Readers interested in the intricate roots of Tibetan Buddhist culture, shamanic beliefs, and ancient healing practices will gain profound insights into this enigmatic past. It is essential for those seeking to understand the 'cradle of Tibetan culture' and its animistic foundations.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the hidden origins of spiritual traditions, the rich tapestry of pre-Buddhist Asia, or seeking to deepen your understanding of Tibetan cultural roots beyond conventional narratives, this foundational work is an indispensable guide for your journey.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Norbu’s meticulous analysis offers a groundbreaking glimpse into Zhang Zhung, illuminating its rich traditions through primary sources. However, readers seeking accessible narratives or popular history may find the academic rigor and focus on obscure Bon religion daunting. It is not for those expecting a light read or simplified summaries of Tibetan Buddhism. The text demands patience and a serious interest in esoteric history, making it less suitable for casual readers but highly rewarding for dedicated students of occult and ancient cultural systems.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Zhang Zhung was an ancient kingdom in Western and Northern Tibet, considered the "cradle of Tibetan culture," predating the widespread adoption of Buddhism and serving as the primary domain of the Bon religion.

Bon is the indigenous spiritual tradition of Tibet, characterized by shamanic and animistic practices, a rich cosmology, and a history that significantly predates and influenced the later development of Tibetan Buddhism.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Zhang Zhung's Ancient Splendor

The book meticulously uncovers the sophisticated civilization of Zhang Zhung, presenting it as the true "cradle of Tibetan culture." It counters the outdated narrative of pre-Buddhist Tibet as undeveloped, showcasing a vibrant kingdom with its own language, arts, and spiritual depth that spanned a significant portion of Western and Northern Tibet.

Bon Tradition Rediscovered

This work offers a critical, scholarly examination of the Bon religion, Tibet's indigenous spiritual system. It moves beyond superficial understanding to explore Bon's complex shamanic and animistic beliefs, its crucial role within Zhang Zhung's dynasties, and its practices, which include healing, music, and divination, revealing its foundational importance.

Roots of Tibetan Culture

Norbu demonstrates how the cultural and spiritual landscape of Zhang Zhung, particularly through the Bon traditions, laid the groundwork for what would later become Tibetan Buddhist culture. By detailing Zhang Zhung's unique ornaments, rock carvings, and societal structures, the book provides essential context for understanding the evolution of modern Tibetan identity.

📜 Historical context

Before the 7th century C.E. saw the widespread advent of Buddhism in Tibet, the vast Zhang Zhung kingdom thrived, centered around the indigenous Bon religion. This volume meticulously re-evaluates this crucial, often overlooked period, demonstrating Bon's profound influence and the sophisticated nature of early Tibetan civilization, thus repositioning its significance within the broader history of Central Asian spirituality.

📚 Glossary

Zhang Zhung
Bon
Dzogchen

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does understanding the pre-Buddhist history of Tibet, as presented in this book, challenge or expand your views on the origins of spiritual traditions?
Reflect on the idea of a 'cradle of culture.' What does this concept mean for a region's identity, and how might uncovering such a cradle impact its modern self-perception?
Consider the Bon religion's various practices (healing, divination, music). How might these ancient methods resonate with or offer insights into contemporary spiritual or holistic approaches?