The cult of Tārā;: Magic and ritual in Tibet

Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions

by Stephan Beyer

The unique importance of Stephan Beyer's work is that it presents the living ritual of Tibetan Buddhists. The reader is made a witness to cultic proceedings through which the author guides him carefully.(Reprinted)

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

563 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Stephan V. Beyer holds Ph.D. degrees in religious studies and in psychology, and has taught as an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; the University of California, Berkeley; and the Graduate Theological Union.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely deep account of the theory and practice of ritual magic within the context of Tibetan Buddhism; fascinating, if perhaps sometimes excessively detailed and presupposing specialist knowledge.

[C.J. Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for an informal, in-depth teaching of Vajrayana Buddhism, this book is a good place to be. The detailed sketches of more complex mudras are most helpful, and whilst the text is seemingly "long-winded", it is quite easy to comprehend. This book however, is certainly not in the realm of a basic introduction to Buddhism itself but, rather, a much deeper look into the actual practice of Tara (Vajrayana Buddhism).

[Chandresh Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

great compilation

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Camazotz Coph nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this.