The Cult of Tara: Magic and Ritual in Tibet

Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions

by Stephan Beyer, Kees W. Bolle (Foreword)

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. He leads the reader step by step, without omitting anything, through entire rituals, and interprets whenever necessary without being unduly obtrusive. The superb translations from the original Sanskrit and Tibetan speak directly to the reader, and it is indeed as if the reader himself were present at the ritual.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

542 pages, Paperback

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.