Lama A. Govinda - The Scholar

Lama Govinda left an impressive body of works in German and English. Many of his books are translated in all major languages. The quality and wide range of his works and themes, both in terms of content and formal aspects, are astonishing: Early Buddhist psychology, Vajrayana meditation, comparative philosophy, architecture, archaeology and ancient Chinese philosophy. His work also encompasses poetry, translations of Buddhist classics and many essays on various topics. Some of Lama Govindas books were written in English, others such as Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism were written in German and subsequently translated in English by himself. His articles appeared in periodicals such as Stepping Stones, The Maha Bodhi, and the German journal Der Kreis published by the Arya Maitreya Mandala. Some of Lama Govindas books in English are listed below:

The Way of the White Clouds

Hardcover: 308 pages Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (November 17, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 1585674656 The classic narrative of a spiritual pilgrimage to Tibet, with a new introduction by Robert Thurman.

Customer Reviews (Quotes from www.amazon.com):

"Anagarika Govinda's book The Way of the White Clouds is among the most beautiful travel books ever written. [...] The reader is magically transported with them back to a time when no one in the West knew much, if anything, about Tibet, Tibetans, or its religion. ..."

"The author, Lama Anagarika Govinda, is an erudite and sophisticated buddhist who brings to life a land and a people who will hardly exist in their native Tibet much longer."

"This book is a beautiful introduction to Tibetan culture and landscape and Buddhist beliefs and practices. It's left me longing to see Mount Kailas and the other sacred places he lovingly describes. ..."

Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism

Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Weiser Books (January 15, 1969) Language: English ISBN-10: 0877280649 ISBN-13: 978-0877280644 A complete explanation of the esoteric principles of Mantra that also clarifies the differences between Hindu and Tibetan yoga. Translated into many languages, this is an important text for any student of Buddhism. With bibliography, index, and illustrations.

Customer Reviews (Quotes from www.amazon.com):

"I have read many books on Buddism and by far this is one of the best. There is a lot of information to digest in this book, but I had great joy reading it."

"This is simply a masterpiece created by a sharp mind and a pure soul."

"New students or shallow meditators may think the book difficult, but I assure you it is extremely well thought out, and more than worth the effort. [...] Don't expect this to be a fast read or a casual study. It goes deep."

"... In this book, Lama Anagarika Govinda clarifies many misconceptions regarding Tibetan Buddhism ..."

"I first read this book twenty years ago, and it is still a constant companion. Provides an initiation into the power of an ancient mantra. This book guides you into deeper and
deeper meditation states, and provides the basis for some of the Tibetan Visualization Techniques. Really a great book."

"Beautifully written, scholarly and quite dense in parts, I would thoroughly recommend it, even if only to read the Preface and the first chapter. If you are interested in the Logos, the relationship between spirit and the word, then this book is a must. [...] This book is both brilliant scholarship, and a masterful work of art."

"If you wish to explore the word and symbol, this profoundly spiritual volume leads one there. Om, universal consciousness, and all the dhyana Buddhas are presented with clarity and understanding. What's more, the poetry in which Lama Govinda moves and winds this classic work is a tribute to the man's artistry in painting wisdom as something within everyone's reach."

Psycho-Cosmic Symbolism of the Buddhist Stupa

Paperback: 120 pages Publisher: Dharma Publishing (January 1, 1976) Language: English ISBN-10: 0913546364 ISBN-13: 978-0913546369 The stupa as a symbol of enlightened knowledge, and its relationship to meditation practice and chakras.

Creative Meditation and Multi-Dimensional Consciousness

Paperback: 294 pages Publisher: Quest Books (January 25, 1984) Language: English ISBN-10: 0835604721 ISBN-13: 978-0835604727

Customer Reviews (Quote from www.amazon.com):

"Lama Govinda has a genuine gift for speaking in a way that welcomes creativity within the forms of ritual."

Buddhist Reflections

Paperback: 269 pages Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass,India (June 30, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 8120830954 ISBN-13: 978-8120830950 From Library Journal: Grouped into four parts--"The World and Its Interpretation," "The Inward Path," "Art as Creative Meditation," and "The Meeting of East and West"--these essays by a Westerner who became a Tibetan monk and Buddhist scholar combine thought with feeling, insight with wide-ranging compassion. An introductory essay provides background about the Buddha and Buddhism so that the 19 subsequent essays are accessible and convey profound thought in clear language with analogies helpful to Westerners. Govinda's most exciting essays deal with consciousness and transcendence as echoed in other religions and in Teilhard de Chardin's ideas of a conscious cosmos. Recommended for large public, academic, and seminary libraries.