The Sacred Sites of the Dalai Lamas

This book remarkably mixes stunning photographs of Tibet's most sacred monasteries of the early Dalai Lamas with text on the historical relevance of these sites in the unfolding of Tibetan Buddhism. Appearing throughout the book are brief biographies, inspirational quotations and passages from the writings of the early Dalai Lamas. The book takes both an experiential form (through the photographs) and an intellectual exploration of these power spots. It explores the caves where the early Buddhist masters meditated, enters the monasteries where the Dalai Lamas and others taught, and looks down from an altitude of over 16,000 feet into the famous oracle lake of Lhamo Lhatso (where every Dalai Lama has had prophetic visions). The sacred sites include: - Potala - Jokhang - Drepung Monastery - Nechung - Drak Yerpa Valley - The Caves of Songsten Gampo, Jowo Atisha, and Guru Rinpoche - Samye Monastery - Lambhu Lagang Castle - Ani Sanku Nunnery - Lama Tsongkhapa Meditation Cave - Tranduk - Kangyur Stupa - Terdak Lingpa - Tashi Lumpo - Champa Zhishi - Sakya - Chokhor Gyal - Milarepa's Cave - The Oracle Lake.