Thundering Falcon
An Inquiry into the History and Cult of Khra-'brug, Tibet's First Buddhist Temple
Per K. SØRENSEN, Guntram HAZOD, in cooperation with Tsering GYALBO
This
publication represents the results of a detailed
historical-philological and anthropological study
dedicated to the history and cult of Khra-´brug
or the "Thundering Falcon" temple. It constitutes
the first serious inquiry into the location’s
history, focusing exclusively on this major religious
shrine and pilgrimage site, which, according to
the Tibetan tradition, is commonly regarded as
the oldest (Buddhist) temple in Tibet. The sanctuary,
located in the heart of the Yar-lung Valley in
southern Central Tibet, which is the cradle of
the Tibetan civilization and erstwhile homeland
of the Tibetan kings, was erected in the 7th century
during the reign of the emperor Srong-btsan sgam-po
(d. A.D. 649). Chronologically the temple may have
been built immediately preceding the temple sanctuary
of Lhasa, which was erected by the same king, the
Ra-sa´i´ Phrul-snang, otherwise known
as Jo-khang, and which is famed as the symbolic
centre and national sanctum of Buddhist Tibet.
The main part of the book is made up of a number
of primary sources that deal with Khra-´brug,
which are presented here in extensively annotated
translations. These include excerpts gleaned from
various historiographical works as well as local
documents. One of these is a local pilgrims’ guide,
Khra ´brug gnas bshad (dating from the early
20th century), which forms the most important source
in the book and which is also reproduced in facsimile.
Furthermore, extensive surveys that were conducted
in situ are presented, gleaned from the wealth
of local oral traditions that still prevail in
Khra-´brug and in Yar-lung. They deliver
significant new insights and thus enrich the data
extracted from the written sources appreciably.
Together, the source material and its comparative
analysis open a door to the fascinating world behind
the history of this temple, a vista that, from
a modern perspective, allows us to appraise and
survey central issues related to politics and religion,
as well as a number of arcane cult traditions of
the period from the 7th to 20th centuries. The
appendices contain separate studies related to
specific questions concerning the history of the
temple, sometimes addressing issues going beyond
Khra-´brug such as an extensive discussion
of the extant lists of the first temples of the
kingdom that are ascribed to the founding king
Srong-btsan sgam-po. Also included is a study of
the earlier local historical context, a history
of the main protector gods, and various examples
of the fascinating temple cults (some to a certain
extent still alive, others revitalized). These
assumed their decisive forms during the era of
the fifth Dalai Lama, when Khra-´brug was
transformed into a state temple for the emerging
central government in Lhasa. Architectural documentation,
several cartographical sketches based on satellite
photos, an extensive photo documentation (both
old and rare pictures and numerous recent photos),
and, finally, the accompanying DVD (with recent
documentary films devoted to the temple and its
important annual festival) make this engrossing
book a joy to read and a feast for the eyes, both
for advanced scholars and the interested lay audience.
The index includes all Tibetan and Sanskrit names
(persons and places) and text titles that are cited
in the translated sources.
Table of Contents (PDF © epub.oeaw.ac.at)
ISBN : 3-7001-3495-9
Verlag : VÖAW
Erscheinungsdatum : 2005
432 Seiten + 1 DVD, 29.7x21cm, broschiert, zahlreiche SW-
und Farbabb
99,36 EUR
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