Yogins of Ladakh : Pilgrimage Among the Hermits of the Buddhist Himalayas

506 Pages·1997·12.369 MB·English

by  John H. Crook, James Low

Yogins ^
Ladakh
A Pilgrimage Among the Hermits
of the Buddhist Himalayas
Jo h n Cr o o k »James Low
When John Crook of Bristol University
began research in the Zangskar valley of
Ladakh in 1977 his prime intention was to
investigate the social anthropology of the
area through studies of village life.
In 1986 Crook returned to Ladakh with
Tibetologist James Low to enquire fully
into the social organisation, history,
meditational practices and philosophy of
the yogins who still lived and practiced in
the remote parts of the area. This book is a
record of the author’s adventurous
journeys to meet some remarkable men.
The yogins were often generous,
providing accounts of their training, one
of them allowing Crook to photograph a
previously unknown text—instructions on
Mahamudra by the eminent Tipun Padma
Chosgal. James Low’s brilliant translation
of this difficult work together with that of
a biography of the great woman yogin
Machig Labdron provides the basis for
extensive and original discussions of the
meaning of Tibetan Buddhism and it’s
significance in our time.
THE YOGINS OF LADAKH
Wall painting of a Bodhisallva in the lllh century temple of Karsha
Gompa, Zangskar. (p. 39)
THE YOGINS OF LADAKH
A Pilgrimage Among the Hermits
of the Buddhist Himalayas
John C rook and James Low
MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS
PRIVATE LIMITED • DELHI
Reprint: DeUii, 2006, 2007
First Edition: Delhi, 1997
OJOHN CROOK
All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 978-81-208-1462-2 (Cloth)
ISBN: 978-81-208-1479-0 (Paper)
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CONTENTS
Introduction vii
Preface: Hermits and Hermeneutics x
Part I. BACKGROUND 1
1 .The Lineage of the Yogins 3
Part II TRAVELOGUE 31
2. Maintaining the Revolutions of the Universe 33
3. Meetings with Rimpoches 54
4. Schools for Hermits 82
5. The City and the Hills 104
6. The Geshe of Saspola 132
7. Return to Sani 142
8. Light Rays of the Sun 154
9. A Home of Ancient Yogins 177
10. The Hill of the Tigress 194
11. The Precious Jewel of Pipcha 207
ii Contents
12. Crossing the Mountains
13. Manali
PART III TEACHING AND PRACTICE
14. Teachings of the Yogins
15. Practising Chod in the cemeteries
of Ladakh
16. Privacy and Public Knowledge
of the Dharma
17. The Meditation Notebook
of Tipun Padma Chogyal
18. End and Beginning
Glossary
Index.