Tibetan Renaissance - by Ronald Davidson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

How did a society on the edge of collapse and dominated by wandering bands of armed men give way to a vibrant Buddhist culture, led by yogins and scholars? Ronald M. Davidson explores how the translation and spread of esoteric Buddhist texts dramatically shaped Tibetan society and led to its rise as the center of Buddhist culture throughout Asia, replacing India as the perceived source of religious ideology and tradition. During the Tibetan Renaissance (950-1200 C.E.), monks and yogins translated an enormous number of Indian Buddhist texts. They employed the evolving literature and practices of esoteric Buddhism as the basis to reconstruct Tibetan religious, cultural, and political institutions. Many translators achieved the de facto status of feudal lords and while not always loyal to their Buddhist vows, these figures helped solidify political power in the hands of religious authorities and began a process that led to the Dalai Lama's theocracy. Davidson's vivid portraits of the monks, priests, popular preachers, yogins, and aristocratic clans who changed Tibetan society and culture further enhance his perspectives on the tensions and transformations that characterized medieval Tibet.

Review Quotes

[Tibetan Renaissance] will influence the reading of Tibetan history for many years to come.--Sam Van Schaik "Journal of the American Oriental Society"

[An] excellent book.--Nikolay Tsyrempilov "Journal of Asian Studies"

Davidson's book is important for the study of Buddhism and indispensable for Tibetan studies... Highly recommended.-- "Choice"

In this volume Davidson has produced a noteworthy study of an important theme.--D. Seyfort Ruegg "Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London"

Offers a groundbreaking cultural history.--Benjamin Bogin "Buddhadharma"

The awesome, generous Mahabharata will reward them all.-- "History of Religions"

This truly fascinating book is bound to create something of a storm.--Martin Boord "Journal of The Buddhist Society"

About the Author

Ronald M. Davidson is professor of religious studies at Fairfield University. He is the author of Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement (Columbia) and the coeditor (with Steven D. Goodman) of Tibetan Buddhism: Reason and Revelation.