Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama

The Gold Manuscript in the Fournier Collection

Serindia Publications, 1998
Paperback, 160 pages, 86 color plates

The Art of Magic

Verily a most beautiful and truly secret book that has, until recently, been kept concealed from both Tibetans and others alike. The text and the uniquely beautiful images in this volume represent the secret autobiography - the so-called Gold Manuscript - of Ngawang Lobzang Gyamtso (1617-1682), one of the incarnations of the Dalai Lama who is also known as The Great Fifth. Although the head of the Gelugpa, the fifth Dalai Lama also studied many of the more controversial and so-called heretic Tibetan teachings (Dzogchen for example) that incorporate many of the early and more shamanic traditions of Tibet.

Especially due to the many never before published magical images, mainly used for protection against demons, the work is not only interesting to the student of Tibetan religion and mysticism, but to all who are interested in the Art that is known as Magic. Each ritual object depicted in these 'Black Thankas' is carefully identified and explained in the accompanying text.

The Out of Print hardcover edition (246 pages, 1991) also includes the complete text in Tibetan.

Review: RCC
You can order right from here at one of these stores:
Amazon USA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE