Apparitions of the self

Book Description

This profound exploration delves into the hidden world of Tibetan "secret autobiography," a remarkable literary tradition that reveals the most intimate spiritual experiences of Buddhist practitioners. Through the lens of Jigme Lingpa, an extraordinary eighteenth-century Tibetan visionary, readers encounter a unique form of religious writing that bridges personal revelation and universal spiritual inquiry.

Janet Gyatso presents these rare autobiographical texts as windows into the complex relationship between individual identity and Buddhist teachings about the illusory nature of self. The work examines how Tibetan practitioners navigated the apparent contradiction between documenting personal spiritual experiences while maintaining Buddhist beliefs about the ultimate non-existence of a permanent self.

The investigation reveals why Tibetan Buddhism produced an unusually rich tradition of autobiographical writing compared to other Asian Buddhist cultures. Readers discover how these texts function as both personal spiritual records and sophisticated explorations of memory, identity, and the challenges of capturing transcendent experiences in words.

Beyond literary analysis, the book illuminates Jigme Lingpa's visionary encounters with Tibet's ancient royal lineage and his distinctive meditative practices. The study concludes by examining the provocative role of the dakini, a powerful female spiritual figure whose presence in these autobiographies raises compelling questions about gender, sexuality, and spiritual authority within Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

This scholarly yet accessible work offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality, identity, and the written word.