Explore new research on the religious and cultural traditions of the Himalayan Buddhist world.

Over decades, hundreds of American undergraduates spending a semester abroad have been introduced to Tibetan culture in India, Nepal, and China by Hubert Decleer. A number went on to become prominent scholars in the field at institutions such as Yale, Berkeley, and Georgetown, and as a tribute to him they have put together this collection of cutting-edge research in Himalayan studies, bringing together contributions of this new generation with those of senior researchers in the field. This new research on the religion and culture of the Himalayan Buddhist world spans a broad range of subjects, periods, and approaches, and the diversity and strength of the contributions ensures Himalayan Passages will be warmly welcomed by scholars, travelers, and Tibetan Buddhists alike.
Highlights include:

Donald S. Lopez, Jr. tells the story of Gendun Chopel's unusual visit to Sri Lanka in 1941.

Leonard van der Kuijp examines the Bodhicittavivarana, an ancient work on the enlightened resolve to free all beings.

Kabir Mansingh Heimsath compares Western and Chinese curatorial approaches to Tibetan modern art.

Alexander von Rospatt illuminates the fascinating history and artistic details of the famous Svayambhu stupa in Kathmandu.

Sarah H. Jacoby translates the short autobiography of Sera Khandro, the celebrated female Tibetan mystic of a century ago.

Additional contributors include Franz-Karl Ehrhard, Ernst Steinkellner, Jacob P. Dalton, Iain Sinclair, Anne Vergati, Punya Prasad Parajuli, and Dominique Townsend.

Product Details

Publisher: Wisdom Publications (August 12, 2014)
Length: 384 pages
ISBN13: 9781614290735

Raves and Reviews

"Scholarly volumes in honor of the teachers we hold dear are meant to be labors of love. At their best, they are not only reflections of an exemplar's legacy but also illustrations of the creative possibilities that true mentorship and collaboration provides. This volume of essays in honor of Hubert Decleer succeeds as a collection of excellent academic work on Indian and Tibetan Buddhism as well as Himalayan and South Asian textual, historical, aesthetic, and social traditions associated with religious practice, broadly conceived. Himalayan Passages is also a narrative tapestry of the worlds Hubert has shared with and opened up for many generations of scholars past, present, and future. A remarkable achievement."

– Sienna R. Craig, Chair of Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College

"Reflecting the wide range of texts, traditions, and insights that Hubert DeCleer creatively pursued as a ground-breaking and original researcher, this volume dedicated to him is a gathering of leading scholars, with each chapter offering new and important insights on a broad array of Himalayan Buddhist traditions."

– Todd Lewis, author of Popular Buddhist Texts from Nepal

“The best new scholarship on the Himalayas, fitting homage to the finest mentor in Himalayan studies who has inspired generations of scholars to explore, to study, and to love this part of the world.”

– Kurtis R. Schaeffer, chair, Religious Studies Dept, University of Virginia

“Hubert Decleer's scholarship placed an emphasis on place and especially holy places long before it became a popular theme, but also place in a deeper sense, including the more intimate interior spaces, combining the macro- and micro-cosms in a manner not un-reminiscent of the tantric body mandala. We see much of that here, in the work of his students and colleagues, in true humanist style taking part in their subject of study, keeping it alive.”

– Dan Martin, author of Tibetan Histories