A Classical Tibetan Reader answers a long-standing need for well chosen readings to accompany courses in classical Tibetan language. Professor Bentor has built her Tibetan reader out of time-tested selections from texts that she has worked with while teaching classical Tibetan over the past twenty years. She has assembled here a selection of Tibetan narratives, organized to introduce students of the language to complex material gradually, and to arm them with ample reference materials in the form of glossaries customized to individual readings.

Instructors will find this reader an invaluable tool for preparing lesson plans and providing high-quality reading material to their students. Students, too, will find the selections contained in the reader engaging. Even novice readers of Tibetan will feel welcomed and encouraged, thanks to the author's astute judgment of student capacity.

About The Author

Yael Bentor

Yael Bentor, professor emerita at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is a scholar of Tibetan tantric Buddhism. Her research focuses on the crystallization of tantric traditions among Geluk scholars during the early fifteenth century in Tibet. Currently she is working on the Six Dharmas of Naropa as presented by Tsongkhapa vis-à-vis the standpoints of Kagyu scholars. She lives in Jerusalem, Israel.

Product Details

Publisher: Wisdom Publications (November 18, 2014)
Length: 160 pages
ISBN13: 9781614292722

Raves and Reviews

"A Classical Tibetan Reader is a must read for beginning students of this rich language. Professor Yael Bentor skillfully and gently introduces students to classical Tibetan through the narratives of twelve famous stories. Her very helpful Tibetan-English glossaries supply the meanings specific to the context of each narrative, making this book an excellent gateway into the world of Tibetan literature."

– Sonam Thakchoe, University of Tasmania

"Congratulations are due to Yael Bentor for this Tibetan-language reader. As she points out herself, such a reader is long overdue. Selecting well-known stories for her texts means that the new student of Tibetan is not overwhelmed by jargon-filled philosophical or tantric material. The customized glossaries with translations suited to the context in the accompanying narratives will be a great help to the learner."--

– Gavin Kilty, translator of A Lamp to Illuminate the Fives States

"This handsomely produced volume is a welcome tool for students of classical Tibetan. The carefully selected readings lead the student straight into the rich world of Tibetan writing on a wide range of topics--from stupas to saints to timeless wisdom. Each reading is an independent unit accompanied by a tailor-made glossary. Author Yael Bentor is one of the top scholars in the field of Tibetan studies. Drawing on twenty years teaching experience, she has produced a practical and user-friendly reader that will help train new generations to access one of the great world literatures."

– Peter Skilling