Eastern Tibet: Bridging Tibet and China

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2005. Eastern Tibet, including the historic territories of Kham and Amdo, may rightfully claim to be the cradle of Tibetan culture. As early as the first millennium of our era, Eastern Tibet was of international relevance, as three branches of the Silk Road passed through its borders. A result of its role as a crossroad and meeting point in early East Asia was the emergence in the region of a rich cultural mosaic, and today, archaeological remains of Hellenistic, Iranian, Sogdian and Chinese cultures testify to this diversity. Over the past thousand years, Eastern Tibet has also been a centre of deep spirituality. Some 10,000 nuns and monks studying at the monastic University of Larung Gar, as well as the Amdo roots of present XIVth Dalai Lama, testify to the importance of this region to the religious traditions of all Tibetans. This volume, illustrated with more than 250 extraordinary colour photographs, is the first study dedicated solely to the culture of Eastern Tibet-a territory wherein more Tibetans reside than in the so-called 'Tibetan Autonomous Region'. The illuminating text is the result of fieldwork conducted by both authors over a period of several years. Images feature people, landscapes and cultural objects often documented for the first time. As such, Eastern Tibet: A Bridge Between Tibet and China is essential reading for all who want a fully rounded understanding of one of the richest and most important cultural traditions of Asia. 254 pp., 257 colour and 11 monochrome plates, 4 maps . First English Edition. Hard Cover. New/New. 31 x 24 cm..