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Initiation and Initiates in Tibet

Alexandra David Neel

Rider & Company - London

FOREWORD

The first edition of Initiations Lamaques appeared twenty-six year ago, that is shortly after the publication of Parmi les mystiques et les maguicciens du Tibet. The success of these two books – which were translated into several foreign languages – shows, I think, that the indifference professed by most of our contemporaries towards matters of a spiritual nature, is far from being universal.

There are still many whose curiosity is great concerning the so-called esoteric doctrines taught by Masters who acknowledge traditions different from those which prevail in the West. Many of these “inquirers” are content with descriptions of strange rites or with the reading of formulae whose vague significance flatters a latent love of mystery. There are others, however, who display a more intelligent desire for information. They understand that all “esterism” arises from misunderstanding and those rites, symbols and enigmatic pronouncements are merely a veil that is easy to raise for anyone who is fired with a keen desire to know.

The Tibetan spiritual Masters have never ignored this fact and their discipline has always tended to induce their disciples to come to grips with the real meaning of the teaching which is presented to them in language rich in ritual descriptions that partake of the nature of a rebus.

After the publication of Initiations Lamaiques, my adopted son, the late Lama Yongden, and I went back to Tibet and there stayed for twelve years. We were able in that country to study more deeply the conceptions of the Tibetan thinkers, conceptions relating to many subjects of practical utility for the guidance of our conduct in the arduous voyage of our lives. I have, therefore, thought it advisable to add two supplementary chapters to what was contained in previous editions of Initiations Lamaiques (‘Initiations and Initiates in Tibet’). One of these chapters founded on notes left by the Lama Yongden, deals with the essential importance of sustained attention and of memory in the spiritual discipline of Buddhism, the aim of which is the attainment of Knowledge.

In the other additional chapter I have set forth various theories that the Tibetan thinkers have elaborated concerning “Cosmic Consciousness” or, what is perhaps more rightly termed the “Universal Sub consciousness” present everywhere and in  everything and that is efficient even although its influence upon those who surround us and upon ourselves remains almost always unsuspected.

Finally, I have added a special chapter on the Tibetan Intelligentsia for the English edition.

                                                              Digne, B.A

                                                               France, 1958

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

1.     Tibetan Mysticism

2.     Various Kind of Initiation and their Aim

3.     Where Initiation s Lead. The Different Meaning of Aum Mani Padme Hum!

4.     Daily Spiritual Exercises

5.     The Dalai Lama

6.     The Lesser and the Greater Vehicle

7.     The True Initiation

8.     The Different Types of Morality

9.     The Cultivation of Attention

10.   Cosmic Consciousness

11.   The Teaching of Tibetan Mystics

12.   The Tibetan Intelligentsia

Appendix. A Note on the Present Position of Dalai and Penchen Lamas

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