The Nine Ways of Bon

To practising bonpos, Bon simply means the true religion of Tibet, while to Tibetan Buddhists, Bon refers to the false teachings and practices that were prevalent before Buddhism became the dominant religion under the Kings. The present study resulted from a period during which the author was engage [...]
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To practising bonpos, Bon simply means the true religion of Tibet, while to Tibetan Buddhists, Bon refers to the false teachings and practices that were prevalent before Buddhism became the dominant religion under the Kings. The present study resulted from a period during which the author was engaged in intense contact with practising bonpos. It consists of the translation of a seminal 450 year old transcript of a 13th century Bon manuscript, in which the entire Bon philosophy and practice is summarized.The scale and depth of his study allows Snellgrove to examine in detail Bonpo claims to originality, while highlighting the extent to which Bon adapted its teachings and practices to that of the Buddhists in order to survive - often to the degree that they appeared almost inseparable. He also looks at the less readily quantifiable degree to which Tibetan Buddhism absorbed Bon practice into its ritual.This important study, long out of print, will be welcomed by all with interest in Tibetan Studies and the religions of the Himalayas. This is one of the most important and authoritative works on the ancient religious traditions of Tibet.It is long out of print and sought-after classic of Tibetan studies.