This is a new release of the original 1934 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1934 edition.

1934. The Gesar of Ling Epic is the Iliad of Central Asia. The origin of the work has come under much discussion. Some declare it is Buddhist, others see in it a solar myth that symbolizes winter and spring. The version presented here was the result of the author having the opportunity to hear the story told by the wandering Rhapsodists and was then able to note down their recitations.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

1934. The Gesar of Ling Epic is the Iliad of Central Asia. The origin of the work has come under much discussion. Some declare it is Buddhist, others see in it a solar myth that symbolizes winter and spring. The version presented here was the result of the author having the opportunity to hear the story told by the wandering Rhapsodists and was then able to note down their recitations.

King Gesar, renowned throughout Tibet and Central Asia, represents the ideal warrior--the principle of all-victorious confidence. As the central force of sanity, he conquers all his enemies, the evil forces of the four directions, who turn people's minds away from the true teachings of Buddhism. These enemies graphically represent the different manifestations of cowardly mind. As Chogyam Trungpa explains in the Foreword: "When we talk here about conquering our enemy, it is important to understand that we are not talking about aggression. The genuine warrior does not become resentful or arrogant . . . It is absolutely necessary for the warrior to subjugate his own ambition to conquer at the same time that he is subjugating his other more obvious enemies. Thus the idea of warriorship altogether is that by facing all our enemies fearlessly, with gentleness and intelligence, we can develop ourselves thereby attaining self-realization." The legends of Gesar usually take weeks for a bard to recount. Filled with magic, adventure, and the triumphs of this great warrior-king, the stories will delight all--young and old alike.