Cave of the Ancients

Rating:
Summary: The book disgraced authentic Tibetan Buddhism
Review: Cave of the Ancients by T.Lobsang.Rampa is a disgrace to the Tibetan buddhist tradition. The author claims the stories philosophy originated in Tibet. All the teachings such as crystal gazing, aura reading, and astral projection are unorthodox meathods and have no validity to Tibetan Buddhism which condems such practices as distractions to the true objective of enlightenment. Tibetan Buddhism recognises such practices as western occultism seeking eastern influences, much like Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical society.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening Journey
Review: I found this book to be very insightful although I am not an expert on Tibetan religion or philosophy. It is an enjoyable read and rather thought provoking in areas. What if????? Cave of the Ancients is a story about one man's journey, not a complete guide to the Tibetan way. I recommend reading it and deciding for yourself. Analyzing a book completely destroys the context. A book is to be read, absorbed and then digested. Everyone's interpretation is different.

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre
Review: Poorly written. Slightly insightful. The book is titled "The Cave of the Ancients" but the cave and its wonders only occupy one chapter of the entire book.

The Japanese Monk is described so fleetingly and yet this minor character commands the greatest emotional response from the main character.

All in all the book is an extremely hemhaw mishmash with mere ideas of a story, and thin traces of a plot. If this was built to be informative, cool ... but reading it I couldn't help but feel that maybe this was some Theosophic concoction written to bolster some auxilliary occult claims or austere.

I did appreciate the author's treatment of telepathy. How he regarded it as so real it's nothing. I agree with the other reviewer who said that this is a disgrace to Tibetan Buddhism.

The buddhist monks depicted on the cover look Mahayana Shaolin, not Tibetan. I liked several of the teacher's explications regarding vibration, those seem very informed. The dark room, Hermitage descriptions seem very informed as well.

There is no grammar whatsoever in the edition I read. New speakers without new paragraphs ... it's just a mess. Originally published in the late 60s, that was the edition I read.

Worldpeace,
Ben
www.theflowingofthedao.com

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary and Ever Mind-Expanding Powerful Performance
Review: The Cave of the Ancients reveals for many in the west the ancient secrets of Tibet. A Very powerful story of a very humble servant to the world and the travels and tribulations of a strong people. A must read for every thinking individual.

Rating:
Summary: The Human and Earth history from an extraordinary source
Review: This book describes archeological findings in Tibet found in ancient caves. Many objects are said to be found nowhere else. The history of Earth and Humanity is revealed to be very different from what is known. Tibet lovers must read Rampa's books.