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"The Epic of Gesar of Ling has been the national treasure of Tibet for almost a thousand years. An open canon of tales about a superhuman warrior-king, the epic is still a living oral tradition, included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Available for the first time in English translation, The Taming of the Demons is the fourth volume among the hundreds available in the Tibetan original, which were crafted by the bards to be enjoyed in any order. Popularly read as an allegory and rich with ethical proverbs, this volume recounts stories of Gesar fending off demons and liberating his foes as an enlightened leader. While the first three volumes cover Gesar's birth, youth, and rise to power, this volume recounts the martial victories and magical feats that made him a legendary figure in Tibet and beyond"--
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Translated by Jane Hawes, David Shapiro, and Lama Chonam; forewords by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche
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“The Epic of Gesar of Ling is the life force of a distinct culture, containing so much that defines and distinguishes Tibetans. I hope this story brings delight to all who encounter it.”—Dzigar Kongtrul, author of Peaceful Heart
“Not just for scholars and established aficionados of the Gesar epic, this translation is exciting and eminently accessible. I was loath to stop reading, and you will be too.”—Natasha Mikles, author of The Power of Genres and the Project of Secularization: Publishing the Gesar Epic in Contemporary China
“The Gesar epic is a cultural treasure of ancient Tibet and an important contribution to our human civilization. I believe these stories bring heart and humanity into the modern world. I am delighted to see it in the English language.”—Dza Kilung, author of The Relaxed Mind
“On the ultimate level, Gesar is none other than the great master Padmasambhava—intentionally manifesting as the magical display of a warrior being. Among the many editions of this great hero’s stories of enlightened activities comes this English translation of The Taming of the Demons. I rejoice from the bottom of my heart that this is now made available.”—Chakung Jigme Wangdrak, founder of The Abhaya Fellowship
