The people of Tibet and their religion have been inseparable. Originally the Bon religion dominated Tibet. In the seventh century the Mahayana form of Buddhism was brought into Tibet by the two wives. of the Tibetan King Srong-tsan Llampo, along with the scared images and Sanskrit manuscripts, literature of the Tibetans One Guru Padmasambhava founded the "Lamaism" in Tibet, Tibetans Lamaism is a branch of Mahayana form of Buddhism and the study of Lamaism, its growth and spread is both fascinating and baffling.
The monasteries and temples conduct daily services during which the lamas officiate at the higher services held on certain days to commemorate special events in the life of Buddha and there are also services for Padmasambhava, the founder of Lamaism.
The objects used during the different ceremonies and rituals are of great interest and most of them are unknown to the outer world other than the Tibetans Hence this study, in which an attempt has been made to bring to light these rare specimens used by the lamas is their day to day rituals and on special occasions as well.
The present book "Ceremonial Objects of the Tibetan Lamas" consists of five chapters. The first chapter deals with the Origin foundation of Lamaism in Tibet. In the second chapter, the growth and spread of Lamaism, the teachers and saints who founded and propagated the different "Sects" and Monasteries of Lamaism are vividly described. The third chapter throws light on the lifestyle of a lama involving the various duties performed by him is his day to day life. In the fourth chapter some of the important rites and rituals, the chief ceremonies observed by the lamas are dealt in a detailed manner. Finally, the fifth chapter) discusses the mystic ceremonial objects used during the rituals performed by the Tibetan Lamas. The chapter begins with the description of the identification of the divinities and the images, their asana and mudras, the symbol and emblems, the talisman, amulets and charms, the different rosary types are also highlighted.