An Account of Tibet - Travels of Ippolito Desideri 1712 - 1727

Author: Filippo De FilippiEditor(s): Filippo De FilippiPublisher: RupaYear: 2005Language: EnglishPages: 560ISBN/UPC (if available): 8129107775 DescriptionWritten more than 250 years ago, this record of Father Ippolito Desideri’s stay in Tibet, extending over a period of five years, provides the first accurate general description of Tibet in all its particulars-the flora, fauna, products of the soil, the inhabitants and their special customs, the constitution of the family, the nuptial and funerary rites, the social organization, and finally a complete exposition of Lamaism derived from the author’s study of the canonical books and their commentaries and from a daily and familiar intercourse with he doctors of Lamaism and the life of the Lamaseries, made possible by his knowledge of the Tibetan language.Divided into four books, the work describes the author’s journey of three and a half years form Rome to Lhasa and his mission work there; the nature, character, customs, and civil govern