The epic of Gesar of Ling : Gesar's magical birth, early years, and coronation as king

The first and only English translation of the centuries-old Tibetan spiritual allegory of King Gesar, a tale on a par with The Arabian Nights or the King Arthur stories. For hundreds of years, versions of the Gesar of Ling epic have been sung by bards in Tibet, China, Central Asia, and across the eastern Silk Route. King Gesar, renowned throughout these areas, represents the ideal warrior. As a leader with his people's loyalty and trust, he conquers all their enemies and protects the peace. The example of King Gesar is also understood as a spiritual teaching. The "enemies" in the stories represent the emotional and psychological challenges that turn people toward greed, aggression, and envy and away from the true teachings of Buddhism. The epic of Gesar is the longest single piece of literature in the world canon, encompassing some 120 volumes; here the first three volumes are translated, telling of Gesar's birth, his mischievous childhood and his youth spent in exile, and his rivalry for the throne with his treacherous uncle. Contents Foreword by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche Foreword by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Preface Historical Introduction Gesar of Ling in Epic Literature The Historical Context Concerning Reincarnation The Gesar Translation Group and This Project Translator's Introduction: An Introduction to the First Three Volumes of the Epic The Epic The Mukpo Lineage King Gesar Other Principal Characters Gods and Demons Gesar Practice The Legacy of Gesar Summary of Volume One Summary of Volume Two Summary of Volume Three Acknowledgments Volume One: The Events Leading to Gesar's Incarnation in the Land of Ling PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR Volume Two: Gesar's Birth and Childhood in the Land of Ling PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX AFTERWORD Volume Three: Gesar Wins the Horse Race and Becomes the King of Ling The Narrative Content of the Seven Chapters PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN Postscript Notes Glossary of Terms Glossary of Names BIbliography Foreword / His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama -- Foreword / Alak Zenkar Rinpoche -- Foreword / Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche -- Preface -- Historical introduction -- Translators' introduction -- Acknowledgments -- Volume one. The events leading to Gesar's incarnation in the land of Ling -- Volume two. Gesar's birth and childhood in the land of Ling -- Volume three. Gesar wins the horse race and becomes the king of Ling -- Postscript -- Notes -- Glossary of terms -- Glossary of names