Overview

The Life of the Madman of Ü tells the story of Künga Zangpo (1458-1532), a famous Tibetan Buddhist ascetic of the Kagyü sect. Having grown weary of the trials of human existence, Künga Zangpo renounced the world during his teenage years, committing himself to learning and practicing the holy Dharma as a monk. Some years later he would give up his monkhood to take on a unique tantric asceticism that entailed dressing in human remains, wandering from place to place, and provoking others to attack him physically, among other norm-overturning behaviors. It was because of this asceticism that Künga Zangpo came to be known as the Madman of Ü.David M. Divalerio translates this biography, originally written in two parts in 1494 and 1537, making accessible to a modern audience a rich depiction of religious life in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Tibet. The book also details Künga Zangpo's many miracles, a testament to the spiritual perfection he attained. His final thirty years were spent at his monastery of Tsimar Pel, where he dispensed teachings to his numerous disciples and followers. The Life of this remarkable and controversial figure, now available in English for the first time, provides new means for understanding the tradition of the ""holy madman"" (smyon pa) in Tibetan Buddhism.

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9780190244033

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The <em>Life</em> of this remarkable and controversial figure, now available in English for the first time, provides new means for understanding the tradition of the holy madman (<em>smyon pa</em>) in Tibetan Buddhism. --<em>Reading Religion</em> This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the <em>Life</em> accessible to English readers for the first time. --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of <em>The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa</em>

The Life of the Madman of U offers an exceptional case study for understanding the tradition of holy madness in Tibetan Buddhism, and DiValerio's masterful translation is clean and accessible to both Tibetologists and lay readers. In the broader field of Tibetan studies, the book adds greatly to our understanding of Tibetan history, religion, and culture. --Reading Religion This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time. --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa -The Life of the Madman of U offers an exceptional case study for understanding the tradition of holy madness in Tibetan Buddhism, and DiValerio's masterful translation is clean and accessible to both Tibetologists and lay readers. In the broader field of Tibetan studies, the book adds greatly to our understanding of Tibetan history, religion, and culture.---Reading Religion-This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time.- --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa The Life of this remarkable and controversial figure, now available in English for the first time, provides new means for understanding the tradition of the holy madman (smyon pa) in Tibetan Buddhism. --Reading Religion This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time. --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time. --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa

This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time. --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa

-The Life of the Madman of U offers an exceptional case study for understanding the tradition of holy madness in Tibetan Buddhism, and DiValerio's masterful translation is clean and accessible to both Tibetologists and lay readers. In the broader field of Tibetan studies, the book adds greatly to our understanding of Tibetan history, religion, and culture.---Reading Religion-This wild story of the fifteenth-century tantric yogin Kunga Zangpo is a remarkable piece of Tibetan Buddhist sacred biography. Composed in two parts, during and shortly after Kunga Zangpo's life, the biography offers intimate and captivating descriptions of his yogic experiences, miracles and magical attainments, and his daring role in society as an exemplary saintly madman. David DiValerio's exceptional translation makes the Life accessible to English readers for the first time.- --Bryan J. Cuevas, translator of The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat: The Life of Ra Lotsawa

Author Information

David M. DiValerio is Assistant Professor of History and Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is the author of The Holy Madmen of Tibet (OUP 2015).

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