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| The lion is a universal
symbol of majesty. In the West, he adorns the coats of arms of monarchs;
in much of Asia, he long ago became the benevolent guardian of the Buddha,
who taught compassionate respect for all living beings. Though the lion
of Buddha originated in India, his attributes were most highly elaborated
in China, Japan, and Tibet. Combining the power of the lion and the loyalty
of the dog, the Buddhist "dog-lion" was depicted in exquisite artworks:
Chinese jade carvings, Japanese netsuke toggles, Tibetan thanka paintings
and wool rugs. Meanwhile, small "lion-dogs" were bred in all three countries
to resemble their celestial prototype.
The Lion-Dog of Buddhist Asia traces the origins of the mythical dog-lion of Buddha and the fascinating history of flesh-and-fur lion-dogs: primarily the Shih Tzu, but also such breeds as the Pekingese of China and the Lhasa Apso of Tibet. Separate chapters elucidate the place of the "dog of Buddha" in the life, lore, and art of China, Tibet, and Japan. Finally, the Buddhist attitude toward dogs and other non-human beings is compared with that of other religions. The story of the lion-dog, ranging from the Manchu court to the tents and monasteries of the Tibetan steppes, is complemented by fifty-seven plates, forty-five in full color, of this charming being in his myriad manifestations. Elsie P. Mitchell's wide learning and eclectic interests qualify her uniquely to weave together the book's themes of Buddhist teaching, Oriental art, and lion-dog lore. Born in Boston, she has traveled extensively in both Europe and Asia. She is one of the founders of the Cambridge Buddhist Association and the founder of the Ahimsa Foundation, which supports humane societies, wildlife sanctuaries, andenvironmental groups. She is the author of the autobiographical Sun Buddhas, Moon Buddhas: A Zen Quest and has contributed to the anthology Ways People Grow and to Studies in Comparative Religion and other journals. She is a collector of non-ivory dog-lion netsuke and is the close friend of three wise and accomplished Shih Tzu. Jacket design by Becky Davis, EDS Inc., Editorialt & Design Services, Tokyo. Printed in Japan. |
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