THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE GREAT LIBERATION - or the Method of Realizing Nirvana Through Knowing the Mind (First edition - first printing - in the scarce dustwrapper)

A first printing of the true first edition of this work in translation - Walter Yeeling Evans-Wentz' introductory guide to realizing Nirvana. Evans-Wentz was a distinguished American anthropologist and pioneer in the study of Tibetan Buddhism. With nine full-page photographic plates, one in colour (the tissue-guarded frontispiece) - all present and undamaged. Also with a three-page preface by the editor, dated 1952. ***Near fine in bright-green cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine and gilt decoration to the front board. The gilt is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. Head and tail of spine just slightly creased. There are no significant bumps or creases to the boards, and no tears to the cloth. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Top edge gilt, with a small stain. Edges of page block untrimmed by the publisher. Internally the book is also near fine, with no inscriptions. Some light foxing to the endpapers, but no internal foxing. Pages clean. No marginal annotations. No creases or tears. ***In a very good light-beige coloured dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 42s. net at the bottom corner of the front flap (a high price for 1954). The dustwrapper is complete, with no ares of loss - just some minimal creasing and rubbing to the extremities - mainly to the lower edges, and some marks to the back panel (please see scans). ***261 pages including a detailed Index at the back of the book. 228mm x 155mm. Contents: Preface, Description of Illustrations, Foreword: A Psychological Commentary, by Dr. C. G. Jung, General Introduction I - XX, Book I - An Epitome of the Life and Teachings of Tibet's Greatest Guru Padma-Sambhava, Book II - The Yoga of Knowing the Mind, the Seeing of Reality, called Self-liberation, Book III - The Last Testamentary Teachings of the Guru Phadampa Sangay, Index. ***'This volume is the repository of teachings of paramount importance which have been transmitted to the peoples of the Occident from most illustrious Teachers of Tibet and of India. For the first time, there is given in English, in Book I hereof, an account of the marvellous super-human life and secret doctrines of the Great Guru Padma-Sambhava, who, in the eighth century of our era, by invitation of the Tibetan King, journeyed to Tibet and converted Tibet to Tantric Buddhism. Book II of the volume expounds the quintessence of the Supreme Path, the Mahayana, and reveals the yogic method of attaining the Great Liberation of Nirvana by means of knowing the One Mind, the cosmic All-Consciousness, without recourse to the postures, breathings, and other techniques commonly associated with the lower yogas. The aphorisms of the Guru Phadampa Sangay, comprising Book III, supplement those of Book II. Dr. C. G. Jung, the eminent psychologist, has contributed to the volume a lengthy psychological commentary, which is of unusual significance for all scientists and for all students of oriental religions. (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Evans-Wentz was a distinguished American anthropologist and pioneer in the study of Tibetan Buddhism. The book features translations of original texts along with comprehensive explanatory and commentarial content, including a contribution from the renowned psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung.' (Wiki) ***A first printing of the true first edition, complete in its original dustwrapper in very nice collectable condition. A very detailed, scholarly book. Very hard to find now in a complete undamaged dustwrapper. A classic translation - of interest to scholars of Tibetan Buddhism. A lovely copy of a beautifully-produced book. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.…