This book is essentially the outcome of an International Symposium: October 1996, Venice, Italy. lncluding new investigative studies of both the traditional authentic shamanism and neo- shamanism, in diverse local situations: ranging from the frozen plains of Siberia to the jungles of Orissa, from the Himalayan valleys to the islands of Indonesia, the authors describe shamanic tranceflightsecstatic experience how a shaman envisions the true nature of the cosmos, beyond its trivial appearance and how, through his mysterious power, he can move among the dead men, spirits and gods.

An unbiased inquiry into the intriguing, yet heart-stirring, shamanic phenomena, it is certainly a work of absorbing interest to ethnologists, socialcultural anthropologists, shamanologists, historians of religion, and general readers alike. * (less)

Events that led to the writing of this book. Author's preface.

Introduction. 1.

Historical backdrop to Bon and Bo: I. The lands of Bon.

II. The lands of Bo Murgel.

2. Sacred geography of Lake Baikal.

3. Different types of Bon.

4. Cosmology: I.

Cosmological model of Buryatian Bo Murgel. II.

Bonpo cosmological model. III.

Common aspects of the cosmologies of Bo Murgel and Bon. 5.

Classes of Gods and Spirits. 6.

Gods of the prehistoric Bon of Eurasia in the religions of ancient Central Asia. 7.

Transmission and initiation in Buryatian Bo Murgel. 8.

Different types of Bo, their functions and ritual gear. 9.

Cult of the sky. 10.

Heavenly deer. 11.

Purification rituals. 12.

Offering rituals: I. Ritual offerings in Buryatian Bo Murgel.

II. Lurol festival in rebkong.

III. Comparative study of the offering techniques in Yungdrung Bon and Buryatian Bo Murgel.

13. The soul: I.

Soul and related concepts (less)

The preparations described here are from the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Ayurveda is a science based on ancient Indian philosophy.

It can appropriately be called 'The Science of Living'. Ayurveda traces its etymology to Ayush, meaning 'life', and Veda, which originates from vid or knowledge.

Popularly speaking, Ayurveda can be defined as a medical science which helps the human body to keep fit, while providing cures from indigenous plants, animal products and minerals for ailments. Thus, being essentially a science of healing, it concentrates on what is required to lead a healthy, normal life.

It deals not only with what is to be done when one falls ill, but also with what should be done to maintain one's health and vigour (less)