news
the image of the earth
projects
die tiefe
glaciers
stromboli
jallikattu
volcanos
sumatra
segantini
puja
maka wakan
menabe
mission
london - paris
rice
arles (van gogh)
rarámuri
pirosmani
europe
songlines
terroir
shoa
sinai
icefire
go west
amazonas
kailas
the most beautiful
the mandala
the excavating sites
the pilgrimage
the concept
the word
the blessing
the text
the inner circle
the sources
the poles
the mountain
the first journey
the second journey
the book
the work
africa
aotearoa
london
amberg yellow
wine
salt
l'ocre
elephants in snow
todesstreifen
atlantis
dresden
værøy
siena brown
the alpes
the berlin wall
99 photographs
installations
exhibitions
books
editions
texts
videos
galleries
links
vita
contact

kailas - gang rinpoche - the snow jewel - the book

KAILAS, Gang Rinpoche, The Jewel of Snow


With the blessings of H.H. 37. Drikung Kyabgong Chetsang Rinpoche, E.G. wandered round Kailas, the most sacred mountain, the centre of the world, on the Kora, the path used by pilgrims since ancient times. Between august 13th and 16th, he collected 12 SOILS.

The 12 resulting Terragraphies that form the heart of this 'Tibetan Book' were printed by himself on BFK Rives 300g.

They are complemented by four pages of text, selected by Drubpoen Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche in Kathmandu from the book 'The perfect clear crystal mirror - A short summery from the history of the early events at the Kailash and Manasarovar' by H.H. Choekyi Lodroe, the 34. Drikung Kyabgoen Chungtsang Rinpoche (1868 - 1906). The text was completed in Kakhschoung, Kailas, on the first day of the 12th Tibetan month of 1896, the year of the Fire-Monkey.

These four pages of text were cut by hand into wooden printing blocks in Kathmandu and then printed on Lokta Paper 80g. This paper is obtained from the bark of the daphne-bush growing in the Himalaya and is traditionally hand-dipped. Jimmy Thapa organized and supervised the production of these pages.

Tara Kokta, Kathmandu, translated them into German, Louise Patterson, Munich, into English.

The blessing of H.H. the XIV. Dalai Lama, the preface by H.H. Drikung Kyabgong Chetsang, the conceptual framework, the translations, the map of the pilgrims' path, the list of excavation sites and the imprint were all printed on Lokta paper by E.G as well.

The wooden book covers were designed by Jimmy Thapa according to ancient Tibetan books. Under his supervision, they were then handcarved in Kathmandu from wood of seasum-trees from Lumbini, Buddhas birthplace.

J.T. also contributed his own view on the project on one page of description of the Kailas project.

The book in 36 x 36 cm format, wrapped in Chinese silk, was printed in an edition of 108 copies. For Tibetans, this number has special significance: the translation of Buddha's writings into Tibetan consists of 108 volumes; major monasteries have 108 rooms; prayer chaplets contain 108 beads and women’s hair is plaited into 108 plaits. Finally, after 108 pilgrimages around Kailas, the pilgrim is free to enter Nirvana.

The Terragraphies are signed with a embossing stamp on the front and numbered on the back. The book is handsigned and numbered in the imprint.

Published October 1999.


1.500 EUR

100 Euro from the proceeds of each book are donated to support the education of young Tibetans in the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Jangchubling.