- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Books (1 Jun 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553379089
- ISBN-13: 978-0553379082
- Product Dimensions: 15.5 x 2.3 x 23.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
948,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Asia > Mongolia
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In the steady hands of poet George Crane, previously unknown Zen master Tsung Tsai comes off as truly extraordinary. A "poet, philosopher, house builder, scientist, doctor, and when necessary, kung fu ass-kicker", Tsung Tsai would still be wandering about anonymously if it were not, Crane says, for the need of financing provided by an advance on this book. The last of the monks from his Chinese monastery, Tsung Tsai felt he had to return one last time to find and honour his master's bones and rekindle his tradition. Crane recounts their joint adventure, opening with Tsung Tsai's harrowing decades-earlier escape from newly communist China, walking from Inner Mongolia to Hong Kong through a war-torn, famine-struck, psychotic land, nearly starving along the way. Crane, a self-styled hedonist ne'er-do-well, who says that meditation makes him nauseous, sets the stage for an entrancing buddy story back to China with this highly disciplined but carefree Zen master. As their affection grows, Crane absorbs Tsung Tsai's spare but demanding philosophy, which sustains them through the base poverty of northern China, a life-threatening 18-hour climb up and down a treacherous mountain, and a confrontation with a master of black magic. A page-turner and an eye-opener, Bones of the Master is worth every penny of that advance. --Brian Bruya
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
In 1959 a young monk named Tsung Tsai (Ancestor Wisdom) escapes the Red Army troops that destroy his monastery, and flees alone three thousand miles across a China swept by chaos and famine. Knowing his fellow monks are dead, himself starving and hunted, he is sustained by his mission: to carry on the teachings of his Buddhist meditation master, who was too old to leave with his disciple.
Nearly forty years later Tsung Tsai — now an old master himself — persuades his American neighbor, maverick poet George Crane, to travel with him back to his birthplace at the edge of the Gobi Desert.
They are unlikely companions. Crane seeks freedom, adventure, sensation. Tsung Tsai is determined to find his master's grave and plant the seeds of a spiritual renewal in China. As their search culminates in a torturous climb to a remote mountain cave, it becomes clear that this seemingly quixotic quest may cost both men's lives.
Nearly forty years later Tsung Tsai — now an old master himself — persuades his American neighbor, maverick poet George Crane, to travel with him back to his birthplace at the edge of the Gobi Desert.
They are unlikely companions. Crane seeks freedom, adventure, sensation. Tsung Tsai is determined to find his master's grave and plant the seeds of a spiritual renewal in China. As their search culminates in a torturous climb to a remote mountain cave, it becomes clear that this seemingly quixotic quest may cost both men's lives.
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The ninth day of the tenth month. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
The ninth day of the tenth month. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this for a friend but got hooked while browsing a few pages. I have an interest in Chinese philosophy and 'matters Chinese' generally but was not particularly interested in Buddhism - however found myself drawn to this as the book proceeded and have since sought out other publications in this area.
The story is, at times, sad/depressing - others to whom I described it remarked as such - but the monk's somewhat childlike retorts and enthusiasm combined with Crane's Westernised viewpoint give the story a generally uplifting tone which I found most magical.
I've recommended this to friends and family and have ordered subsequent copies to give as gifts. Try it!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Reviewer: Gina from South London
I borrowed this book from a friend and found that I couldn't put it down. The jouney of these men has been skillfully documented and the tone of the book is like a good film. It has action, adventure, pain, love, and music. There is also some humour along the way.
The book also includes black and white photographs of this amazing journey.
Hope you enjoy it.
Format:Paperback
I got hooked while reading the first few pages. This book is written so well, the descriptions of people and places, the scaterings of poetry make this book a real treasure. I have an interest in Buddhism and Chinese culture which helped but I believe you could enjoy this book just for George Cranes writting style. Tsung Tsai is a Buddhist monk who returns to Mongolia after living in exile for many years. His mission is to find and bury the bones of his master. George Crane an American goes too. An interesting account of cross-cultural friendship. A joy to read. I loved this book.
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