Alchi: Ladakhs Hidden Buddhist Sanctuary

•期刊原文

Alchi: Ladakh's Hidden Buddhist Sanctuary

by Roger Goepper

Reviewed by Donna Seaman

Booklist(Nov 15, 1996)

Vol.93 No.6

pp.562-563

COPYRIGHT 1996 American Library Association

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Goepper, Roger. Dec. 1996. 288p. index. illus. Shambhala; dist. by Random.

Alchi is an astonishingly beautiful, well-preserved, 800-year-old Buddhist temple complex nestled within the folds of the splendidly isolated region of Ladakh, which skirts the foot of the Himalayas. The main temple's richly ornate murals and sculpture evince a rare and lyrical style of Buddhist art remarkable for its Persian and Greco-Roman influences. Goepper's lavish, large-scale book contains 300 sumptuous color photographs of this mesmerizing manifestation of faith. In his introduction, he provides a cogent history of Ladakh, but much of the story of the building of Alchi remains a mystery. Happy to leave speculation behind, Goepper luxuriates in meticulous
descriptions and analyses of each work of art and each decorative detail. Published in a limited edition, this distinctive volume is an ideal gift to the library from trustees and library friends groups.

Ladakh was one of the many places master photographer Ortner visited during 20 years of pilgrimages to sacred sites in Asia. Goepper's book is a tightly focused assessment of works of art, whereas Ortner's stunning photographs record both the wonders of manufactured beauty and the glories of the earth. His juxtaposition of majestic mountains and rivers with awe-inspiring temples, stupas, and shrines illuminates the intimate connection between nature and spirituality, sense of place and artistic expression. As Ortner chronicles his journeys to Nepal, India, Angkor, lava, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bali, he not only links the radiant realms of earth and sky with the world of people-from spare and modest settlements clinging to the mountains to a dense, colorful swarm along the Ganges-but also celebrates the profound and enduring traditions of each Hindu or Buddhist culture.