Alexandra David-Neel was first Western woman to visit Lhasa, the forbidden capital of Tibet, disguised as a beggar walking and Tibetan. He wrote over thirty books on Eastern religions, philosophy and travel. Born in Paris in 1868, before the twenty already had on your resume with a book by anarchist ideology, a bike trip to Spain, Italy and Switzerland and studied at the Theosophical Society with Madame Blavatsky. It is said he came to join Masonry. At twenty she had traveled to India and Tunisia. In this country, studied the Koran and lived as a Muslim.
had studied music and singing, good voice and allowed him to debut as an opera diva in Hanoi, sponsored by the composer Massenet. In Tunisia, met the railroad engineer Philippe Néel , with whom she married in 1904. But she was not made for marriage and seven years later, when he was forty-three, he packed his bags, left the engineer and started planting bound for Egypt, and thence to Ceylon, India, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. In 1912, in Kalimpong, becomes the first Western woman to be received by the Dalai Lama.
In India, he met Aphur Yongden , Tibetan girl of fourteen who give up everything to follow and that will become his adopted son. For two years living in the Himalayas with Buddhist monks and then run through Japan, Korea and China. Two years living in the monastery Dum Kum Chinese, studying Buddhist manuscripts. The monks consider a sister and call lamp of wisdom, being acknowledged even in secret ceremonies, something unthinkable for a woman, much less Western.
But Alexandra is a challenge that remains: in his previous stay in Tibet could not come to the capital, Lhasa, the Forbidden City. Decides to undertake the adventure again in 1921 partly Yongden, three servants and seven mules. The journey is dangerous because of bandits, the grueling weather and difficult terrain with mountain passes of 5,000 m above sea level. To make matters worse, Chinese officials and Tibetans are dedicated to hinder travel. All events of this expedition the Alexandra David-Neel tells in his "Journey to Lhasa." Finally, after three years, disguised as a Tibetan beggar woman, with dyed hair and his face darkened with grease and soot, comes to the Forbidden City. Only his godson Yongden has been by her side.
Alexandra spent two months in Lhasa and then returned to Paris, finding that it has become a celebrity. The Americans named it " women on the roof of the world." The cover of honors. Ask articles, books, conferences. And everywhere triumphant. At his side is always accompanied by Yongden who, for some, is a local curiosity. Alexandra writes books that are total successes at the time: "Travel", "Mystics and Magicians in Tibet", "Initiations lamas," "The Lama the five wisdoms ", etc.
But success is a few years. Others have also entered Lhasa, it only takes away the merit of being the first. back to China, but there they faced nationalist Communists and China threatens Japan's expansionist policy. On his impressions of China writes "Magic of love and black magic." Off on Beijing, a few days is invaded by the Japanese. At sixty nine, Alexandra is a fugitive in the most dreadful shadow of war. It goes through the most unimaginable calamities, but feels young. "Never I was afraid, I say to heart, " declared in his writings.
In early 1938, Alexandra and fleeing back Yongden the Yangtze River aboard a steamer. After crossing rivers and mountain streams foot reaches Tatsienlu, capital of Sikang. Alexandra is seventy years.'s trip flight lasted sixteen months. For six years, amid a fortnight of foreigners, Alexandra and Yongden await the end of hostilities, living both in a small abandoned chapel. On September 8, 1939, they learn that war has broken out in Europe. This makes you feel depressed, tired. On arrival at Asia weighed 80 kilos, now weighs only 50.
On July 27, 1945, finally arriving by plane to India and thence to Europe. Finally, he settled with Yongden on his farm in France, where he continues to write a rich literary, is always about your trip and discovered that in them. Yongden died in 1955. In 1969, the eve of its one hundred and one years and shortly before his death, Alexandra goes to the municipal offices to renew their passport "because you never know." In 1973, Alexandra and Yongden ashes were thrown into the waters of the Ganges.
Sources:
http://www.viajeros.com/articulos/alexandra-david-neel-la-caminante-espiritual Http://www.librosbudistas.com/autores/index.asp?autor=NEEL
0 comments:
Post a Comment