January 17, 2003

The Never-Ending Story

By SCOTT McLEMEE

A scholar tackles a Tibetan epic that is millions of words long -- with only a fraction of them on paper

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has proclaimed 2002-3 to be the millennial celebration of The Epic of Gesar of Ling -- an oral poem recounting the military triumph of the first king of Tibet over the hordes of cannibalistic demons that infested the land prior to the arrival of Buddhism. An extra-long celebration seems appropriate, for Gesar

Digital or Print Subscription

Web Pass

Already have an account? Log In Now.