Rubies of Mogok: Thabeit-Kyin, Capelan, Mogok

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2008. Rubies of Mogok covers book 12 (chapters 44-48) of 'The Silken East. A record of life and travel in Burma', published in 1904. This reprint has 5 additional photos from Natural History 1928, Journal of the American Museum of Natural History. These pictures show scenes from Mogok and the ruby mines. Further 6 Illustrations are from the Illustrated London News and Graphic from 1887-1888, made during the third Anglo Burmese War. It also contains an article 'On the Ruby Mines Near Mogok, Burma' by Robert Gordon, that was originally published by the Royal Geographical Society in 1888. This reprint is part of a series to bring together historical material of the Ruby Mine District in Burma. 158 pages, 8 pp. illus., & 8 pp. colour plates. When Theravada Buddhism became the national religion in Burma in the 11th century there already existed a number of primitive religious cults, the most important and most popular of which were the worship of Nat spirits, astrology, and alchemy. In addition there also existed Mahayana Buddhism and Tantric or magical Buddhism. All the different cults were given an artificial unity by the fact that they were all under the patronage of the Ari monks. These Ari monks had some acquaintance with the Buddhist scriptures, gloried in the name of Buddha, and wore dark brown robes and conical hats. But they also presided over the Nat spirit festival at which hundreds of animals were sacrificed. (A new, unread copy, with some tanning on the covers typical of this publisher's books.). Reprint. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..