David DiValerio, an assistant professor of history and religious studies, has published “The Life of the Madman of Ü,” the first complete translation of a two-part biography, written in 1494 and 1537, of a famous Tibetan monk, Künga Zangpo.
The book offers a glimpse into a fascinating but little known aspect of Tibetan Buddhism, a provocative expression of tantric asceticism. Between long periods of solitary retreats, Zangpo would venture into society to shock people with such norm-transgressive behaviors as adorning himself with human remains and eating repulsive substances.
Besides making the original text accessible to modern readers, DiValerio provides an extensive introduction that explains the social and political circumstances surrounding Zangpo’s remarkable life.
