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The Buddha Tarot | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert M. Place
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $7.00
You Save: $17.95 (72%)
New (17) Used (8) from $4.55
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 440297
Media: Paperback
Pages: 72
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.7
ISBN: 0738704415
Dewey Decimal Number: 133
EAN: 9780738704418
ASIN: 0738704415
Publication Date: February 13, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When Siddhartha sat beneath the Bodhi Tree, he saw the pattern of all his incarnations like a great wheel. This pattern, called a mandala in Buddhism, is an enlightened vision of archetypal reality. When captured by an artist, the mandala becomes a sacred tool of contemplation. The Buddha Tarot serves as a mandala of cards that can lead others to the same sacred wisdom of Buddha.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Robert Place does it again! Another Amazing Deck from this brilliant illustrator and Tarot Scholar October 3, 2007
Derek Armstrong (Toronto, Canada)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The nuances and subtleties of any deck by Robert Place take them beyond "quick lust, purchase, then into a drawer" syndrome (typical of many tarot collectors. His decks run deep. They still give the thrill of "quick lust" which prompts you to buy every deck he creates, but there's staying power too. His Alchemical deck was like that. The Buddha Tarot is his best yet. You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the stunning artwork or timeless archetypal symbolism he's create. And he is famous for creating "spiritually significant" art, everything from Angels to Saints to Buddhas. It shows a level of spiritual maturity that he can cross from Christian gnostic themes to Buddhist. But there's something utterly captivating about each and every card. What takes this beyond ordinary is that Robert is a scholar of Tarot, not a pretender. Others might create gorgeous art decks (there are many) and themed decks that are fun for play (there are many), but Robert shows he knows Tarot from the depths of archetypal symbolism and rich history out to the nuances of color and symbolism. This is a treasure, and may it always stay in print. Even more of a wonder is the Companion book, but I'll make that a separate review. For those traditionalists in the tarot world, there is one extra Major Arcana card, significant in Buddhism since it's Buddha's paranirvana. All the rest of the cards have new names relevant to Buddha's journey to enlightenment, in place of the journey of the Fool (which some say has its roots in Buddha's life... Place makes a good case for this!). In place of Swords we have Vajras (Tibetan symbol), Lotuses in place of wands, double dorjes (viswa vajras) in place of Cups and the Buddhist Jewel in place of coins -- all perfectly matched up to the Cosmic Buddhist correspondences. Brilliant work, whether you're Buddhist or not. For the Buddhist, there is no other Tarot deck.
 Dont Cross The Streams!!! July 2, 2005
Richard K. Kostoff (columbus, oh)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
This was a very special moment in my life being a Buddist and Tarot reader for many years as well. I anticipated this set for months. I was waiting for the missing link in the clouded history of the Tarot. I was sure this was going to be it! Wrong was I. Or maybe the Fool again.
Overall this is a well done set with a lot of careful research into both histories eastern and western. The cards were very nice to handle as well as the size. The majors carefully and accurately depict the life of the Buddha. The similarities were uncanny. This is where my facination ended.
The greatest hurdle with this deck is reading for others. Most Tarots leave out religious references. The original images dating from the middle ages perhaps were giving some sort of dramatic lesson that has been clouded by time. This is irrelevant to modern Tarot therapist. The Buddhas enlightenment is not to be used as an example for divination. My Buddist clients likes the pictures, but couldnt relate to traditional interpretations. I wouldnt consider using this deck for non-Buddist practioners. There is just too much confusion and a lot of explaining.
This Tarot is an important study deck for many this art develops. Maybe in the future there will be a clearer depiction of these two important esoteric schools!
The Buddha Tarot Book Companion : A Review January 2, 2005
June Kaminski, BellaOnline Editor (BC, Canada)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Renowned artist and tarot scholar/writer Robert M. Place has produced a masterpiece in his new tarot 384 page companion book, The Buddha Tarot Companion: A Mandala of Cards. This book affords a rich unique perspective of the Tarot through the lens of the Buddhist paradigm. The companion deck comes in a beautifully illustrated box containing exquisitely designed cards that fit perfectly in my hand, a tiny black gossamer bag plus a bordered little white box with the instructions, "Embellish this box with protective and/or empowering symbols." Other suggestions that greet you as you begin your journey with the Buddha cards include: "Smudge with sage to cleanse and re-energize the cards after a reading." and "Store your deck with stones or crystals that absorb negative energy, promote healing, or provide protective energy." Also included in the box is a mini-book with guidelines on reading these particular cards. Both items are published by Llewellyn, who as always, have taken great care to ensure quality and aesthetics in the way the cards are packaged and presented.
Robert has done an amazing job in correlating the life of the Buddha with the Tarot journey through the cards. He describes how the Major Arcana fits perfectly with the life of Siddhartha and his journey of enlightenment. Each of the tarot trumps is a stage on the mystic's journey to enlightenment. In fact, it is Mr. Place's belief that the creators of the Tarot were directly influenced by the life of the Buddha, and incorporated archetypes into the Major Arcana based on his journey. He teaches that the ancient wisdoms were not isolated from one another. Instead, "the classical world maintained communications with India and the ancient Western philosophers were familar with Indian philosophies." As well, the Islamic world introduced the Christians to the life of the Buddha during the Middle Ages. "The European Christians were enamored with the story, and they transformed him into a Christian saint - St. Josaphat."
I was fascinated by the titles given to the Major Arcana cards. Each of the 23 cards reflect an important aspect of the Siddhartha's personal journey to become the enlightened one, the Buddha.
Robert Place has created a deck and book that not only meets the needs of people who practice Eastern beliefs. He also acts as a mediator to help people of the Western world learn about and appreciate the noble tenets of Buddhism and its teachings for life. I highly recommend this deck - I found it very easy to follow, the graphics are amazingly detailed and artistically rendered and the companion book clearly helps you to learn to "read" using a Buddhist world view.
Shook My World July 12, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
The Buddha Tarot certainly shook my world. It took me back to my junior high and high school days, where a serious interest in the study of Buddhism began for me. (Not an unusual thing, as I was living in Seattle during those years, and had many Asian friends, some of whom came from families that were practicing Buddhists.) The second phase of Buddhism in my life came when I was stationed in Hawaii during the early 70's, and had a chance to actually visit a Buddhist Temple (there is a lovely Buddhist temple off of the Pali Highway - many people visit here.
Robert Place has done some excellent work in bringing the Tarot and spirituality/religion together in previous decks/books: Tarot Of The Saints (combining Christian mythology with the Tarot Archetypes), The Angels Tarot (with Rosemary Ellen Guiley, entering the Angelic realm and working with the Kabbalah, alchemy and Christina mysticism), and The Alchemical Tarot (with Rosemary Ellen Guiley - combining alchemy with the Tarot Archetypes). I knew before I even had the deck in my hands that this was not a "make do" Tarot, where giant leaps of faith had to be made to match the life of Buddha with the Tarot Archetypes. This is amazing, considering that this is a well thought out 79 card deck (the 22nd card being Parinirvana, representing the death of the human Buddha and his attainment of total nirvana). Other than an added card, there is only one other change to the Trumps, and that is the placement of Justice as number eight and Strength as number eleven. The LWB (Little White Book) that accompanies the deck is a wealth of information on Buddha and on the journey that represented his life. Enough background is provided so that the reader has a solid basis for understanding what the cards represent, and so that The Buddha Tarot can be easily understood and worked with, not just memorized and worked with by rote.
The life of Buddha - who he was, who his family was, where he was born - this is all discussed in a very palatable format. It is fascinating to learn that his birth was very similar to that of Jesus, and that soon after his birth a seer named Asita affirmed that there were to be two possible paths for Buddha: he had the choice of following a worldly life and being a great emperor over a unified India, or he could embrace asceticism and become a world savior - a Buddha. The journey that Buddha took to enlightenment is well presented in this booklet - including his teaching of the Four Noble Truths ( 1. All life is dukkha, suffering; 2. The cause of dukkha is tanha, desire; 3. The cure to life's suffering - dukkha, is to let go of tanha; 4. There is a method for overcoming tanha. It is called the Eightfold Path.) and the Eightfold Path ( 1. Develop right knowledge; 2. Develop right aspiration; 3. Develop right speech; 4. Develop right behavior; 5. Develop right livelihood; 6. Develop right effort; 7. Develop right mindfulness; 8. Develop right absorption.
Place follows this with a section discussing the esoteric (archetypal) aspects of Buddhism: the archetypal aspect of Buddha is called Adi Buddha, meaning the primordial Buddha. Buddha encompasses the entire cosmos, with the cosmos having a center and four cardinal directions - creating a mandala. On the plane under the Adi Buddha are five great Buddha's called jinas -Sanskrit for conquerors, referring to someone who has conquered spiritual knowledge and time. Each Jina represents a direction and the associations with that direction. Each Tarot suit is represented by one of the Jina's, with border color for each suit representing the color associated with each specific Jina. The magickal implements associated with each Jina take the place of the traditional suit symbols. (c) March 2004
Bonnie Cehovet
Masterpiece July 12, 2004
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
Renowned artist and tarot scholar/writer Robert M. Place has produced a masterpiece in his new tarot deck, the Buddha Tarot. His 384 page companion book, The Buddha Tarot Companion: A Mandala of Cards is truly that - the perfect companion for this deck. Both afford a rich unique perspective of the Tarot through the lens of the Buddhist paradigm. The deck comes in a beautifully illustrated box containing exquisitely designed cards that fit perfectly in my hand, a tiny black gossamer bag plus a bordered little white box with the instructions, "Embellish this box with protective and/or empowering symbols." Other suggestions that greet you as you begin your journey with the Buddha cards include: "Smudge with sage to cleanse and re-energize the cards after a reading." and "Store your deck with stones or crystals that absorb negative energy, promote healing, or provide protective energy." Also included in the box is a mini-book with guidelines on reading these particular cards. Both items are published by Llewellyn, who as always, have taken great care to ensure quality and aesthetics in the way the cards are packaged and presented.Robert has done an amazing job in correlating the life of the Buddha with the Tarot journey through the cards. He describes how the Major Arcana fits perfectly with the life of Siddhartha and his journey of enlightenment. Each of the tarot trumps is a stage on the mystic's journey to enlightenment. In fact, it is Mr. Place's belief that the creators of the Tarot were directly influenced by the life of the Buddha, and incorporated archetypes into the Major Arcana based on his journey. He teaches that the ancient wisdoms were not isolated from one another. Instead, "the classical world maintained communications with India and the ancient Western philosophers were familar with Indian philosophies." As well, the Islamic world introduced the Christians to the life of the Buddha during the Middle Ages. "The European Christians were enamored with the story, and they transformed him into a Christian saint - St. Josaphat." June Kaminski, BellaOnline's Tarot Editor
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