Abstract

In terms of its literary origin, Hilton’s characterization of Shangri-La is much inspired by Tibetan Shambhala culture. The slight difference between the two terms “Shambhala” and “Shangri-La” may only lie in transliteration. For Tibetan people, “Shambhala” is the core of their religion system. And once a time, the world has been powered by a strong force of “searching for terrestrial Shambhala”. However, alleging that one is the orthodox “Shangri-La” or sparing no efforts to search for the last “Shangri-La” actually reflects the truth that people fail to understand the essence of the “Shambhala” culture. On the one hand, what westerners learn about “Shambhala” largely comes from the imaginary “Shangri-La” in the novel Lost Horizon. On the other hand, Hilton’s inspiration is not only limited by the times where he lives but also influenced by some dominating Christian values of the western world. Therefore, this paper is going to analyze the “religious experience” of typical characters from the perspective of western mysticism. By looking into the characteristics of the times when the novel is created, the paper will deconstruct the image of “Shangri-La” characterized by James Hilton. In addition, this paper will also restore the “true Shambhala” by analyzing some interpretations from ancient Buddhist texts. At the end of the thesis, differences will be revealed between the image of Hilton’s “Shangri-La” and that of Tibetan “Shambhala” in order to reflect the diversity between Christianity and Buddhism, western and eastern culture. 

Key words: mysticism Hilton’s Shangri-La Tibetan Shambhala Buddhist elements cultural difference

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

Chapter 1 Overview-2

1.1 Plot summary-2

1.2 Characters-2

Chapter 2 Mysticism-4

2.1 Mysticism: the key to religious experience-4

2.2 In search of mysticism in Lost Horizon-5

Chapter 3 Hilton’s Shangri-La-6

3.1 Hilton’s construction of Shangri-La-6

3.1.1 Image of Hilton’s Shangri-La-6

   3.1.1.1 Modernization-7

   3.1.1.2 Emphasis on “moderation”-7

   3.1.1.3 The pursuit of longevity-7

   3.1.1.4 The openness to the chosen ones-8

3.1.2 Connection with “Mysticism"-8

Chapter 4 Tibetan Shambhala-9

4.1.1 Inaccessibility-10

4.1.2 The power of will and mind-10

4.1.3 The eternal pursuit of “Tao”-10

4.1.4 Variability of existence-11

4.2 Connection with Buddhist philosophy-11

Chapter 5 Hilton’s Shangri-La vs. Tibetan Shambhala-12

5.1 Commonness with Buddhist philosophy-12

5.1.1 Viraganupassi-12

5.1.2 Nothingness-13

5.1.3 Golden Mean-13

5.1.4 Gradual Enlightenment-14

5.2 Differences between Hilton’s Shangri-La and Tibetan Shambhala-14

5.2.1 fixation vs. variation-14

5.2.2 of the day vs. of the future-15

5.2.3 of the Occident vs. of Tibet-15

5.3 Causes of differences-16

5.3.1 The author’s subjectivity-16

5.3.2 Social factors of that epoch-17

5.3.3 Cultural differences between the Occident and the Orient-18

Conclusion-18

Notes-20

Bibliography-21

Acknowledgments-22