【198】Alexandra David-Neel

Alexandra David-Neel: A French Woman in Tibet 出自清华大学出版社的《中学生百科英语3 》

Alexandra's Life (1868-1969)

Throughout her life

1. traveled in India and China

2. studied the Buddhist religion, wrote articles and books about it, and collected ancient Buddhist books

3. became a Buddhist herself

When she was 16

1. she ran away from school several times

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2. she ran away to England

In 1903

1. started working as a journalist

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2. writing articles about Asia and Buddhism for English and French magazines and newspapers

When she was 37, in 1904

she married Philippe-Francois Neel

In 1911

1. went to India to study Buddhism

2. her real travels began:

a. traveled in India

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b. traveled in Nepal

c. traveled in Sikkim

d. her goal was Tibet: what did she do?

1> she continued to study Buddhism & learned to speak Tibetan

2> traveled to villages and religious center

For the next 7 years

traveled in remote areas of China through desert heat and sandstorms and the rain, snow, and freezing temperature of the colder areas

In 1924

1. her preparations:

a. she darkened her skin and dressed as an old beggar

b. she carried only a beggar's bowl and a backpack

c. because she spoke Tibetan well

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2. difficulties she had:

a. freezing cold

b. sometimes not enough food

c. she was sick, and once she nearly died

3. her achievements:

a. reached her goal

b. collected more information about Tibetan Buddhism

In 1925

she returned to France

Since 1925

1. wrote about her research and adventures

2. translated ancient Tibetan religious books

In 1944

walked for days, flew to India and then home to France

7 weeks before her 101st birthday

she continued writing and translating until she died