John Blofeld (1913-1987) a fost un scriitor britanic, unul dintre marii specialisti occidentali in filosofiile si religiile asiatice, in special daoism si budism chinez. A studiat la Downing College, Cambridge University, urmand sa se specializeze in stiintele naturale. A calatorit in repetate randuri in China, iar in 1935 a obtinut o catedra de profesor la Hebei Academy of Industry din Tianjin. De aici, si ulterior din Beijing, unde s-a mutat cu familia, a intreprins lungi calatorii in Tibet, Mongolia, India si Burma, pentru a studia gandirea orientala si a vizita diferiti intelepti. In 1939 se intoarce in Anglia, devine membru al School of Oriental and African Studies de la Universitatea din London, unde se perfectioneaza in limbile chineza, japoneza, coreeana si malaesiana. Studiile sale academice au fost intrerupte de cel de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial. A facut o enorma munca de traducere, Occidentul ramanandu-i dator pentru numeroase tratate sapientiale sau religioase, in special tratate de buddhism chinez, scoala Chan, tantra tibetana si indiana. A fost deopotriva un prolific autor original, cartile sale fiind menite sa realizeze o punte intre doua spatii culturale si spirituale care, pana la el, pareau ireconciliabile. A murit de cancer, la varsta de 74 de ani, la Bangkok, Thailanda; cenusa i se pastreaza la templul Guan Yin, la constructia caruia a contribuit semnificativ.
Opera (selectiv):
- The Zen Teaching of Huang Po: On the Transmission of Mind - 1959
- City of Lingering Splendour: A Frank Account of Old Peking's Exotic Pleasures - 1961
- The Zen Teaching of Hui Hai - 1962
- I Ching, the Book of Change - 1968
- The Tantric Mysticism of Tibet: A Practical Guide to the Theory, Purpose, and Techniques of Tantric Meditation - 1970
- The Secret and Sublime: Taoist Mysteries and Magic - 1973
- Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin - 1977
- The jewel in the lotus: An outline of present day Buddhism in China - 1977
- Wheel of Life: The Autobiography of a Western Buddhist, 1978
- Taoism: The Quest for Immortality - 1979
- Gateway to Wisdom: Taoist and Buddhist Contemplative Healing Yogas - 1979 -1980
- The Chinese Art of Tea - 1985