Volker Zotz

Volker Zotz Ph.D. (Ācārya Sudarśanavajra), born in 1956, was a student of the German-Indian master Lama Anagarika Govinda (1898-1985) since 1972. Zotz is Govinda’s heir and spiritual successor as head of the initiating tantric order Ārya Maitreya Maṇḍala. This order was formed in Darjeeling in 1933 under Govinda’s leadership and is in the succession of the medieval Indian Siddhas. These were magicians, yogis, and alchemists. The members of the Ārya Maitreya Maṇḍala came from India, Nepal, Tibet, and Sikkim. From 1952 onwards, individual Europeans and Americans were also initiated.

As a professor of philosophy and intellectual history, Volker Zotz taught and researched at universities in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg as well as in Japan. He lived in Kyoto for ten years. Today he commutes between India and Europe. He founded the German-language cultural magazine Ḍamaru, which has been published for over forty years: www.da-ma-ru.de.

Volker Zotz’s more than 20 books mostly deal with the philosophies and spiritual paths of South and East Asia as well as surrealism.

He is currently preparing a book for Theion Publishing on the tantric perspectives, rituals, and practices of the Ārya Maitreya Maṇḍala. The book provides an authentic, practical insight into the centuries-old Indian Siddha tradition and its possibilities today. www.volker-zotz.de