The Hermit (Unabridged‪)‬

Inside the cave, the young monk bowed respectfully. "I have come to you for instruction, Venerable One," he said to the old hermit in a low voice. In response, the hermit instructed the monk in true cosmic laws and in the universal order that governs nature and humankind. He told of deep, dark secrets that had been passed on to him by a mysterious "Higher Order" who have protected and guided humans since the dawn of creation.

The old hermit told of a trip inside a "great metallic body" (a UFO perhaps) and of the visit to a vast cavern, where he was surrounded by various beings: "Here were small men and women, seemingly perfect in every detail and of godlike men, radiating an aura of purity and calm. Others were also manlike, but with curious birdlike heads, complete with feathers and with hands that, although human in shape, had astounding claws. Also there were the giants, immense creatures who loomed like statues, overshadowing their more diminutive companions."

Though blind, the old hermit was handed an amazing "sight box", which enabled him to view scenes that had been hidden from humankind for centuries, to protect them from unnecessary self-abuse and harm.

This is a tale of secrets, given only to the initiated, such as the author, T. Lobsang Rampa, perhaps the person most responsible - due to his widespread popularity in the mid-20th century - for first bringing Buddhism into the lives of ordinary westerners.