Book Description

Written by the Dalai Lama as a young man in exile, this dignified testament re-creates the miraculous search that identified him as the reincarnated leader of his country. It paints a rare, intimate portrait of Tibetan Buddhism-a way of life that would end with a terrifying foreign invasion surpassing sanity and reason. And it reveals the evolution of a man from gentle monk to a world leader, one struggling to this day to free his country...one able to touch our hearts with the goodness that makes him one of the most beloved men of our time. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A little disappointed, but still a good and important read
I am a college student who has studied China extensively in school. I can speak Chinese and have traveled to China several times and to Tibet once. While I have never agreed with many of the Chinese governments policies in the areas of religion, personal freedom, Tibet, and Taiwan, I think this book could have done more for its cause.

I decided to read this book after I spent 2.5 weeks in Tibet last year while studying in China. Tibet was one of the most fascinating places I have been to and I really wanted to know more about what happened there after China invaded. This book tells the Dalai Lama's story very well. Up until the last 15 pages or so, I really loved the book. However, before closing, the Dalai Lama makes several accusations about Chinese human rights abuses in Tibet (beatings, child abductions and the like) but provides no evidence of their existence.

While I personally feel Tibet was and still is a sovereign country and what China has done is wrong in many ways, the charges made in the last few pages don't belong in this book. While the Dalai Lama's story of his life and last days in Tibet are very powerful, I really think it would have been even better had the those last parting shots been omitted. Charges of human rights abuses such as these are very important and would be better served in a book of their own.

I think most Americans will enjoy this book but not share the same reaction I had to the last few pages. I have studied China for several years now and have heard accusations from both China and the world on countless occasions on a wide range of issues. Maybe this is why I get turned off when I don't see concrete evidence included when someone makes a charge such as the Dalai Lama does at the end of his book. I still think the Dalai Lama is a wonderful man and has an important story to tell, but feel this one could have come across a little better.

the failure of genocide
The cry to "free Tibet" takes on new meaning and a more personal conviction after reading this book. This original autobiograhpy, published in 1962, is an intimate narrative of the Dalai Lama's life from his humble beginnings as the son of a Tibetan farmer to his evolution as the greatest spiritual leader known to the modern world.
It is also the story of a young man struggling with responsibilities that are unimaginable for someone so young and of a remarkable people who were willing to give up their lives in order to protect their unique way of life.
But, more importantly, this book tells the story of an attempt by a mighty military power to eliminate a small peace-loving culture thus eliminating it's religion, a religion based simply on having compassion for all living things. In this regard, the efforts of the mighty power failed. The government of China may have been successful in taking the beautiful land from the Tibetans (thanks in part to the rest of the world turning a blind eye to what was happening) but the culture and religion is still thriving thanks to the efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his government in exile.
In conclusion, this book reminds us that we all need to be aware of how frangible freedom is and that all peace-loving people must join hands throughout the world, regardless of cultural and religious beliefs, to protect that precious thing called freedom.

A memoir that stirs up compassion and feeling
I started this book with the thought that I would gain a better sense of the history surrounding the current events in Tibet, where I recently visited. What I didn't anticipate was that the book would generate such strong feelings of compassion and emotion within me. Read it slowly and allow yourself to fully digest the Dalai Lama's simple but compelling portrayal of the suffering his people have encountered, as well as the incredible courage they displayed- as a testament of their deep devotion to him and their unwavering belief in their most valuable posession: Buddhist religion. I had to stop every so often and calm the inner turmoil I felt, as I read. While I have deep respect for the Dalai Lama and his own struggle to save his people & religion and to keep the Tibetan story alive, it is truly the Tibetan people who have proved their heroism and strength. When I read about them surrounding the Potala, armed only with sticks and determination, in order to protect their holy leader, it just overwhelmed me to remember that human struggles of the most basic kind are still occuring and need to be remembered and championed by those of us so far away. When I was in Tibet, I thought that it would be a tragedy to lose such a rich and vibrant culture but now after reading this, it's even more unimaginable. There are few cultures that cultivate such inner strength and whose people demonstrate such devotion for what is meaningful to them- I hope Tibetans will find a way to survive the continued oppression of China and that China will soon recognize the value of what they seem intent on destroying.

Dalai Lama inside
A very honest and personal but also historical and buddhist account of the Dalai Lamas life written in his very own words. Besides the tragedy of the the subjugation of the tibetan people, which was the cause for the Dalai Lamas exil and indirectly for the writing of this book, it shows the development of a and of this Dalai Lama, the monk Tenzin Gyatso, as he likes to call himself. Without pretention he reports about his priviledged education as "a prisoner" of the Potala, the castle of Lhasa. During the last decades, this book was an introduction into matters tibetan for many western people and it can still be recomended warmly.

An amazing story, who's ending has not yet been written.
Whether you are a fan of H.H. Dalai Lama or not, this book is fascinating. It is written with the energy of a young man in a passionate struggle to save his people. It will grip, inspire and anger you. Read the book, and you'll be moved to give your support to the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet in their fight for freedom. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Dalai Lama's autobiography should leave no one in doubt of his humility and genuine compassion. Written without the slightest hint of pretense, the exiled leader of Tibet recounts his life, from the time he was whisked away from his home in 1939 at the age of 4, to his treacherous escape from Tibet in 1959, to his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The backdrop of the story is the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet. He calmly relates details of imprisonment, torture, rape, famine, ecological disaster, and genocide that under four decades of Chinese rule have left 1.25 million Tibetans dead and the Tibetan natural and religious landscapes decimated. Yet the Dalai Lama's story is strangely one of hope. This man who prays for four hours a day harbors no ill will toward the Chinese and sees the potential for good everywhere he casts his gaze. Someday, he hopes, all of Tibet will be a zone of peace and the world's largest nature preserve. Such optimism is not naive but rather a result of his daily studies in Buddhist philosophy and his doctrine of Universal Responsibility. Inspiring in every way, Freedom in Exile is both a historical document and a fable of deepest trust in humanity. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Must read to understand the man...
At a time when so much attention is directed toward China and her brutalities, this book is a breath of fresh air.

From a playful, joke playing youngster to a determined, hopeful spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama is truly the most transcendental leader in the world today. At a time when most anyone would've given up, his perserverence and hope is a true inspiratioin for us all. The reader is not merely reading an account by account of the events in the Lama's life, but actually reliving and absorbing them. At times you are laughing at the Lama's sense of humor, other times you feel the Lama's pain when driven out of his homeland.

The Dalai Lama's hope for the future is one we all need to understand, and inspire ourselves to better not only our conditions, but of those millions around the world whose conditions are worse than our own.

Moving and well written
The story of the Dalai Lama and his people as told by His Holiness is charmingly written. (He uses words like 'whilst and amongst'.)

We follow the very young playful boy from his very modest home in the Tibetian province of Amdo to the capital of Lhasa where his education as a Buddhist monk begins. He relates much detail about the rich culture and beauty of Tibet; however he is honest about it's isolation and failure to keep up with a more modern world.

As he tells of the miliary and political struggle with China, one can almost feel the tension mount. The account of his escape into exile is exciting, yet sad. The destruction of Tibet, the atrocities upon its people, and the genocide still being committed there is more than sad. Yet, the Dalai Lama does not hate. He has compassion even for those who have caused the suffering of the Tibetian people.

Great book. I recommend it.

Hearbreaking
Knowing nothing at all about His Holiness The Dalai Lama or Tibet/China relations I was eager to learn more. As a convert from Catholicisim to Buddhism, I was pleased to read that the Dalai Lama considers himself to be just a regular human, who was chosen to fulfill a specific role. After reading this book, you get the sense that he would be a very pleasant person to talk with.
On the downside, I was absolutely shocked to read about what the Chinese Government has done to Tibet and its people. Tibet is a peace loving country and to be in the army, was the lowest form of life. A 17 point 'agreement' was drawn up by the Chinese for Tibet. Members of the Tibetan delegation were forced under duress to sign the agreement and phony Tibetan state seals were used. Large Tibetan estates were confiscated and redistributed by the Chinese. After monks and nuns were arrested, they were forced, in public, to break their vows of celibacy with one another and even to kill people.
The Tibetan Freedom Fighters were no match for the Chinese army. Besides using bombers to obliterate towns and villages, the Chinese army also crucified, disembowelled, beheaded and buried many Tibetans alive. In order to prevent Tibetans from giving praise to the Dalai Lama on their way to execution, the Chinese tore out their tongues with meat hooks.
It was really disheartening to read about what happened to these people. I think this is a book that everyone at some point needs to read. It really opened my eyes.

Great Book
This was the first book I had ever read by (or about) the Dalai Lama. I thought it was a great introduction to his life and his way of thinking. Overall I thought this was a great book. I think everyone should read it.

Free from the gilded cage -- but at what cost.
Not long ago, the question was posed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as to why he penned his autobiography -- Freedom in Exile. To this query he responded with: 'I am human being who had quite a lot of sad situation, yet my mental health seems not bad. I think some people might find some idea [in my tale], some small contribution for inner peace, for happiness.' The story starts in a small village in the roof of the world at an altitude of 3 miles deep in Eastern Tibet... Lhamo Thondup was only 2 when the monks came to fetch him 1937. The search party waltz right into his peasant parents' farmhouse and things were never the same again. Lhamo Thondup was eventually taken away to Lhasa -- the fabled capital in the Land of the Snows. He was God - recognized through the a dozen omens - skeptics will always question - (a) the way the head of the recently deceased 13th Dalai Lama had turned in its coffin toward the east, (b) the direction of the boy's home, and (3) the vision of the child's very house seen in the lake of Lhamo Lhatso by a Reting Rinpoche. When the young Lhamo was escorted to the late 13th Dalai Lama's room at the summer palace in Norbulingka, the toddler allegedly motioned toward a little case and announced nonchalantly, 'My teeth are in there.' To the amazement of the accompanying monks a set of the late 13th false teeth were contained therein.

The Dalai Lama told Newsweek, 'Exile has made me tougher.' Moreover, according to his younger brother Tenzin Choegyal, exile has 'enabled him [the Dalai Lama] to realize his full potential.' This achievement did have a price -- in the Potala, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was both secluded and isolated. If one positive thing has resulted from his having to depart Tibet, was that he was brought closer to the plight of his own people and the rest of the world. Tenzin Gyatso, now the 14th Dalai Lama was given the chance to see things as they really are. In 'Freedom in Exile' the message becomes a universal one - one that transcends a locality and that is what makes this book so compelling and necessary. From being the most secluded leader of the modern world, the 14th Dalai Lama is now among the most traveled, most celebrated and best known. The humble figure in maroon robes has become the locus of attention for the world's angst about Chinese authoritarianism and ideological expansion. The situation of the Tibetans - as penned by the Dalai Lama in 'Freedom in Exile' is proof positive that despite Mao's utterances that 'Religion is Poison' - we are left thinking perhaps the reverse is true - 'Non-Religion is Poison'.

Ironically, this is not the role to which he was born. The Dalai Lama not have mixed with ordinary people in Tibet if it had not been for the Chinese invasion. I guess this statement may never be proven true nor false as it hinges on pure speculation. In 'Freedom in Exile' the Dalai Lama does allude to the need form change j-but not at the pace and form that the Chinese used. As he outlines in his autobiography, 'Freedom in Exile,' on the rare occasions he left his official residence -- the cold 1,000-room Potala palace in Lhasa -- he moved past his minions on a yellow silk palanquin, pulled by 20 army officers in green cloaks and red hats and surrounded by hundreds of men: monks and musicians, sword-wielding horsemen and 'porters carrying my songbirds in cages and my personal belongings all wrapped in yellow silk.' To ensure the people didn't get too near, the monastic police encircled the whole entourage. 'In their hands they carried long whips, which they would not hesitate to use,' he wrote. Sad for one so attuned now to the needs of his people.

The country over which he ruled was a land of people who believed the Buddha's tenet that one's action in this life determines one's fate in the next. Since the establishment of Buddhism as Tibet's chief religion in the eighth century, parents had inculcated into their children that all life, animal and human, is sacred. 'I have never seen less evidence of hatred, envy, malice and uncharitableness [than in Tibet],' penned Hugh Richardson, British India's trade consul to the remote nation in the 1940s. However, that peace in the 'Rooftop of the World' was violently destroyed when in 1950, 84,000 PLA troops launched a dawn offensive against six different positions along the border. According to his account, in 1959, the Dalai Lama, by then age 24, fled for his life through the snow across 17,000-foot Himalayan passes into India in an effort to preserve his nation, his people and his heritage. Since then, he has lived in the Indian mountain village of Dharamsala, the capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The book is full of references to a man with a sense of purpose -- rising at 4 a.m. daily to meditate, meet with cabinet members and refugees and pursue worldly interests that include Western neurobiology and physics.

Miguel Llora ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The regal gift anthology A Simple Monk stands apart from the glut of books about the 14th Dalai Lama. Alison Wright's glorious photographs deliver a visual feast of the landscape and people of Tibet, as well as the face of the Dalai Lama--all of which contain an inspiring blend of serenity and joy against a backdrop of political suffering. Like the photography, the six essays educate readers while avoiding hyperbole and guru worship. One of the most compelling contributions comes from the Dalai Lama's mother, Diki Tsering, who speaks of her son with frank authority. Who would have thought that this peaceful monk was once a 1-year-old tyrant? When he toddled upon people quarreling, he'd pick up a stick and "try to beat them," according to his mother. In straightforward prose, she also recounts the many omens and coincidences that pointed to her son being the next Dalai Lama. Other essays include an interview conducted by Spalding Gray, in which the Dalai Lama speaks of his daily meditation practice (from 4 to 8 a.m.), how he overcomes fear of terrorism and flying, and how he resists the allure of bikini-clad women at the swimming pool. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Beautiful Book!
This is simply a beautiful book. Early this morning, I gave
it one star and was a bit mean. It didn't get through the submission process. I said words to the effect that the Dali Lama was dictatorial about religious freedom. And that he suppressed religious freedom in 1977 in regards to the Dorje Shugden controversy. I talked to a NKT Buddhist nun this afternoon. And she told me that if you are devoted to the Dali Lama as your teacher, then your practice is pure and you are practicing the dharma fully. This is such a wonderful book. With essays written by different authors. And the pictures are almost breath-taking. The layout of the pages is stunning.
And it just fabulous to read. I know that you will enjoy it. It
is a real gem. And perhaps we should leave politics behind.

Much more than your usual collection of quotes
A Simple Monk presents Robert Thurman's gathering of writings on the Dalai Lama, presenting such writings and reflections in a new visual biography which adds full-color images by photojournalist Alison Wright. The result is much more than your usual collection of quotes: a fine, rich gift edition.

Thanks to "a reader from Yellow River" for their review
The "a reader from Yellow River" inspired me to order this book and the corresponding video, as a message of compassion and peace, which is what we - and most of all me - needs in our world, at all times and right now.

It's a message that in particular, we as Amercians, after the "events of September 11" - now and in the present - need to hear, listen and LEARN. This review was so thoughtful, comprehensive and detailed that I can't wait to get the book and read it "through and through." The "reader from Yellow River" made the money sound more than worth it, and I'm sure it will be!

"What price peace?"

What price is peace worth? "It's worth it's weight in gold."

The question is, "how do we achieve this?"

I hope the answer (or part of "the answer") can be found in this book. Will let you know what I learn.

Lovely to look at, to hold...well done
HH The dalai Lama is a publishing industry unto himself. Nary an unpublished utterance has come forth in recent years,with mostly success. This volume is a tribute to the Dalai Lama,with gorgeous photos by Alison wright. Robert Thruman gives a rather quiet introduction , The Dalai Lama's mother, in an exerpt from her biography tells of how he was discovered,Spalding gray has a wonderful interview with some telling moments{descibing moments of doubt, violent thoughts and lust].Pico Iyer gives, for me, the best article in the book[the God in exile}and, throughout the volume, Alison wrights lovely photographs, of the dalai lama, of pilgrims prostrating themselves in prayer, of buddhist scripture lovingly pictured with some interesting quotes{TOM BROKAW"I LOVE A LIVING GOD WITH A BIG HEART."}and some not so interesting{STEven Seagalon the religious political conection] compliment the essays Over all, a lovely gift beautifully presented, wonderful endpapers and binding. an overall pleasure to read and to own. Similar books are A SIMPLE PATH{Thorsons publishing} and Alison Wrights THE SPIRIT OF TIBET{Snow LIon publications}. Excellent.

The once and future Tibet
As the child Lhamo Dhondup born in the wood hog year of 1935, he was known for accepting candy only to pass on to someone else, usually an elder; the dignity of intelligent action and speech beyond his years; a dislike for cigarette smoking, dusty shoes, quarrelsome people, and tattered and torn clothing; and sitting only on eye level with others, never at anyone's feet, even before he was recognized as the incarnation of the Boddhisattva of Compassion and as the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. Under the name of Tenzin Gyatso, he became known, among other things, as a completer of the Geshe Lharampa, the highest level of scholarly achievement in Buddhist philosophy; Holder of the White Lotus; Ocean of Wisdom; Protector of the Land of Snows; and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace. Despite the worldwide recognition, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama describes himself as A SIMPLE MONK passionate about BBC world service news breaks, flowers, green as his favorite color [even though he is only seen publicly in Tibetan colors], small instrument and watch repairs, Tibetan dumplings made in the style of his native province of Amdo, and world culture and history. Editor Tom Morgan has brought five excellent writers together in a fascinating, reader-friendly book that leaves us better informed on Bstan-dzin-rgya-mtsho's ability to live in the present moment; capacity for operating with an open and practical mind; and commitment to compassion, meditation, peace, and responsibility. I particularly liked Columbia University Professor Robert AF Thurman's contributions to the book and the Dalai Lama's statement that he will die in a free Tibet if he lives to be 100. This beautifully illustrated and carefully put together book reads particularly well with THE DALAI LAMA'S SECRET TEMPLE by Ian Baker, KUNDUN [on which the video is based] by Mary Craig, PILGRIM by Richard Gere, THE BON RELIGION OF TIBET by Per Kvaerne, TIBET: THROUGH THE RED BOX by Peter Sis, and any book by Dr Thurman. ... Read more

Book Description

IF YOU COULD ASK A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER ANYTHING YOU WANTED...

Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has honored the world's great geniuses in the most important fields: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, economics, and world peace. What if children could ask these creative thinkers about some of life's most intriguing mysteries, such as "Why can't I live on french fries?" and "What is love?" The answers from the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Shimon Peres, Desmond Tutu, and seventeen other Nobel Prize laureates are rich with surprise, humor, and of course, wisdom. Every single answer will make you think...and learn something new.

WHAT IS LOVE?
The Dalai Lama

WHY CAN'T I LIVE ON FRENCH FRIES?
Richard J. Roberts

WHAT IS POLITICS?
Shimon Peres

WHY IS THE SKY BLUE?
Mario J. Molina

WHY DO I FORGET SOME THINGS AND NOT OTHERS?
Erwin Neher

WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL?
Kenzaburo Oe

WHY IS THERE WAR?
Desmond Tutu

WHY DO WE FEEL PAIN?
Günter Blobel

HOW DO I WIN THE NOBEL PRIZE?
Mikhail Gorbachev

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE RICH AND OTHERS POOR?
Daniel L. McFadden

...AND ELEVEN OTHER RESPONSES ... Read more

Reviews (2)

With a forward by his holiness, the fourteenth Dalai Lama
With a forward by his holiness, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Glenn Mullin's The Fourteen Dalai Lamas: A Sacred Legacy Of Reincarnation showcases the sacred mythology associated with six hundred years of the Dalai Lamas who stood as the principal spiritual leaders of Central Asia. here is to be found a magnificently presented spiritual and political history of these amazing men who stood as gurus and spiritual advisors to Mongolian Khans and Chinese emperors, as well as the millions of peoples inhabiting the dozens Central Asian kingdoms spread over more than half a millennium. The Fourteen Dalai Lamas is an essential, core addition to any personal, academic, or community library collection on Buddhist history, beliefs, and biographies.

History of the Dalai Lamas
Glenn Mullin has written several books on Tibetan Buddhism, biographies of several Dalai Lamas, has been trained in Tibetan Buddhism by many senior spiritual masters and has known the current 14th Dalai Lama since the 1970's. With this as a basis he has produced the first history of the Dalai Lamas, in terms of them as an institution, as a beacon of spiritual leadership as well as showing the unique personalities of the Dalai Lamas and their close associates. This remarkable work should be of interest to anyone who likes a great story, whether they are Buddhists or not, religious or not. It shows a view of Tibetan history from the political intrigues of medieval Asia, the Great Game of Britain and Russia, to the genocide of Tibetans and their culture at the hands of the Communist Chinese. Its a fascinating look at one of the world's great spiritual traditions. It provides insight into one of the world's great tragedies - the refusal of the Chinese government to allow the Tibetan people their right to self determination. And it shows that the Dalai Lama is a not only a supreme credit to the Tibetan Race - but to the Human Race. ... Read more

Book Description

The biography of the thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet--full of stories, anecdotes and conversation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sir Charles and the Great Thirteenth
Sir Charles Bell was a career diplomat in the service of the British raj, the personification of the grandeur of an empire that spanned the world. The Great Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet was the spiritual and temporal leader of a remote and isolated theocracy in the heart of the Himalayas. Sir Charles represented the power and limitless potential of the new century. The Dalai Lama was the literal embodiment of an ancient lineage, an incarnation of the Buddha of Compassion, the ruler of one of the most inaccessible and forbidding places on earth. That the two men should find so much in common and develop a bond of deep and lasting friendship is a wonder that does credit to them both. 'Portrait of a Dalai Lama : The Life and Times of the Great Thirteenth' is the story of that friendship.

Sir Charles takes us into a bygone Tibet, fearful of and hostile to outsiders. He brings to life the cold and dusty streets of Lhasa, a capital hundreds of years out of step with the modern world, and introduces us with remarkable sensitivity to a culture that is so alien to our own that it could easily belong on another planet. He describes the hardship, the inconvenience, the discomfort of life on the cold, arid Tibetan plateau in a way that emphasises the dignity of the people who flourish there. That hygiene in Tibet at the turn of the 20th Century was low by the standards of a cultured European is not ignored; but through his eyes we see that the comparison is unimportant in a near arctic climate; the dustiness of a noble's home is insignificant when measured against the hospitality and warmth of a noble spirit. We see that what Tibet lacked in material development it made up for in a level of ethics and philosophical sophistication that might have been the envy of the world.

The Great Thirteenth (The present Dalai Lama of Tibet is the fourteenth emanation) brought his country to terms with the new age. He modernised government, the judiciary, and Tibet's tiny army through sheer hard work and unflinching determination, in the face of fierce opposition from monks and aristocrats. Sir Charles shows us a lonely man driven by a powerful vision. The Dalai Lama desperately tries to redefine Tibet's relationship with its powerful neighbours, Russia, British India, and China, which looms menacingly on the horizon. Both men clearly saw the impending Chinese onslaught, and both recognised the tragedy of what was to befall Tibet.

Sir Charles Bell gives us a unique insight into the personality of the man behind the ritual and pageantry of the Dalai Lama's high office. He shows us a man of profound intelligence and sensitivity, a man of wit and humour, a man quick to anger, a man of compassion. This man, who ruled with absolute authority and was revered as a living god, gave Sir Charles Bell his friendship; and, through his eyes, we see a man of warmth and charm, who loved his dogs and his garden. This is a moving book one should feel very privileged to read. ... Read more

Book Description

A unique oral portrait of the Dalai Lama, published to coincide with his 70th birthday

The Dalai Lama is one of the world's most beloved religious leaders, a man whose devotees include millions of ordinary people as well as celebrities such as Richard Gere, Goldie Hawn, and Patti Smith. Drawing on more than 50 interviews with the Dalai Lama's family, associates, and followers as well as with politicians, religious leaders, and critics, this revealing oral history explores the Dalai Lama's public career as well as his personal life-from his childhood in Tibet and his exile in 1959 to his role as a worldwide spiritual leader and human rights activist-and reveals the secrets behind his enduring popular appeal. ... Read more

Book Description

Now considered a classic, this is an eloquent and compellingly told account of the Dalai Lama's exile from Tibet after its conquest by China. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A tragedy easily confirmed
This book tells the sad history of Tibet under chinese rule through personal histories. This is not a difficult story to confirm. "Tears of Blood" by Mary Craig, "Whispered Prayers" by Steven Harrison and regular international media tell the same story of an opressive Chinese government. Read this and visit the official website of the Tibetan government in exile www.tibet.com or chick out www.tibetanphotoproject.com for a beginners introduction to Tibet. This story is relevant as we make decisions that will make China richer, or rather make a select few leaders richer and more powerful. If you truly want to understand the nature of what it means to deal with the Government of China read any of the above books and this one or go ask a Tibetan what it means to do business with the government of China? Genocide, torture, forced abortion and sterilization...This is an important book towards understanding the nature of the Government of China and what it means to do business with it.

Riveting and realistic
A must read to truly understand the complex story of Tibet, although it may disuade you from ever going there. This is the story of the destruction of Tibet, told through a narrative of political history and a few well-chosen personal stories. Internal squabbling contributed to the Tibetan's own downfall, but in the end this small underdeveloped nation could not have withstood the Chinese without significant support from the rest of the world, and that support was shamefully lacking in the 50's. The destruction that followed was unbelievable. I've always thought it would be fascinating to go there, but I now realize that the treasures of Tibet are probably now in China or in the hands of private collectors after the Chinese sold them off, and what's left is part of a carefully constructed show for tourists. I agree with the reviewer who says that Tibetan independence seems a long shot at this point, but the world should keep the pressure on until the Tibetans gain some measure of cultural and religious freedom. My only criticism of this book is that it ends in the mid-80's, and the newer edition that came out in the late 90's contains a rather feeble attempt to update the story through a chronology. Interesting though is the interview with the Dalai Lama.

Not easy to take
If your serious about learning about Tibet and the Chinese take- over read this book.Some of the more explicit chapters made me really angry and kept me questioning "How can humans treat each other this way"?

The Time for Dreaming is Ended
If you have had any Shangri-La type illusions about Tibet, this book will soon blow them away. Not that that is a bad thing, but just be warned. This book will open your eyes, make you laugh, weep, clench your fists and probably curse before you're done, but it will not leave you unchanged, either in your opinion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and especially of China.

This is a very balanced account from the Tibetan perspective of the period roughly from the end of WWII until 1990. In addition to an unvarnished account of Tibetan bravery, desire to retain their homeland at all costs and credulity, and unlimited Chinese brutality and treachery, there is a great deal of social insight woven in. This is not a "feel-good" story to garner sympathy for the Tibetans, this is a tell-it-like-is book whose message is so daunting that I'm not sure most of the world, much less the Tibetans themselves are ready to face much of it.

This is not a book so much about religion, although you cannot write about Tibet without writing about Buddhism, as about world politics thundering down on a small, isolated nation. It is about the bravery and resourcefulness of the Tibetan people and the greatness of their leader. And it is about the utter shameless cupidity and determination of the Chinese to lay hold of this strategic bit of real estate and anihilate its native population. This book should serve as a powerful reminder of what the PRC is capable of and just how much their talk is worth.

After reading this, I believe (and HHDL must realize) that the chances for any kind of an autonomous, much less independent, Tibetan region are slim to none, but that the facade needs to be kept up for political and morale reasons. None the less it is a bitter truth that the Chinese have done the rest of the world a favor: by driving the Tibetans out of Tibet, they have released a great force for peace and good to the rest of us in the form of Tibetan Buddhism and the presence of HHDL.

I do highly recommend this book.

Truth
Books Like "In Exile from the Lands of Snows and Movies like "Seven Years in Tibet" and "Kundun" destroy the myth of Shangri-La while portraying Tibet as real through participation in the production and giving advice on the historical accuracy of both movies and book giving Tibet complexity. The myth of Shangri-La as laid out by James Hilton in "Lost Horizon", as far as the West is concerned, is as real as any Homeric myth can be. Westerners, mired in the irony of losing a fantasy, do not have to deal with real flesh and blood issues. Deconstructing by examining the power relations lifts the veil of fantasy and offers a more authentic discourse. Read this book with an open mind and be ready to discard old notions of myth, fantasy and construction. A resounding 5 stars! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

a perfect book for this saber rattling period
This book is both beautifully written and illustrated. The Dalai Lama's message that love, not war, is the answer to the world's problems is presented quite well. Children will enjoy recognizing that this great man once was a child like them.

Highly spiritual book with a eye on human rights.
This book will be shared with my students. They have often endured many hardships in their lives and would enjoy hearing others' stories. The Dalai Lama is a very important person in the world and can not be ignored.

Complex story told clearly and with beautiful illustrations
Demi tells a potentially complicated story with clarity and simplicity. The illustrations are beautiful and evocative of the magical land in which the story is set. Where the takeover by Chinese Communist forces is concerned, you may need to fill your child in on some of the political background. Otherwise, the book is very accessible. ... Read more

Book Description

In May 1995, a seven-year-old Tibetan boy and his family were taken from their home by Chinese security forces. They have not been seen since. The boy's devotees believe him to be the eleventh incarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second most important incarnation in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. Isabel Hilton tells the gripping inside story of how this child became the pawn in a battle between the Chinese regime and Tibet's exiled religious leader, the Dalai Lama. In revealing the political intrigue that accompanied the race to choose and enthrone the eleventh Panchen Lama, Hilton "clarifies a great deal about the nature of Tibetan culture and history and the complexities of Tibet's relationship with China" (New York Times). 21 b/w photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

If you want every possible detail, read this book. If not..
Just a small bit of contrary opinion, to balance out all the enthusiastic reviews. In particular, I wanted to disagree with the reviewer below who wrote "This book is a must read if you're the least bit interested in Chinese-Tibeten (sic) relationship."

Fair warning: this book will tell you all you every wanted to know about the relationship between China and Tibet, and much, much more. If you aren't likely to be overwhelmed by details and a lot of rather complicated and dry history of Tibet, then this is the book for you. If you want more of an introduction, then perhaps better is HH the Dalai Lama's "My Country, My People."

If You're the Least Bit Interested in Tibet-China Relations
A number of people have written excellent reviews of this book so I'm just here to say that they're all right! This book is a must read if you're the least bit interested in Chinese-Tibeten relationship of the past, present and future...

The fate of Tibet
This is a wonderful book to introduce some of the basic issues and history that lead to the current state of Tibet, its government, its people and its religion. Hilton walks you through some historical passages so that by the time she is delving into the search for the 11th Panchen, you have a good sense of the urgency of the situation and why both the Tibet government in exile and China were desparately trying to control the outcome. The fact that Hilton was privy to some top secret information and met with a variety of other key figures allows her to provide more emotion and intimacy to the story than perhaps otherwise. While we all now know the terrible outcome of the search, reading the details and chronology are still suspenseful and gripping. I felt so hollow at the end, knowing that little has changed in Tibet and wondering if it ever will. Where is the true Panchen (I can't believe China has not been forced to free him) and what is the fate of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism after the passing of the 14th Dalai Lama??? Reading about China's cruelty made me wonder if Tibet can survive even the next thirty years but yet, there is hope when thinking of the courage Tibetans have demonstrated thus far.

Mousewitz
Find out what U.S. based traitors er traders are supporting in this book. Especially the entertainment & media industries. Disney, MGM, besides Amazon.com. While building lucrative careers for entrepreneurs who relocate to the U.S.A. Like John Woo, Chow Yun Fat, and Jackie Chan.

Outstanding, and Much More Than the Title Suggests
This outstanding book covers not just the search for the Panchen Lama - currently the biggest struggle in Tibet/China relations, but offers an extensive history of Tibetan Buddhism's struggle with the Chinese communists. Isabel Hilton has become a trusted correspondent of the Dalai Lama, and has gained his confidence in accurately reporting his conflicts with China. Thus Hilton not only gets many interviews with the big guy himself, but also extensive access to the intricate world of Tibetan Buddhism.

The search to find the current Panchen Lama, the reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama who died in 1989, is not covered in detail until you are two-thirds through the book. In the meantime, Hilton interrupts descriptions of her travels through Tibet, China, and India (which serve as an enjoyable travelogue in themselves) with extensive forays into the history of the numerous Dalai and Panchen Lamas, as well as Tibetan Buddhism itself and the Chinese invasion and continuing suppression of the religion. The late Panchen Lama is covered in great detail, and his lifetime of persecution by the Chinese government occupies much of the book.

Hilton delivers many keen revelations about the current situation. She debunks the view of our American celebrity Buddhists that Tibet is a shangri-la in which everyone deeply meditates in pure devotion, and a serene life of deep thought is enjoyed by all. We learn instead that they have their factionalism and infighting like everyone else. We also learn that the Dalai Lama does not have the universal devotion of all Tibetan Buddhists (there are some dissidents), and that he may be losing his spiritual grip on his people, from his continuing exile in India.

The heartbreaking conclusion of the book reveals the cruel fate of the little boy who was found by the Dalai Lama to be the reincarnated Panchen Lama. He was taken into custody by the Chinese and hasn't been seen since. The Chinese have spent the past fifty years suppressing all religious activity, but now are trying to convince the world that they are better able to perform a profoundly religious ritual, the search for the Panchen's reincarnation, than the spiritual leader himself (the Dalai Lama). The actions of the Chinese have lead to scorn and derision from the rest of the world, as they have imprisoned one small boy indefinitely and installed another boy as the spiritual leader of a religion that doesn't accept him, and condemned him to life as a puppet. Yes, the Chinese government has egg on its face, but that doesn't alleviate the sad fate in store for those two young boys. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior
Ani Pachen & Adelaide Donnelly (2000), Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior-Nun, New York: Kodansha International, pp 293. Foreword by the Dalai Lama and preface by Richard Gere.

Some people live lives of such difficulty and suffering that it is hard to imagine how they carry on. Other people live lives in which they inflict so much suffering and difficulty that it is hard to imagine how they carry on. This book is a story of both kinds of lives.

It is primarily the story of Ani Pachen: a Tibetan woman born to a privileged life who lost everything when the Chinese invaded, became a resistance leader, was captured, tortured and endured 21 years of horrific imprisonment. When finally released she took part in protest movements before fleeing to India where she became a nun.

It is also a larger story of the Tibetan people and their Chinese oppressors. Invaded, oppressed, mistreated and murdered, the Tibetan people have endured for almost half a century their own holocaust in which 1 million of their 6 million people have been killed. This book puts a personal face on their suffering. As such it is a moving monument to the courage and forbearance of a person and a people. A moving foreword by the Dalai Lama and an equally moving preface by Richard Gere add further perspectives to the book. As Richard Gere concludes "May this book help to dispel the darkness of this darkest night of Tibetan history and be of benefit to all beings everywhere. May the hearts of our Chinese brothers and sisters be opened and may they quickly come to their senses."

Two Women of Genius
Sorrow Mountain is both a novel and a woman's life story. As Adelaide Donnelley explains in an afterword, "It is as much narrative as strict biography." Stories of the "life" of Ani Pachen, including her spiritual power to transcend torture and twenty-one years of imprisonment, and to transform destruction into hope, were the BASIS for this remarkable book. Ani Pachen wanted to be a nun, living peacefully and not killing (many Tibetan people have a religious calling); the circumstances of her birth forced her to become a warrior against the Chinese (again, this echoes the history of those of her generation). Captured, imprisoned, and tortured, she preserved her spiritual beliefs and her integrity (again, read the story of many her generation; the difference is that so many did not survive). Ani Pachen survived, made it to Dharamsala, and finally lives a life of meditation and spiritual focus. Thousands of Tibetans have escaped; many of those now live in northern India with His Holiness. The spiritual example they set: certainty of impermanence, compassion, forgiveness, and detachment--works for everyone on the planet. All of this matters.

But there is something more which matters. This book, like the story of its subject, transcends and crosses boundaries: in form, in approach. It is a novel, a spiritual guidebook, a history of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. The tone is mythic: "My country was once at the roof of the world, a place where the great spirits lived." The tone is cinematic: "In a darkened corner of my mind, a small patch of green appears. I watch it grow brighter, larger, until a vast green meadow stretches out at my feet. The meadow is dotted with clusters of flowers and is treeless, except for a willow or two." The tone is intensely personal, acutely descriptive: in prison, "The lice were so bad that I could see them crawling all over the heads in front of me. So thick I could sweep them off with my hand and not make a difference in their numbers."

The story is woven of dreams, memories, Buddhist teachings, horrors re-lived or imagined, and above all details that give it taste, sound, texture, and breath. As a work of art, it breaks all prior boundaries and should be studied by all writers who ever consider telling life stories--their own or anyone else's. If there is any drawback to the book, it is only that we cannot know what is Ani Pachen's voice and what is Adelaide Donnelley's. A Buddhist would assure us that the illusion of separation is unimportant, temporary, superficial. A Buddhist would tell us that Ani Pachen's story, and Adelaide Donnelley's storytelling genius, have become one voice for all of us. As the editor of another woman's life story, I come to this book to learn. I look back at my work and see how much trouble I took to leave Mpho Nthunya's voice exactly as it was, to be merely a secretary, taking dictation from her. I tried to keep my white privilege and sensibility out of the way of her African experience and her African ways of seeing. I think that was a good thing to do. But I deeply admire the merging of voices in the Pachen/Donnelley collaboration. It is a miracle to read, to study, to learn from. I am deeply grateful for it.

Reality-check - read this book
Need a reality check? Feeling sorry for your life? Then read Sorrow Mountain and experience life at it's best and worst. It will lift one out of ordinary existence into the realm of compassion and tolerance. One will begin to experience the essence of the Tibetan region and the mystical struggles of one held prisoner by torturous bandits who tried to steal the Heart of Compassion and failed. Turn off the tv "reality" shows and experience the real-ness of Ani Pachen and her Sorrow Mountain. I guarantee it will become your Sorrow Mountain too.

Inspiring story, beautifully written
I just finished reading this book and didn't want to put it down. The story of Ani Pachen is both horrifying and inspiring, how she against all odds not only survived but kept her faith, battling against her own anger at her captors to try to reach a higher spirit of generosity. The writing of Adelaide Donnelley is gorgeous and poetic, capturing the inner spirit and the mystical beauty of the land in words that lift this book to a high literary level. This book deserves to be widely read over many years. But it! Read it! It will move you.

History does repeat itself
Whether it is the plains of frozen Siberia in the Soviet Union or green pastures of Oswiecim in Poland, better (or worse for that matter) known as Aushwitz - history has been brutally repeating itself in the mountainous hights of Tibet in the current decades, outplaying itself right in front of our own opened (or shut) eyes.

This time the Red Chinese yet again dramatize the same vile and satanic scenario - ruthless homicide, destruction of an ancient culture of highest value to the humankind, brutal denial and annihilation of one of the most profound religious creeds of this planet, and thus prove and warn of their continuing disregard for all life.

If there is a difference, and an uplifting one, between the crematoriums of Aushwitz and those exiled who died in Syberia and that of the Tibetan destruction - the Tibetans uniquely defy their oppressors in life and death through their high and most advanced religious beliefs and their practice thereof.

The warrior nun is the most beautiful example of this truth - thanks to her sublime spiritual background and training, as well as a lifelong following of the holy example of lamas and gurus of her indomitable nation - she does have the truths of reincarnation and karma not only in her vocabulary but first of all in the deepest depths of her heart.

Such spiritual aristocracy is supremely prepared to face satanic oppressors with the legendary Chinese torturous twist. She has the unique mental and spiritual wherewithal to be able to suffer, survive and conquer. She has the body, sustained through her happy childhood on the best diets of the advanced eastern adepts, and the mind trained to perfection by the Buddhic practices of her holy faith, to be able to come out of the 21 years of the Communist hell and continue her life and service to the cause of freedom at the feet of the Dalai Lama in his (and hers) forced exile in India.

This book is a must reading for all informed and open-eyed Western readers - those who see the signs of the times and wish to do something about the probability, if not possibility, of the Tibetan scenario repeating itself in the West. Beware of the complacency and comfortability of our times - Ani Pachen, though raised according to the highest aristocratic lifestyle of her beloved Tibet - was never spoiled, indulged in or undisciplined but otherwise supremely prepared to face the challenge. And she did, victoriously.

Would you? . . . ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, Sidney Piburn put this book together in response to the clamor to know more about him. Since then, the Dalai Lama's own bestselling books, along with his world teaching tours, have only managed to increase his popularity, and The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness is still the best introduction to his life and teachings. Two full-length interviews elicit the Dalai Lama's thoughts on everything from his stature as an incarnate bodhisattva to how he manages the tragedies of his people, his political ideals, and even his hobby of gardening. Going further into his personal life, the "Day in the Life" article reveals the simplicity, devoutness, and genuine ordinariness of his lifestyle. A Time magazine piece by Pico Iyer provides a general background on his world since childhood, and expanding on his beliefs are several articles on kindness, religion, science, monasticism, and, the topic on which he is especially eloquent, living sanely. Questions and answers round out several of the articles, likely anticipating the reader's own questions and making this book a must-read for anyone wanting a brief capsule of this extraordinary monk. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Perfect Introduction
This book is perhaps the best introduction to the Dalai Lama available. In this slim, compact and hard-hitting book, you are exposed to the Dalai Lama and his ideas from all different angles. Perhaps that is what I like best about the book: Unlike other books which single-mindedly focus on one aspect of his thought, this one covers a lot of ground, and places the Dalai Lama's life in context. I found the book great, in that it blends the biographical with the intellectual, and the spiritual with the practical. For newcomers to the subject of Buddhism or to the Dalai Lama, this book is unmatched. Even for the introduced, however, this books is a gem. A well-edited anthology of writings about the Dalai Lama.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE BOOK:

1) The Dalai Lama's 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Lecture: A timely address to his "brother and sisters" around the world. A well-written call for peace and understanding.

2) An understanding of the Tibet-China issue in historical context, as well as the Dalai Lama's position on the matter.

3) A quick primer on meditation: What it is meditation? Why it is important, and how to go about practicing it?

4) In simple, straight-forward language, the Dalai Lama's philosophy of kindness and compassion as it applies to practical, everyday life.

5) A detailed discussion about the relationship between Buddhist doctrine, Faith and Science, as the Dalai Lama see it.

6) The Dalai Lama's thoughts on environmental protection and ecological awareness.

7) The Dalai Lama's words for Western Buddhist practicioners.

8) The Dalai Lama's vision of Religious Pluralism/Cooperation.

9) The Dalai Lama's take on universal human rights and responsiblities.

10) Two penetrating interviews with the Dalai Lama (conducted by John Avedon and Catherine Ingram)

11) Lastly, on a general note, you will be inspired to contemplate and practice living a truely ethical life.

New Age When New Age Wasn't Cool?
This book contains a number of interesting articles about the Dalai Lama as well as many illuminating speeches and addresses by him. One can't but be impressed by his concern for the suffering of the Tibetan people. At the same time - as a theist - I find much of what he teaches quite troubling. For example: "Since all the substances for enlightenment exist within ourselves, we should not look for Buddhahood somewhere else." [p. 79.] "Basically all the great teachers, such as Guatama Buddha, Jesus Christ, or Mohammed, founded their new teachings with a motivation for helping their fellow humans." [p. 57.] "Buddhists do not accept a creator; Christians base their philosophy on that theory." [p. 54.]

At least as reflected in this collection, the Dalai Lama's teaching is directly contrary to historic monotheism: there is no personal god, no created universe, no ultimate accountability, no sin. Man's solution is to look within. Not surprisingly, this "psychological" approach is in accord with our therapeutic culture. Indeed, much of today's "new age" movement seems to be taking its cues from Buddhism. In light of the "atheistic" (for lack of a better term) nature of the Dalai Lama's teachings, it is sad that may supposedly orthodox monotheists like John Paul II are so quick to praise him.

a great introduction book to the dalai lama's thinking
This book is a wonderful introduction to H.H. the Dalai Lama's philosphy and beliefs. Though it's a collection of articles from other sources this book should please everybody.

Insightful
This book is good and well rounded. It gives you a full perspective of the Dalai Lama, his works, responsibilities and teachings. ... Read more

Book Description

The Dalai Lama's story is revealed from his early family life to his experiences in the world, his education as the 14th incarnation of the Lama, his exile in India, and his current struggles to help Tibet regain its independence from China. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A definitive, and enlightening Work.
This biography of the Dalai Lama was both interesting and enlightening. One of the reviews I read felt that the treatment of the Communist Occupation of Tibet showed bias. I disagree. It is evident to me that Ms. Cronin has captured the essence of a truly remarkable man who, like many others, endures despite adversity. He is clearly a holy man. He is an inspiration to us all, and what we can achieve with faith. All of these attributes, come through in this work. I am gratified that the target market, our youth, will be well served with it. Who knows, it may spark the next Age of Reason in World Affairs!
The Dalai Lama resisted oppression and unlike some of our American Academics, he doesn't apologize for it.

The Dalai Lama
Very well researched and informative. A must read for those interested in the Dalai Lama.

Finally I get it
The Dalai Lama was was just a name to me. It was difficult to understand how a 3 year old child could be chosen to lead his people. This book clearly discribes the life and customs of the Tibetan people as well as the difficulties between Tibet and China in an easy to read chronological order. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Marvelous !
Matthieu Ricard has created a work of art. Remaining true to the poetic beauty of the Tibetan original he has for the first time presented this important work to the west. Also, his notes and appendixes on historical and buddhist backgrounds are invaluable. For the first time the reader is presented with the life of a Tibetan saint and his lineage formerly largely unknown among western students of Tibetan buddhism. A tuely inspiring page-turner !

Highly informative and Inspirational work!
Never have I come across such an inspiring piece of buddhist literature. Plan on having your life and your practice changed forever after reading the life story of this amazing yogin.

Great Book
If you are a serious student of Tibetan Buddhism, this biography belongs on your bookshelf! (In fact, it's probably already there!)

Never mind. If you are an aspiring serious student, this book will be an inspiration. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A coffee-table book that is more than just pretty pictures, The World of the Dalai Lama challenges the mind as much as it delights the eye. On one level, it is a gorgeous mosaic of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and Tibetan Buddhism; on another level, it is a sincere introduction to the religion, society, and plight of Tibetan Buddhism. Gill Farrer-Halls, a long-time practitioner of the religionproffers photographs of the Dalai Lama at 3 and 5 years of age, of a soldier raising the Chinese flag over Tibet, and of Westerners studying in Dharamsala as early as 1970. More recent photographs are of child tulkus, religious rituals, and the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Prize.Farrer-Halls also includes a special interview with the Dalai Lama and excerpts from his writings and talks. The World of the Dalai Lama is a grand tour of a uniquely compelling universe. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fascinating interview-based biography
I've read several of Whitney Stewart's bios, and come to realize she is a highly conscientious biographer who bases her bios on iterviews with her subjects. Few biographers for children bother with interviews; most glean highlights about theis subjects' lives from secondary materials.

In contrst, Stewart interviews her subjects. She interviewed the dalai lama for this book and it shows in the quality and quantity of details she presents. For example, she mentions a heartbreaking childhood memory of the dalai lama's: When he was a child, a poor couple passed their house with a dead child. The Dalai Lama's mother offered to help them bury the child, but they were so desperately hungry that--well, you can guess what they were intending, in their desperation. Instead, the dalai lama's family fed and helped them.
That's the kind of detail a biographer doesn't come up with easily--not unless they have their subject before them, telling them their first hand story.
I am an adult reader, and feel the book, like all her bios, are appropriate for both kids and adults. Bravo!

Where's my daughter's review?
My nine year old daughter wrote a review of this book which we bought from you. What happened to it? Schuling@AOL.com

Little Dali Lhama
A great biography about the Dali Lhama and Tibet. It is easy to read and very instresting. A good amount of vocabulary for 7-10 year olds. Whitney Stewart makes it much easier to understand about the Dali Lhama and what is happening in Tibet. END ... Read more

Book Description

Born to humble but prosperous peasants in 1901, the Year of the Ox, Diki Tsering grew up a simple girl with a simple life and the ordinary ambition to be a good wife and mother. When faith and fate led her son Lhamo Dhondup to be recognized as the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, her world altered completely.

In Dalai Lama, My Son she recounts her own amazing story from her early life with her "tended family and siblings to the customs and rituals of old Tibet and her arranged marriage at age sixteen. She vividly recalls the births of her children and their Buddhist upbringing; His Holiness, unfolding personality; the visitors who came to her town to seek the new Dalai Lama; the family's arduous move to Lhasa; and the years there until the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the family's escape and eventual exile.

Rich in historic and cultural details, this moving glimpse into the origins of the Dalai Lama personalizes the history of the Tibetan people, the magic of their culture, the role of their women. and their ancient ideals of compassion, faith, and equanimity. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Dalai Lama, My Son
A serious, yet interesting audio book about the story of the Dalai Lama as told from his mother's perspective. Only 4 cassettes long, this unabridged version of the book drew me into the unique culture of Tibet in the early 20th century. The music was peaceful as well as the voice of the reader. In addition, I recommend the breath-taking video "Kandu"; also about the upbringing of the Dalai Lama.

...
I beleave this book was insightful. It was fairly simple to read, and was worded well. however, reading this, and several other books for an honors project, i must say that it takes a different reader to enjoy. i also read invading tibet, which i thought was much more fun to read. Dalai lama my son is a good book, but to me it seemed flat.

Tibet in a Different Light
This is a magnificent autobigraphy. Also, a very upsetting one. The "Tibet in Exile" website claims that Tibet had women's rights. This book by the Dalai Lama's mother claims otherwise. In Amdo, which is Eastern Tibet, they had a custom that seemed to work for adultery. But not for women. The family of the woman who was the offender were required to kill her. Dike Tsering goes into more detail. Also, if a man died leaving his wife alone, she was required not to marry for three years. Then the family would conduct "secret negotiations" for profit. This caused many Tibetan women to commit suicide. The book also displays the tremendous impact of astrology. How you got married, who you married, and so forth. The astrologer was consulted on all matters of importance in the family. And there were ghosts. One ghost was resposible for the deaths of four of her children. In Lhasa, there were tremendous class distinctions! And Diki Tsering displays them simply as horrible snobs. This applys to the aristocrats who lived off their "bonded laborers". And wouldn't even call them by name. They also acted like Diki Tsering was nothing but "a farm hand". The two regents who controlled Tibet while the Dalai Lama was growing up were Reting Rinpoche and Taktra Rinpoche. Reting was the first regent, until he was supposedly assasinated by Taktra Rinpoche. The author also believes, as did the people of Tibet, that Taktra Rinpoche poinsoned her husband, the father of t