In this astonishingly frank autobiography, the Dalai Lama reveals the remarkable inner strength that allowed him to master both the mysteries of Ti...
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reviews
Feb 22, 2009
Jenny
rated it: 
A very good read. Provided me the background of the happenings of Tibet, past and present.
Recommend to read to get an idea of what Tibet is like and what's going on.
Dalai Lama is a straight forward writer, with not a lot of details, easy to understand and read. Can fully feel his feelings for Tibet and his people through the way he wrote.
Recommend to read to get an idea of what Tibet is like and what's going on.
Dalai Lama is a straight forward writer, with not a lot of details, easy to understand and read. Can fully feel his feelings for Tibet and his people through the way he wrote.
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Dec 16, 2009
Mimi
rated it: 
i read this book while living in oregon. while there i was working for a tour company that designed trips to india, nepal and tibet. i decided that a tour should be created that followed the steps of the 14th dalai lama's exile and journey out of tibet to india because i was so moved by this story. the story of the tibetan people is sad and inspiring. they have been forcefully removed from their spiritual homeland, a land they are very much connected to. now being slowly colonized by the chin
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Aug 18, 2008
Suzanne
rated it:
The Dalai Lama wrote this in English because he said he wanted to be sure of his intended meaning and not leave anything open to misunderstanding due to translation. Consequently the prose often lacks that fluidity of form which makes for relaxing reading. That is probably a good thing because it forces the reader to "slow down" and absorb each sentence.
He is indeed a remarkable man and his life (as of 1990 when he wrote this) is almost incomprehensible to a Western mind. I f More...
He is indeed a remarkable man and his life (as of 1990 when he wrote this) is almost incomprehensible to a Western mind. I f More...
Jul 08, 2011
Rachel
rated it: 
Reading this book in Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, was a unique experience. I’ve heard a lot about this remarkable man from my Tibetan host family as well as from some of his frequent teachings, but this book helped me understand a lot more about his personal journey.
Getting a personal account of his flight from Tibet and the events leading up to it (including his interactions with Mao) were highly interesting. I had not previously unde More...
Getting a personal account of his flight from Tibet and the events leading up to it (including his interactions with Mao) were highly interesting. I had not previously unde More...
Sep 04, 2010
Marsha
rated it:
A comprehensible and meaningful autobiography. Though there was a ghostwriter, the ghostwriter was interviewed in another book, "Understanding the Dalai Lama," and he discusses not only the length of time spent in interviews but also in revisions to the book. There is not a single sentence the Dalai Lama did not have a hand in.
The Dalai Lama's compassionate nature is obvious. He tries to forgive or find the good in everyone, even during the period between the Chinese invas More...
The Dalai Lama's compassionate nature is obvious. He tries to forgive or find the good in everyone, even during the period between the Chinese invas More...
Mar 09, 2010
John
rated it:
The 14th Dalai Lama is disarmingly down to earth. Raised as a incarnate lama and as a monk since 6 years of age, he has a fresh, almost naive, comportment to dramatic events which have shaped his life. You'd think the Dalai Lama grew up in riches and was pampered. He did have servants, attendants and "sweepers". But he complains of the dark and coldness of the Potala Palace, and tells that mice roaming the floors above would pee on him!
He was impressed by Mao when he spent months More...
He was impressed by Mao when he spent months More...
May 30, 2011
Christina
rated it:
At some points I found this book to drag just a little bit, but it was still incredibly interesting. At first I thought that this book would be mostly consumed with messages about freeing Tibet and full of propaganda accordingly, but that definitely wasn't the case. There were a lot of moments that the Dalai Lama talks about Tibet(how can he not, it's inevitable), but he also mentions his fascinating childhood and upbringing as the Dalai Lama. I found it fascinating that he was actually an in
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Aug 12, 2011
Hemant
rated it:
I read it a long time back and cannot recall exactly the events in chronological order.
This book will inform you about the monk culture (perfectly), Chinese attack on Tibet (in a very vague way) and how the Tibetan came to reside in India.
If you want to know what the hell happens in the monk world u may try this, and i assure you my atheist and agnostic friends that you will have a great laugh or may be i am too cynical to believe Dalai lama for certain facts he present More...
This book will inform you about the monk culture (perfectly), Chinese attack on Tibet (in a very vague way) and how the Tibetan came to reside in India.
If you want to know what the hell happens in the monk world u may try this, and i assure you my atheist and agnostic friends that you will have a great laugh or may be i am too cynical to believe Dalai lama for certain facts he present More...
Nov 26, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
Seriously a man of many hats! This spiritual and political leader shows himself to have a great writer's eye! The books is a fantastic blend of his own personal history and recollections and the Tibetan history he's lived through. And his philosophy is also introduced in very clear and easy to understand language. It was very informative and also highly entertaining, including anectdotes of meetings with great personalities, Mahatma Ghandi, Vaclav Havel, Nelson Mandela, plus Popes, Presidents, G
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Jun 04, 2009
Lani
rated it:
I've never been particularly fascinated by the Dalai Lama, Tibet, the Beastie Boys, or Buddhism. However I've heard only wonderful things from people who have met the Dalai Lama, or heard him speak. I'm not a particularly religious person, but I have immense respect for those with faith and gain strength from it.
I had very little understanding of the politics of Tibet, or the life history of the Dalai Lama, so I was pretty ignorant going into this one. Found it to be a pretty life st More...
I had very little understanding of the politics of Tibet, or the life history of the Dalai Lama, so I was pretty ignorant going into this one. Found it to be a pretty life st More...
Aug 07, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Despite learning English as a second language the Dalai Lama has done an amazing job at conveying his ideas to the world. I know the polishing is done by his editors but they can't convey the great wisdom that seems to emanate from his words.
He has lived a remarkable life and has experienced some amazing things since he was identified as an incarnation of Chenrezig. He has an amazing memory for names and faces which helps the story maintain a level of truth And he speaks about his li More...
He has lived a remarkable life and has experienced some amazing things since he was identified as an incarnation of Chenrezig. He has an amazing memory for names and faces which helps the story maintain a level of truth And he speaks about his li More...
Sep 02, 2009
Amy
rated it:
The Dalai Lama does a wonderful job taking us from his childhood up through his exile and the current (mid 90s) situation that Tibet is in. It is truly remarkable that a man that has seen and had to deal with so many horrific things that the People's Liberation Army did to the Tibetan people can be so loving and forgiving. I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the history of the Tibetan people and how Mao's communism, while it seemed like a good idea at the time, ultimately
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Aug 03, 2011
The night my father-in-law very suddenly passed away (almost a month ago now), I just couldn't get into the book I had been reading at the time. It just seemed too shallow that night. So I picked this up instead. It wasn't exactly a "comfort" given the sad recent history of the Tibetan people, but it was a heartwarming look into someone who truly wants to end human suffering.
May 30, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
This open and very human autobiography by the Dalai Lama is very easy to read. Of particular interest to me are the sections describing the settlement of Tibetan refugees in Bylakuppe in the early 1960s. My mother was involved in helping the new refugees to adapt to living on an arid piece of then scrubland, such a huge leap from the clear air and grassy highlands of their mountain homes.
Mar 04, 2010
Ryry
rated it:
I read this book for my Freshman Seminar and I won't lie during my current state it was hard to get through, but I'd like to read it again. It's a great history of the Dalai Lama's "struggle" (only in quotations because I am not sure he would consider it a struggle even though the rest of the world would) through his exile from his home. Free Tibet. (Oh and go there, its amazing).
Jun 15, 2009
Lokesh
rated it:
I am not sure, may be I am not able to understand well but Dalai Lama is a wrong choice for the freedom fight of Tibet, its always bad to mix religion with politics. Its very much true that china did many atrocities at Tibet but its also true that the gap between economic classes was too high at Tibet and it was a corrupt govt who used to hide all deeds in the name of God. So may be Dalai Lama is a god human being, a buddha avataar but not a courageous and far sighted freedom struggle leader.
Nov 09, 2010
Vikash
rated it:
He's a great story teller in person, and that comes through in this book. It's a little older, so much has happened since its publication that I'm sure is reflected in the Dalai Lama's more recent books. He also does a great job of combining the story telling with religious/spiritual themes, but in ways that apply those themes in a much more inter-faith style.
Aug 08, 2011
Tkulvete
rated it:
This book really opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't know happened. I was shocked at the brutality endured by the Tibetan people. The pain and trauma of the Tibetans has left a mark on my conscience. The Dalai Lama's non-violent opposition of the Chinese is admirable and to be an example for us all.
Mar 12, 2010
Mitzi
rated it:
Written in very simple manner, the Dalai Lama tells his story as though he were talking to you in person. His wisdom and understanding of human nature is so wonderful as he always look to see the good while knowing that the bad exists. Highly recommend.
Jul 29, 2011
J
rated it:
Memoirs full of compassion and determination; this is about the Dali Lama's life as ruler and exile. Still managing to keep hatred from his heart in the face of the total destruction of his culture, the Dali Lama is truly someone to emanate.
Aug 09, 2011
An amazing and emotional insight into Tibet and the Dalai Lama... addresses political issues surrounding Tibet and the thought processes and working of the Dalai Lama... a good instrument in self improvement !!!
Jul 13, 2010
believe it or not I'm reading this to help me write a comedy about L. Ron Hubbard... it's a complicated research trail... Interesting life story nonetheless - makes you realise how lucky you are not to have been thrown out of your country, or imprisoned by the Chinese for twenty years.
May 22, 2011
I bought this book in hardcover when it was first published, started it then, but I did not ever finish it. My niece and I were talking about the Dalai Lama recently, and I was recommending to her some of his books on spirituality that I have read...and it occurred to me that I had never finished this book. So I picked it up and started from the beginning.
I never finished this book. I got half-way through & gave it to Goodwill. Not because His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a good au More...
I never finished this book. I got half-way through & gave it to Goodwill. Not because His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a good au More...
Dec 10, 2007
Sonam
rated it:
This book deserves a rating of 5/5.
The book " Freedom in Exile" is an account of the life of his holiness The Dalai Lama. It was published in 1990. It is a very touching book, especially for me as a Buddhist, because it tells us about the suffering and paints that his holiness and the people of Tibet had to go through during the Chinese invasion. At certain stages, it is also very amusing, reading about his holiness’s childhood and about how he spent it playing pranks and More...
The book " Freedom in Exile" is an account of the life of his holiness The Dalai Lama. It was published in 1990. It is a very touching book, especially for me as a Buddhist, because it tells us about the suffering and paints that his holiness and the people of Tibet had to go through during the Chinese invasion. At certain stages, it is also very amusing, reading about his holiness’s childhood and about how he spent it playing pranks and More...
Jan 05, 2009
Alex
rated it:
It's a heart-rending book towards the end, but very interesting to read how a teenager ruled Tibet and went on to come one of the greatest peace activists in history.
Nov 24, 2008
Benjamin
rated it:
Fascinating account of the life of the Dalai Lama. It does an excellent job of showing his naivete regarding world affairs and how he came to have his world view.
Oct 23, 2011
Heather
rated it:
This was a great introduction to the Dalai Lama's early life and his perspective on the history of Tibet. I appreciated that the book was in his sometimes stilted voice although it seemed he was being quite diplomatic with some of his views regarding China and the West. It left me wanting to learn more about the plight of Tibet, and about his personal views.
Nov 23, 2011
PMP
rated it:
I met HH the Dalai Lama on a flight from Dubai to Amman in May 2005. I did not want to disturb him so did not speak to him. But half a year later, when I was at high risk of taking on seriously bad karma, he came to mind so I picked up his life story. I was deeply frustrated by his inaction in the face of atrocities visited on the Tibetans, but finally floored by his "big picture", where he could not blame the Chinese for their aggression of Tibet, because what difference was there
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Dec 09, 2010
Thomas
rated it:
One of the best spiritual memoirs I've ever read! Also important for insight into the China/Tibet political situation and how it developed.
Sep 25, 2011
Nick
rated it:
Very interesting read. As much of a history of Tibet as an autobiography. Highly recommended and is on my "to read again" list.
