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Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic
Written with the full cooperation of the Dalai Lama, this fascinating, up-to-date biography at once captures the public persona and enduring mystery behind one of the world's most important spiritual leaders. In 1997, the Indian journalist Mayank Chhaya was authorized by the Dalai Lama to write about his life and times. The only authorized biographer who is not a Buddhist, Chhaya conducted more than a dozen personal interviews with the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj in India's Himalayan north, home to Tibet's government-in-exile. In Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic he presents an in-depth, insightful portrait of a figure of perennial interest to people all over the world. Chhaya writes about Tibet and the Buddhist tradition from which the Dalai Lama emerged, helping readers understand the context that shaped his beliefs, politics, and ideals. Adding depth and nuance to his portrait, Chhaya depicts the Dalai Lama in the light of his life in exile and the various roles he has had to assume for his followers. He sheds light on the highly complex conflict between China and Tibet, and offers insights into the growing discontent among young Tibetans who are frustrated with the nonviolent approach to Chinese occupation that the Dalai Lama advocates. A balanced, informative view of the Dalai Lama and his work, this biography is both a compelling profile of a remarkable spiritual leader and his mission, and an engaging look at how the current unrest in his country will affect its future.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 3, 2019
An External View Of The Dalai Lama
As the spiritual leader of the once-obscure religion of Tibetan Buddhism, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has become revered by people in all parts of the world for his sincerity, openness, common-sense, teaching of non-violence, and spirituality. In "Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic" (2007) the Indian journalist Mayank Chhaya has written an informative if somewhat limited biography of this charismatic spiritual leader. At times, the focus of the book seems to be more on the political conflict between China and Tibet rather than upon the life of the Dalai Lama himself. In his concluding chapter, Chhaya points out that for all the media attention he receives and the people he attacts, the Dalai Lama is difficult to know intimately. But with its focus on externals, this book still constitutes a good introduction to the Dalai Lama.
Chayya does a good job of placing his biography in a proper context by giving an overview of Tibet's geography and history, and its interactions over the centuries with Buddhism, China, and India. Many Westerners have become fascinated with the religion of Tibetan Buddhism. Chayya describes himself as an agnostic. He points out how the spiritual teachings of Buddhism in Tibet became joined with the much earlier religious traditions in Tibet which featured animal sacrifice, nature worship, and shamanism. He also points out, and perhaps exaggerates, the difficulties which many Westerners, with their skepticism and science, have with the Buddhist teaching of rebirth. The author's treatment of Buddhist teachings shows well the dispassion and objectivity which characterize his biography.
Chayya also discusses well, the current Dalai Lama's predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, who began the process of modernizing Tibet. He shows who the current Dalai Lama was discovered in a remote Tibetan village at the age of 3 brought to Lhasa, and assumed the spiritual and temporal responsibility of the Dalai Lama as an adolescent. China invaded Tibet in 1950 and in 1959 the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India. He has not been back to Tibet since that time but has instead tried to work for a nonviolent resolution of the dispute with China and to preserve the essentials of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture. The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Prize in 1989.
Most of the book is given over to a summary of the China-Tibet conflict and of the Dalai Lama's role in trying to secure a peaceful solution. Chayya offers a balanced, circumspect view of this conflict, which does not permit of a clear-cut solution. The Dalai Lama does not advocate an independent Tibet; rather he seeks spiritual and local autonomy for Tibet under the general government supervision of China. His position is too timid for some, too radical for others. For all the sympathy the Dalai Lama's cause has engendered, it has secured only a small place at best on the international political agenda.
With all the attention the book gives to the Tibet-China controversy, Chayya is too short in his consideration of the spiritual, internal dimension of the Dalai Lama and his teaching. He does point out some of the internal spiritual divisions within Tibetan Buddhism, as it involves the worship of spirits, and he points to the great appeal of the Dalai Lama's teaching to those of other faiths -- as well as to those who profess no faith at all. He offers a portrayal of the Dalai Lama -- with his sense of humor, kindness, and interest in the sciences, that is consistent with much other readily accessible public information about him. Yet I finished this book glad that I had read it but feeling that I wanted to know more about the Dalai Lama, his teachings, and the factors that contributed to making him what he is.
Chayya has written a worthwhile book about an inspiring spiritual leader. But I think that many of the Dalai Lama's own published books (I would have liked Chayya to have told more about them) offer better insight into what the Dalai Lama is about.
Robin Friedman
As the spiritual leader of the once-obscure religion of Tibetan Buddhism, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has become revered by people in all parts of the world for his sincerity, openness, common-sense, teaching of non-violence, and spirituality. In "Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic" (2007) the Indian journalist Mayank Chhaya has written an informative if somewhat limited biography of this charismatic spiritual leader. At times, the focus of the book seems to be more on the political conflict between China and Tibet rather than upon the life of the Dalai Lama himself. In his concluding chapter, Chhaya points out that for all the media attention he receives and the people he attacts, the Dalai Lama is difficult to know intimately. But with its focus on externals, this book still constitutes a good introduction to the Dalai Lama.
Chayya does a good job of placing his biography in a proper context by giving an overview of Tibet's geography and history, and its interactions over the centuries with Buddhism, China, and India. Many Westerners have become fascinated with the religion of Tibetan Buddhism. Chayya describes himself as an agnostic. He points out how the spiritual teachings of Buddhism in Tibet became joined with the much earlier religious traditions in Tibet which featured animal sacrifice, nature worship, and shamanism. He also points out, and perhaps exaggerates, the difficulties which many Westerners, with their skepticism and science, have with the Buddhist teaching of rebirth. The author's treatment of Buddhist teachings shows well the dispassion and objectivity which characterize his biography.
Chayya also discusses well, the current Dalai Lama's predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, who began the process of modernizing Tibet. He shows who the current Dalai Lama was discovered in a remote Tibetan village at the age of 3 brought to Lhasa, and assumed the spiritual and temporal responsibility of the Dalai Lama as an adolescent. China invaded Tibet in 1950 and in 1959 the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India. He has not been back to Tibet since that time but has instead tried to work for a nonviolent resolution of the dispute with China and to preserve the essentials of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture. The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Prize in 1989.
Most of the book is given over to a summary of the China-Tibet conflict and of the Dalai Lama's role in trying to secure a peaceful solution. Chayya offers a balanced, circumspect view of this conflict, which does not permit of a clear-cut solution. The Dalai Lama does not advocate an independent Tibet; rather he seeks spiritual and local autonomy for Tibet under the general government supervision of China. His position is too timid for some, too radical for others. For all the sympathy the Dalai Lama's cause has engendered, it has secured only a small place at best on the international political agenda.
With all the attention the book gives to the Tibet-China controversy, Chayya is too short in his consideration of the spiritual, internal dimension of the Dalai Lama and his teaching. He does point out some of the internal spiritual divisions within Tibetan Buddhism, as it involves the worship of spirits, and he points to the great appeal of the Dalai Lama's teaching to those of other faiths -- as well as to those who profess no faith at all. He offers a portrayal of the Dalai Lama -- with his sense of humor, kindness, and interest in the sciences, that is consistent with much other readily accessible public information about him. Yet I finished this book glad that I had read it but feeling that I wanted to know more about the Dalai Lama, his teachings, and the factors that contributed to making him what he is.
Chayya has written a worthwhile book about an inspiring spiritual leader. But I think that many of the Dalai Lama's own published books (I would have liked Chayya to have told more about them) offer better insight into what the Dalai Lama is about.
Robin Friedman
December 27, 2018
I was torn between 2 and 3 stars on this one. I was expecting an in-depth biography of the 14th Dalai Lama, with a bit of bonus learning about Buddhism and about the Tibet/China situation and its history. What I got was a long (albeit repetitious and not necessarily in-depth) discussion of the Tibet/China situation and its history with a bit of bonus information about the Dalai Lama -- it felt like less than half of the book. One of my favorite features of the book was the inclusion of the Dalai Lama's recollections of his childhood; he does have some memories surrounding his selection as Dalai Lama and his early life in Lhasa. But I would have liked to learn a lot more about his life in Lhasa, his education, his relationship with his family after the move to Lhasa, his development into maturity amidst constant deference and adulation from all those around him, and his escape to India.
Despite a heavy focus on China's seizure of Tibet and its aftermath, there is little description of the actual human rights violations that have taken place, little detail of everyday life for Tibetans (despite the continued arrival of refugees in India), and no mention of the Panchen Lama except in passing and in the most general of terms. I appreciate all the work the author put into the book, but I think it could have been a bit more focused and streamlined.
Oh, and one more thing: The trichotomy of man/monk/mystic was fairly contrived. The three are not that distinct, despite the author's efforts to make them seem so.
Despite a heavy focus on China's seizure of Tibet and its aftermath, there is little description of the actual human rights violations that have taken place, little detail of everyday life for Tibetans (despite the continued arrival of refugees in India), and no mention of the Panchen Lama except in passing and in the most general of terms. I appreciate all the work the author put into the book, but I think it could have been a bit more focused and streamlined.
Oh, and one more thing: The trichotomy of man/monk/mystic was fairly contrived. The three are not that distinct, despite the author's efforts to make them seem so.
September 20, 2008
This book is about the 14th Dalai Lama. Buddists believe that each Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of Buddha. Due to China's forceful invasion of Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has lived in India ever since. He has been a wonderful spokesperson for the Tibetan people, and he has always stressed nonviolent political methods. It seems unlikely that Tibet will ever regain its independence from China. The 6 million Tibetans are currently outnumbered by the 7 million Hans Chinese who have moved to Tibet. Yet, the Tibetans have a vibrant culture that they are striving very hard to maintain. This book does a great job in describing how a people strives to maintain their way of life, even after a powerful nation stole their land. A similar kind of story has happened numerous times throughout history. For some reason, Tibet's story just is not that popular in the West. I never really understood it, until I read this book. This book gave me a much greater understanding of the Dalai Lama, Tibet, and Buddhism.
July 8, 2009
This book was incredibly disappointing. It had relatively little to do with the Dalai Lama. The first 194 pages the reader suffers through is entirely on the political history of China and Tibet. In fact, his departure from Tibet covered less than a full page. This is followed by a few pages on His Holiness with a subsequent chapter where his not mentioned until the very last sentence. The final chapters of the book are of the same political topics as the first 194 pages.
I somehow finished it, still waiting to read about the "Man, Monk, Mystic" but unfortunately it wasn't to be found anywhere in this book.
Dreadful.
I somehow finished it, still waiting to read about the "Man, Monk, Mystic" but unfortunately it wasn't to be found anywhere in this book.
Dreadful.
April 7, 2019
This book is misleadingly sold as a biography of the current Dalai Lama, which is decidedly is not. It is more aptly an overview of the historical relation of Buddhism to Tibet, which does naturally include the current Dalai Lama. Had it been sold honestly titled, it'd have been a decent work for those interested in the subject matter. As it is though, Ch. 23 has the most focus on the current Buddhist leader, although there are interesting things involving him spread out amongst the text. That said, the majority of the book is somewhat dull, but if one knows what they are getting into ahead of time, there are things of interest to be found. Many times I found myself skipping paragraphs, pages, or oftentimes even the majority of some of the smaller chapters. For example, I honestly couldn't care less to read the text excerpts of proposals the Chinese government & the Tibetan leaders were going back & forth about. Whole pages of that kind of thing is tedious, & I skipped straight past it every time. Additionally, the beginning of the book is just dull. It takes several chapters to even begin to get to anything related to the biographical info. about the current Dalai Lama, but even that proves to be somewhat fleeting before turning back to more Tibet/Buddhist/China/India stuff again. All that would be fine, of course, if that were the book I'd decided to read, but as the title & jacket text were so deceptively presented, my experience with the text was that of something with which I had not knowingly intended to engage. In conclusion, I felt duped by the idea this book was sold on. Had it been presented to the world as what it is actually is, it'd be a fair piece of work for those interested in the subject matter. However, if one is seeking merely a biography of the 14th Dalai Lama, this book doesn't fit the bill.
August 1, 2024
The book delves into the life of Dalai and the movement he leads for the autonomy of Tibet from China. Dalai Lama was forced to migrate Dharamsala in India as a young man during the Nehruvian era from where he leads the spiritual and political movement over last several decades. During the course of this time, his stature has grown internationally and he had build a wide appeal especially in the West. Meanwhile China ia playing the long game and is waiting for the movement to die down with Dalai Lama well past his prime. The book explores the tensions involved between China and Dalai Lama, the strategies adopted by them and the various options in front of them. While being informative, it also felt repetitive towards the end and stretched a bit too long. Worth a read to understand the Tibetan movement, the evolution of Buddhism and it's geopolitical influence through Dalai Lama's life journey.
March 21, 2017
I grew up in China. Upon reading this book, I always thought Tibet is part of China thru all history, Dalai Lama is the one trying to separate Tibet from China. Thru our education from China, Dalai is always the bad guy trying to break the peace between China and Tibet. But after reading this book, I actually learned about the background information regarding the ongoing conflict between China and Tibet, and Dalai is a true charismatic spiritual leader.
This Author offers a portrayal of the Dalai Lama as kindness, doesn't force other faiths to believe Tibetan Buddhism, has sense of humor, is interest in the sciences, is trying to bring peach by non-violence method.
After reading this book, I wanted to know more about Dalai's teachings and his philosophy. This book it's a good book to learn about China-Tibet controversy.
This Author offers a portrayal of the Dalai Lama as kindness, doesn't force other faiths to believe Tibetan Buddhism, has sense of humor, is interest in the sciences, is trying to bring peach by non-violence method.
After reading this book, I wanted to know more about Dalai's teachings and his philosophy. This book it's a good book to learn about China-Tibet controversy.
August 9, 2019
Beautiful read even if not having the most in depth information. Fascinating in ways that it makes you want to read more about His Holiness.
Getting to know about people and their struggle is always an eye-opening & enlightening exercise in many ways, especially when the path taken is non-violent.
Certainly a book recommended for people interested in this genre. Personally a satisfying experience too, reading another biography after a while.
Getting to know about people and their struggle is always an eye-opening & enlightening exercise in many ways, especially when the path taken is non-violent.
Certainly a book recommended for people interested in this genre. Personally a satisfying experience too, reading another biography after a while.
March 27, 2015
Pasaules dižākā un tajā pašā laikā arī vienkāršākā, pieticīgākā un piezemētākā cilvēka autorizēta biogrāfija. Dalailamas 14.reinkarnācija - Tenzins Gjatso fascinē ar savu vienkāršību un humora izjūtu.
Biogrāfijas autors ir indiešu žurnālists, kuram dota iespēja ielūkoties Dalailamas ikdienā un aprakstīt to. Grāmata ir ne tikai par Dalailamu, bet ļoti daudz arī par Tibetu un tās cīņu par neatkarību no komunistiskās Ķīnas. Tā vien šķiet - par bezcerīgo cīņu. Dalailama jau vairāk kā 50 gadu dzīvo trimdā Indijā un uztur sarunas ar varaskāro Ķīnas valdību, viņš grib panākt vismaz Tibetas autonomiju, ne vairs neatkarību nevardarbīgā ceļā.
Šo lasot jautājumu ir vairāk kā atbilžu - kāpēc kādai valstij vajadzīga kāda konkrēta teritorija? Kāpēc nevar likties mierā? Kāpēc? Kāpēc...?
Jo vairāk informācijas par Dalailamu, jo vairāk gribas vēl kaut ko no viņa uzzināt.
Par latviešu izdevuma grāmatas vāku man būtu ko teikt. Bet, kā saka - don't judge book by it's cover.
Biogrāfijas autors ir indiešu žurnālists, kuram dota iespēja ielūkoties Dalailamas ikdienā un aprakstīt to. Grāmata ir ne tikai par Dalailamu, bet ļoti daudz arī par Tibetu un tās cīņu par neatkarību no komunistiskās Ķīnas. Tā vien šķiet - par bezcerīgo cīņu. Dalailama jau vairāk kā 50 gadu dzīvo trimdā Indijā un uztur sarunas ar varaskāro Ķīnas valdību, viņš grib panākt vismaz Tibetas autonomiju, ne vairs neatkarību nevardarbīgā ceļā.
Šo lasot jautājumu ir vairāk kā atbilžu - kāpēc kādai valstij vajadzīga kāda konkrēta teritorija? Kāpēc nevar likties mierā? Kāpēc? Kāpēc...?
Jo vairāk informācijas par Dalailamu, jo vairāk gribas vēl kaut ko no viņa uzzināt.
Par latviešu izdevuma grāmatas vāku man būtu ko teikt. Bet, kā saka - don't judge book by it's cover.
November 25, 2008
Because I had roommates from Taiwan at BYU, I had a more personal connection to Taiwan's struggle against China. I really didn't have a clue about Tibet and their fight to reclaim their land from China. Jon has been bringing up the Dalai Lama for years and I always thought he (the Dalai Lama not Jon) was some kind of wacko religious person. This book gave me a better understanding of the land of Tibet and its culture. I found it a little slow, and a bit wordy-rehashing ground already covered. Still,it has given me a much better understanding of the politics involved between China, Tibet, India, and the U.S. Now when I see the Tibetan monks on the news (as I do from time to time), I will have a little more sympathy for their cause.
September 28, 2017
A very late addition to the shelf. But this book was probably one of my significant read. Though I haven't read "Freedom in Exile". But if any one wants to have a look at the difficult yet enlightening life of a Dalai Lama, this book should be in your reading list. Plus there's a added bonus of political dilemma he has faced.
A must read
A must read
November 16, 2018
Há algo confuso em como o livro está organizado que pode ter sido causado pela tradução para o português. O livro é uma elucidação do conflito entre o Tibete e a China. Traz a público os esforços promovidos pelo Dalai Lama para uma resolução pacífica e como em meio a isso ele acabou se tornando uma pessoa relevante para muitos no Ocidente.
October 4, 2019
The author brings together excerpts from a range of interviews and conversations to give this biography quite a broad scope. Themes discussed include religion, Tibet's occupation and the future of the institute of the Dalai Lama. Will there be a 15th?
March 26, 2021
Энэ ном Далай ламын тухай гэхээс илүүтэй өнөөгийн Төвд, түүний улс төрийн одоогийн байдал, өдийг хүрч ирсэн түүх, олон улсын эрт, эдүгээгийн байдал болоод Далай ламтай холбогдох уялдааг тайлбарлан бичжээ.
Улс төр болон шашны түүх сонирхож байгаа хүн уншвал дажгүй ном санагдлаа.
Улс төр болон шашны түүх сонирхож байгаа хүн уншвал дажгүй ном санагдлаа.
March 7, 2020
I expected more about DalaiLama and less about Tibet political situation.
October 9, 2020
Izlasot šo grāmatu, cilvēkiem radīsies nedaudz lielāks priekštats par dalailamas misiju un arī nedaudz vairāk par Tibetas vēsturi.
April 16, 2014
You get many insights into the life of the revered His Holiness Dalai Lama.
How, from being a small kid, Tenzing Gyatso, to becoming the world famous 14th Dalai Lama, his journey has been beautifully captured and penned by Mayank Chhaya. I must say he has done extensive research, spanning over 7 long years, to come with this detailed book. A must read for People who follow the Dalai Lama or who feel for Tibetan people in exile/ refugees... Being uprooted from your place, your people, when you have to run for life, you leave a part of yourself behind and no matter wherever you reach, you always has a sense of incompleteness within. Feel for once what His Holiness has been feeling for the past 40 years and more.
How, from being a small kid, Tenzing Gyatso, to becoming the world famous 14th Dalai Lama, his journey has been beautifully captured and penned by Mayank Chhaya. I must say he has done extensive research, spanning over 7 long years, to come with this detailed book. A must read for People who follow the Dalai Lama or who feel for Tibetan people in exile/ refugees... Being uprooted from your place, your people, when you have to run for life, you leave a part of yourself behind and no matter wherever you reach, you always has a sense of incompleteness within. Feel for once what His Holiness has been feeling for the past 40 years and more.
March 21, 2008
This book not only was about the Dalai Lama but also about the politics of Tibet and China and it gave an unbiased view of some different possibilities of outcomes of the situation. I think the Dalai Lama's life and personality is quite interesting and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about him and the politics of the area. It also gives a nice historical background about Dalai Lamas and about the future of that position. If you are looking for a book about spirituality and Buddhism, this isn't the book for you.
February 8, 2013
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is considered the 14th incarnation of Buddha. Since the 1959 Chinese invasion and annexation of Tibet, he has lived in exile in India. Historically, the Dalai Lama has been viewed as both the civic and religious leader of the Tibetans.
Mayank Chhaya, not a Buddhist himself, has written an enaging history of Sino-Tibetan relations, modern Buddhism, and an exiled monk who has attempted to preserve Tibetan cultural identity from afar. This is the authorized biograhy.
Mayank Chhaya, not a Buddhist himself, has written an enaging history of Sino-Tibetan relations, modern Buddhism, and an exiled monk who has attempted to preserve Tibetan cultural identity from afar. This is the authorized biograhy.
October 30, 2013
A good summary of the history of Tibetan Buddhism and how it came about in its present form and a third-party's (ie a non-believer in Buddhism) view on HH The 14th Dalai Lama.
Gives a good glimpse of the the Dalai Lama's personality, role and importance to the Tibetan cause. But quite a few times the analyses feels shallow and lacking an opinion or insight.
It's an easy and fun read and doesn't drag at all since it frequently switches from one topic to another. Sort of a fun-to-read Dalai-Lama-101 for me. :P
Gives a good glimpse of the the Dalai Lama's personality, role and importance to the Tibetan cause. But quite a few times the analyses feels shallow and lacking an opinion or insight.
It's an easy and fun read and doesn't drag at all since it frequently switches from one topic to another. Sort of a fun-to-read Dalai-Lama-101 for me. :P
September 21, 2013
A good picture of an excellent man. This book barely scratches the surface and leaves you wanting to know more about the person. Alas, it does not fulfill this need, focusing instead on the historical and political aspects of the Dalai Lama's situation than any character picture. This is partially due to the man's status and general inaccessibility, but I still think a more complete picture is possible. Couple that with some stylistic challanges and noticeable grammar/spelling errors, and this book only gets 3 stars from me.
April 15, 2014
To be very honest, i am a bit disappointed by the book. The reason i picked up this book was that i was quite curious to know about the Dalai Lama mostly as a person. But this 'biography' offers more about the tibet and the world politics surrounding it, the roles played by India, USA and not to forget China rather than the Dalai Lama himself. I think the only chapters which essentially describe a little about Dalai Lama as a man (monk and mystic) are chapter numbers 18 and 30, with 30 being probably the best chapter of the book (in my opinion).
January 24, 2020
I went to hear the Dalai Lama speak in May and wanted to freshen up on his history.
An interesting description of Tibetan spirituality and politics.
He was found to be the 14th reincarnated Dalai Lama when he was 3 years old. The process included being shown two rosaries; he correctly chose the one that had previously belonged to him. He also remembered where his dentures were.
(I made it to page 90. Perhaps I will continue the adventure again, but I am done for now.)
An interesting description of Tibetan spirituality and politics.
He was found to be the 14th reincarnated Dalai Lama when he was 3 years old. The process included being shown two rosaries; he correctly chose the one that had previously belonged to him. He also remembered where his dentures were.
(I made it to page 90. Perhaps I will continue the adventure again, but I am done for now.)
August 9, 2007
This book is very interesting. It gives a good overview of the history of China and Tibet, as well as the life of the current Dalai Lama. My main complaint is that the central theme of "Man, Monk, Mystic" gets hammered into the ground several times to many. Overall a good read, with lots of information.
October 6, 2013
aunque interesante la información y la historia, la narrativa del libro llega a ser un poco confusa y tediosa. Cambia repentinamente de un orador a otro y no sabes quien esta hablando o de un suceso a otro haciendo complicado llevar la lectura y convirtiendolo en un libro sumamente pesado y algo fastidioso de leer.
March 17, 2008
Certainly not the insider's view that I was hoping for. However, it offers lots of background information about China's invasion and take over of Tibet. Will there be another Dalia Lama?
Did not contain the inside information on reincarnation that I was seeking. Darn it.
Did not contain the inside information on reincarnation that I was seeking. Darn it.
August 21, 2014
The author makes a statement that Dalai Lama personifies Tibet: Dalai Lama = Tibet.
And then spends 80% of the book on the context of Dalai Lamas life.
This is less of a biography, but more religious and political history of Tibet.
And then spends 80% of the book on the context of Dalai Lamas life.
This is less of a biography, but more religious and political history of Tibet.
December 12, 2015
Listened to this as an Audible audio book. Really interesting and enjoyable about one of the most influential people on the planet. A humble man who has been peacefully fighting for his countries freedom from China.
Fascinating. Great narration as well.
Fascinating. Great narration as well.
August 7, 2016
An informative read on the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, especially in regards to his long exile and struggle for a peaceful resolution to the Sino-Tibetan problem. Again, I am in awe of this extraordinary monk and gifted human being.
June 13, 2008
A bit slow, but an interesting read on the history of the Dalai Lama, Buddishm, Tibet, China, and India.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews