Kundun: A Biography of the Family of the Dalai Lama

by Mary A. Craig

Here is the story of Tibet as told by its remarkable first family--a story of reincarnation, coronation, heartbreaking exile, and finally the tenacious efforts of a holy man to save a nation and its people.

Kundun is the first work to focus on the Dalai Lama's family--his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. Particularly compelling are Mary Craigs portraits of the Dalai Lamas siblings, who have negotiated with China on behalf of their country, enlisted the aid of international allies to spearhead Tibetan Resistance, and worked tirelessly to help thousands of sick and starving refugee children. This remarkable book opens in 1933 with the death of the thirteenth Dalai Lama and the frantic effort among Tibetan authorities to find his reincarnation. In their search for a baby boy displaying the characteristic marks of a Dalai Lama--tiger striped legs, wide eyes, large ears, and palms bearing the pattern of a sea shell--officials were led to a tiny village in northeastern Tibet, home of Lhamo Dhondup, a smart, stubborn toddler already known for his tantrums. Responding calmly when a group of high lamas and dignitaries tested his memory of a previous life, the child easily recognized a rosary, walking stick, and drum belonging to the thirteenth Dalai Lama.

In an instant this little boy and his entire family were swept into a world of unending ritual and complex internal politics. Lhamo was installed as the fourteenth Dalai Lama at the age of three, and was known from that point on as His Holiness or Kundun (the Presence), titles even his family members were obliged to use. A few years later the young Dalai Lama and his family were faced with China's invasion of Tibet. Living in exile since the late 1950s, they have waged a decades-long struggle for the freedom of their country. Particularly compelling are Craig's portraits of the Dalai Lama's siblings, who have negotiated with China on behalf of their country, enlisted the aid of international allies to spearhead Tibetan Resistance, and worked tirelessly to help thousands of sick and starving refugee children.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, Buddhism, Historical

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed history of the family of the current Dalai Lama.

Overly detailed, if that is possible. Sometimes the narrative thread was lost in the wealth of information.

I’ve greatly enjoyed the movie with the same title.

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed history of the family of the current Dalai Lama. Overly detailed, if that is possible. Sometimes the narrative thread was lost in the wealth of information.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening account of the atrocities bestowed on the Tibetan people for their faith.

[Ishki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much. Watched the movie after reading the book.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and riveting story of the current Dalai Lama and his family. I absolutely loved this book.

[Carina]

Ok, to be honest I haven't been reading this for months. I don't know what happened to my copy. Bad Carina :/

[Ron]

Brilliant book and great movie

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound contribution to world history.

[Adam Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched, very informative and well presented giving a great view of the Tibetan culture, feudal system and religous and secular aspects of government pre-Chinese invasion in the 1950's

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography of the family of the current Dalai Lama. I found it very interesting.

[Devyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Craig has wrote a engaging, authentic, and well researched account of the Dalai Lama and his family. I really enjoyed discovering the real story of what happened to Tibet.