Customer Reviews

Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of The Dalai Lama

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Right up front, the Dalai Lama claims that English is not his first language and he requests the reader bear with him. At times, the english is a little stilted but it never detracts from the story being told. His honest account of the young days having been found as the 14th Dalai Lama but still being a little boy is wonderful. He leads you through a chronological account of his life and spiritual work.

The book was an education for me on the basics of Buddhism, the struggle of the Tibetans, the role of the Dalai Lama and glimpse of China's past and present. I'm motivated to read more on all these topics - in particalar, Buddhism and the history of China (the notable Gang of four).

If you're looking for information on the Tibetan struggle and the Dalai Lama, this book is it. THe Dalai Lama is always honest and frank about his opinions on events and people. His strength and poise comes across clearly in his writings.

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.

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.

This is by far one of the most moving and amazing books I have had the pleasure to read. The Dalai Lama has a very eloquent way of telling the story of his life. From his simple begininngs throughout the Chinese invasion of Tibet, he tells the story beautifully. His attention to detail and rememberence of people who he has met impressed me greatly. Sometimes words can fail to summarize the effect something has one you...for words lack the ability to describe the depth of compassion and sympathy I felt during and after reading this book.

I scarecely knew who the Dalai Lama was before I picked up this book. But after reading it, I am glad that I had something of a chance to hear what he had to say. He starts off talking of his boyhood, and how he was chosen at the age of 6, to be his country's newest religious leader. The stories of his early life in the monastery are very amusing, but one wonders whether it is really a good idea to take someone so young into a monastery before they have any idea of what they are getting into. Still, Llamo Thondup seems to have done alright. He goes on to tell of how, at the age of 15, the Chinese invaded Thibet and took over his homeland, leaving this young adolescent as the sole leader, spiritual and political, of his entire country in a time of war. Eventually, the problems stemming from the red army's invasion of Thibet were so severe that a large portion of the population were forced to flee for their lives to India, where Jawarhalal Nehru, in an act unlike any other by anyone else in history, allowed over one hundred thousand refugee Thibetans into an already densely populated country and made provisions for the propagation of the Thibetan culture in Sarnath, Dharamsala and other towns in northern India. What strikes me as so odd is that Thondup does not seem to have the slightest measure of hatred for the Chinese people and even manages to understand, or at least try to understand, what caused them to such brutal actions. To do so must require a substantial degree of self-mastery and understanding, and in a way, shows Thondup as not merely a puppet "leader" of his people, but as someone who takes his faith very seriously indeed. His struggles to preserve the culture of his homeland and the care which he has for his people are genuinely touching. He also briefly mentions his meeting with Trappist Thomas Merton, ans tells of some of the things which they discussed in their short meeting before Merton's death in Bangkok in 1968. And also fairly briefly, he goes on to discuss Thibetan Buddhism in general, including the belief in oracles, gods and demons, astrology, reincarnation and so on. One might wish that he would take a stronger stand against the superstition and hyposrisy often found in Thibet's own peculiar type of Buddhism in addition to what he has already done for his people, but he may think that such ideas may be necessary elements in the preserving of Thibetan culture and may be the duty of a future incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Still, as he mentions in his conversation with Carl Sagan, he is not a blind believer in tradition, but has experienced doubts himself and is in favour of abandoning those aspects of the religion which can be shown to be erroneous (a welcome change from the stasis necessary in contemporary Christian or Muslim thought). A very moving and captivating biography of a very interesting man and one of the worst atrocities of our time.

Beginning in a world that was so alien to our present society, the current Dalai Lama commences his autobiography 'Freedom in Exile' with a detailed description of life in pre-occupied Tibet; a society that had managed to remain untouched by the effects of modernization that have moulded our civilization into its present shape. He retails his own experience of living in monastic Tibet, from his `discovery' as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, to his eventual enthronement as the supreme leader of the remote nation.

However, it was with the 1950 occupation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army that forced Tibet into the eye of the international community. The invasion by China and the subsequent demolition of Tibetan society piece by piece, and life by life, is recounted in astonishing detail, as is the inspiring efforts by the Dalai Lama in attempting to challenge the actions of the Communist Party of China, which included several personal meetings with the seemingly amiable Chairman Mao. Engrossingly, he explains the chain of events which eventually led to his exile from his native land, and his life-long commitment to championing the Tibetan cause against Communist oppression.

The Dalai Lama is clearly a formidable writer, and details his life in an immensely holding fashion. More to the point, he is a likeable character, and one feels genuinely sympathetic to his struggle. However, therein lies a small danger. While the occupying Communists have committed untold attrocities to the Tibetan people, there is a risk in idolising pre-occupied Tibet: a religious theocracy which itself had little regards for human rights. If the Chinese hadn't invaded, it is entirely plausible that Tibet would have very different perception by the world. But, that is a minor digression.

While the Dalai Lama is a religious leader, and while there are sections of the book which explain Buddhist thought, `Freedom in Exile' is not a religious work, nor even a book about religion. It is, however, the self-told life of an influential political figure who defends his homeland and its people with an all-too rare intensity.

Without doubt one of the best books I have ever read and yet it is so much more than a book. His Holiness The Dalai Lama gives us an engaging insight into the Tibetian tragedy that continues to this day. Written in an open, friendly manner by one of the most inspired people of our time, this book allows us to view the harsh reality of Chinese communism through the eyes of a true Tibetan monk. A book for all people, of all ages, from East to West.

This autobiography of one of the leading persons of Buddhism did not touch me because of deep thoughts on Buddhism - I have to read another book for that - but because this great man described in detail how difficult it was for him to live the life of a 'Holiness' when he was a normal little child e.g. struggling with his brother on the journey to Lhasa, being taken away from his beloved family, feeling lonely, sleeping in a cold palace covered with dust. He never got conceited, but felt the burden heavily of being a religious leader, serving his people in good and bad times. Besides being a Buddhist this man is a wonderful, intelligent, brave human being and I love the modesty and honesty of his autobiography.

This is perhaps the best book I have ever read. Not only is it extremely well-written, but it gives the reader abundant information of the life and times of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This book touches your heart. It describes the life of the Dalai Lama, told by himself, and the result is a fantastic book that tells you about the tragedy of the Tibetan people, its amazing culture, as well as reveals the wonderful soul and generosity of one of the most important leaders of our time.

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.