Sorrow Mountain [Hardcover]

Ani Pachen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2000

Ani Pachen grew up in Tibet, her father providing all she needed. Overnight all that changed. During the Chinese invasion, Ani's father died, she took over and led her people in resistance. Eventually she was imprisoned and tortured for 21 years. Her spiritual upbringing allowed her to survive, to remain a strong and powerful woman.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell; 1ST edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385410751
• ISBN-13: 978-0385601795
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,350,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Dalai, Lama

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One woman's spiritual strength . . . Eternal hope for Tibet, February 4, 2010

By 

Bill Arena (Emeryville, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sorrow Mountain (Hardcover)

An incredible, real-life story of a young woman born in Tibet in 1933, the only daughter of a powerful Khampa chieftan, in the years prior to China's takeover of their country. When the Chinese invaded their land, and her father died, Ani Pachen took over and led her people in the fight for their homeland, their spiritual beliefs, their culture, and their lives. It's a gut-wrenching story. This very spiritual person, from a good family with all the material possessions of the world, was captured in 1960 and imprisoned for 21 years enduring almost constant torture.

It was her spiritual faith and courage that inspired me the most while reading this book. "When our time comes, each of us dies. There is nothing we can do," she explains.

After a particularly brutal beating at the hands of the Chinese thugs, she reminded herself of the teachings from one of her mentors, Gyalsay Rinpoche: "Regard everything as though it is a dream. Everything is ephemeral, ungovernable, and hollow. Work with the essential nature of your mind, pure and radiant. Keep your mind clear and aware in each moment."

"All activity should be done with one intention. To help, and not harm, others. Be gentle, be kind, be compassionate, be generous to everyone including yourself."

I just now found this book a full ten years after it was published (in 2000). It's an incredible read, an incredible story. When I looked up Ani Pachen on the web, sadly, discovered she passed away in 2002. It is a very short time we have each been given in this lifetime. I lift up my prayers for all the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, and the Chinese government. Ani Pachen demonstrated true love and compassion for all of these and this book motivates me to do the same. . . . Om Mani Peme Hum, Oh Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus, protect all sentient beings.