Freedom in Exile

The Dalai Lama's autobiography should leave no one in doubt of his humility and genuine compassion. Written without the slightest hint of pretence, the exiled leader of Tibet recounts his life, from the time he was whisked away from his home in 1939 at the age of four, to his escape from Tibet in 1959, to the winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The backdrop of the story is the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet. We learn in calm detail of imprisonment, torture, rape, famine, ecological disaster and genocide that in under four decades of Chinese rule have left a million-and-a-quarter Tibetans dead and the Tibetan natural and religious landscapes decimated. Yet the Dalai Lama's story is strangely one of hope. This man who prays for four hours a day harbours no ill will toward the Chinese and sees the potential for good everywhere he casts his gaze. Someday, he hopes, all of Tibet will be a zone of peace and the world's largest nature preserve. Such optimism is not naive, but a result of his daily studies in Buddhist philosophy and his doctrine of Universal Responsibility. Inspiring in every way, Freedom in Exile is both a historical document and a fable of deepest trust in humanity. --Brian Bruya

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View books by Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-'dzin-rgya-mtsho.

Devastating, inspiring and heartbreaking - a book everyone should read - Rated
I have always felt a pull toward Tibetan Buddhism and have already read several books by the Dalai Lama. I don't know why I put off reading this one for so long (like another reviewer, it sat on my shelf for nearly a year before I read it). I'm glad I did. I was effortlessly drawn into a world so different to our cynical consumer-driven culture. the Dalai Lama is an engaging and talented writer, in spite of his protestations that his English is lacking.

His story is incredible and even more so is the depth of compassion and wisdom he displays - he is truly an inspirational soul, and a leader such as the world needs many more of. But this book isn't really about the Dalai Lama - it's about the horrific situation in Tibet. I had NO idea as to the extent of that nation's suffering. I cried as I read descriptions of how Tibetans have been tortured and slaughtered in the most horrific ways imaginable...truly, at times it makes you despair at the unspeakable cruelty of which human beings are capable of perpetrating against their fellow man. And yet juxtaposed with this is an immense ray of hope, in the form of the author himself and the extraordinary courage of his people. I am now committed to doing whatever I can to support and promote the Tibetan cause.

Read this book. It may just change your life.

Freedom In Exile The Auto-Biography of the Dalai Lama - Rated
Interesting, Amazing, Uplifting are just a few words I would use to describe this book. I couldn't put it down as it was just so very easy to read and that's coming from a bigginer at reading books over 200 pages long. If your interested in the life of the Dalai Lama its a must read.

Truly motivating - Rated
What an amazing life! The quiet dignity of this man and his passion for his people truly moved me throughout this book. At a time filled with so many other crusades to "liberate" nations from opression, how can Tibet be forgotten?
This is a MUST read for everyone and anyone. You will not be disappointed on any level. It is particularly comforting to know that His Holiness was just as capable of childish mischief as any other child!!!

Truely inspirational & life-changing book - Rated
I have had this book on my bookshelf for at least a year but only now have I plucked up the courage to read it. I was always terrified to understand the atrocities that I had a vague awareness that the Dalai Lama had faced for his people and country. After seeing Kundun about a year ago, it was only then, that I had a realisation about the suffering the Tibetan people had undergone.

The book was told in an extremely compassionate and caring way that only a spiritual person could visualise the world. As “James from England” has written, I could almost hear the voice of the writer in my head as if he was describing his life. Knowing this was an autobiography brought tears to my eyes.

I felt mortified to think that the situation in Tibet has worsened and still there appears to be little done to rectify it. Due to the fact that China invaded Tibet 50 years ago, I felt it really penetrated my soul to think that the Tibetans are still undergoing such inhumane treatment by the Chinese Government as if they are lesser human beings than the rest of the country. I found it shocking to read the stories of the torture and humiliation of the Tibetan monks and nuns. Now I feel that I must do something to help the cause and I feel the best way is, is to encourage everyone who reads this review to pick up the book and know the truth of the immense suffering of this peace-loving country that China is destroying. Not only does it reveal the truth but also it is a fascinating story about an extraordinary man’s escape from his home to another land and start again.

Put this on your "books I must read" list - Rated
A very humble book which gives you the real story of the life of the Dalai Lama, including the events which led to his departure from his beloved Tibet and the daring tale of his escape.
There now appear to be hundreds of books about the Dalai Lama. Many of them pocket-sized books of quotes or "how to" books on Buddhism or living a better lifestyle. Before you read any of these, many of which seem to have little to do with the Dalai Lama, read this one. It is a joy to read and when you have finished it you will know more about this wonderful person, Tibet and yourself.