Faculty Book Review--May 2004
Dalai Lama's
My Land and My People
By Tommy Mulvoy
While traveling in southern Utah during the summer of 2002, I saw one of the “Free Tibet” bumper stickers on a rickety Toyota pickup truck. Upon seeing the sticker, two thoughts came to my mind. The first was, “Yeah, free Tibet!” The second was, “from what?” After reading My Land and My People, the Original Autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, I can now answer the second question.
The Dalai Lama’s autobiography is both interesting and informative. He first provides readers with a detailed account of the search for the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. Using both Animism and Buddhism as guiding forces, a group of high lamas and dignitaries appointed by the National Assembly were led to the farming village of Takster in Northeastern Tibet. In a small house with a turquoise roof the group of lamas and dignitaries found the reincarnated lama. The young reincarnate (Dalai Lama at age two) was then taken from
What follows is a personal and in depth account of the Dalai Lama’s “quest for enlightenment.” If I were to undertake this quest it would leave me gasping for air. At the age of six, the young reincarnate commenced his education. The purpose of a Tibetan education is to “broaden and cultivate the mind by a wide variety of knowledge.” The term “wide variety” is not used lightly here. Courses in astrology, poetry, drama, dance and composition were taught as a foundation for his studies in higher education. It was in the higher education where he was taught in the art of healing, Sanskrit, dialects, metaphysics, arts and crafts and, most importantly, the philosophy of religion. The Dalai Lama articulates on Buddhism with outstanding clarity. “If there is no peace in one’s mind, there can be no peace in one’s approach to others, and thus no peaceful relations between individuals and nations.” From this simple statement the essence of Buddhism becomes apparent. Buddhists seek peace in all aspects of their life. It is this search and desire for peace that eventually drove the Dalai Lama into exile.
The Dalai Lama’s recap of Tibetan relations with both the Chinese and the British is confusing at first, yet the general history goes as follows: From the early 700’s to the 1950’s, Tibet was involved in numerous confrontations with both China and England. In 1912, the Tibetans, with the help of a faltering Manchu Dynasty, drove the Chinese out of Tibet. British authorities then tried to iron out a peace agreement between Tibetan and Chinese leaders. The agreement gave the Chinese suzerainty over Tibet while providing for some Tibetan autonomy. Yet, the Chinese government would not sign the agreement and as a result Tibet enjoyed a de facto independence until 1948. Tibetans came to realize, however, that a signed document acknowledging independence and not a de facto independence was needed for their long-term survival.
In the chapter titled "Invasion," the Dalai Lama writes about the twelve year occupation and oppression by Chinese forces post Chinese Revolution that eventually led to his escape to India. It was in this chapter that I ultimately found the answer to my second bumper stick-inspired thought, “from what?”--from what did Tibet need to be freed from? During this twelve year period, starting in 1948, the Tibetan people were forced to give up their land, livelihood and as the Dalai Lama states, “our most precious possession” religion. Villages, monasteries and the Tibetan way of life all were demolished. It was cultural genocide at its worst. As the situation in Lhasa grew increasingly unstable, Tibetan government officials begged the Dalai Lama to leave the city. The young leader did not want to leave but after much thought and prayer he obliged. Only a few hours after his stealthy departure, the city of Lhasa and his residence at Norbulingka were bombarded by Chinese artillery. The country has been under Chinese control ever since.
While this book is an autobiography written from a Tibetan perspective, I was impressed with how the Dalai Lama, in a relatively unbiased manner, was able to discuss both sides of the Tibetan-Chinese conflict. The Dalai Lama does not want to retaliate for the actions that the Chinese have taken against his people. He just wants his people to be free to practice their religion. The Dalai Lama states that he has no hatred for the Chinese people. As he puts it, “I believe it is one of the curses and dangers of the present age to blame nations for the crimes of individuals.” It is refreshing to see the leader of an oppressed people act so calmly and peacefully amid such horror. That is the essence of the Buddhist religion. In light of recent world events it would be beneficial for some of today’s world leaders to read this book.