The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk

I've read a few books about the sufferings of Tibetans by now, but still, this book managed to affect me and make me stop and think. Again and again. First of all, how has nothing changed since this book confirmed that China is continuing to do all it can to wipe out the culture, religion and spirit of Tibet? I know I have responsibility to speak up about this (and I will) but I still can't believe that higher powers up there did not stop China by now.Anyway, back to the book- Palden Gyatso is the image of courage, compassion and inner strength. I read passages of how he was tortured and bullied and then would flip to the inner photo of this tiny, frail man-astonishing! I see now that the determined and strong look on his face at the UK Independence rally co-exists with the gentle, loving portrait on the cover and it's a wonderful combination. This book reminded me that it takes deep courage to stand up for who you are and what you believe in but there is no greater purpose for each of us than to aim for that goal with all that we have.Read this book to better understand why Tibet needs our support but also to re-instill your own will to be a decent,kind and courageous human being.

Perhaps it's age. There was a time when all things "holy" absorbed my attention totally. The courage and fortitude of Palden Gyatso are awe inspiring, but I found myself wondering why he endured such torment for an abstraction. The devotion to a mortal who seemingly has no power to ameliorate the suffering of his people. The Dalai Lama is, no doubt, an inspiration to people all over the world, but I find myself seeing him as a monk that landed in the middle of a political quagmire where he has no real influence. Goodness is simply not enough to take on the malignancies of the world. Palden Gyatso's trials are formidable, but historically, there have always been incursions into other's countries and almost always violently. The conquered are assimilated. That is just the history of the world. By all means fight if you feel you must fight, but I have seen little evidence that it makes a difference.He found his way to the Dalai Lama and that deserves a fist pump.I believe it was the Basque people who never resisted invasions. The "conquerers" , finding no challenge to their dominance, just let the people go about their business. Such has been the history of the Basque. They looked at their enemy and yawned.

Anyone who thinks even for a second socialism is a good idea for a society should read this book and judge for themselves. Its only in real life situations and examples that we can make real judgements and this book with put you face to face with it.

Ven. Palden Gyatso was the longest held prisoner in Chinese camps since the occupation of Tibet. This memoir,told in clean,plain prose{a kudo to the translator]is horrifying in its matter-of-fact detailing of the horrors of Tibetan prisons.The graphic descriptions of the tortures that Ven. Gyataso endured left me queasy,and yet a thread of hope continue throughout the book. From group re-education to starvation to penal camp labor and extreme torture[one of which lest him,unconscious for an indeterminate time,in a pool of blood,urine,feces and 20 of his teeth],Ven. Palden Gyatso somehow emerged from this,then escaped to Dharmasala,India the home of the Dalai lama{the story of his meeting the Dalai lama and the frontpiece poem are lovely].I was left with the feeling of awe, actual awe at this man,and how he emerged WITHOUT BITTERNESS.Astonishing. Read this book.Give it to another.It, like its author, is extraordinary

I met Palden Gyatso on his world tour in 1997 when he gave a talk. He is one of the most remarkable people I have met, and his book is a story of amazing resilience.

This is both insightful, and uplifting. Quite transporting into a different world. A must read!

I gave this book 5 stars because it truly gave the reader the feeling of the time period; he explained all the people and feelings and events with such heart and courage, because how could he even think of bringing himself back to remember the horrible things he experienced? The only thing that he didn't do so well is with his writing/language...it isn't exceptional(but that is compared to the greatest writers, like Steinbeck)...but still EXTREMELY GOOD for a very old man. Overall, i really do recommend this.

This was a good book. Very descriptive and an easy read. A good choice for a budding Buddhist.

What struck me most about the book, after reading it, was the period of the narrative. It spans the pre and post-Mao era and travels that distance with hard facts. The incarceration of Gyatso Palden is the book. There is, besides, the daily prison life and whatever was happening there, nothing else that will inform the reader of the huge changes in the overall occupied Tibet. The translation could not have been better - kudos to the translator! For those who wish to understand the torturous life of the average Lama in Tibet from the date of its occupation to (almost) present day, this book will be a wonderful insight.

Maravillosa historia de un ser cercano a la Iluminación

A must read for every empathetic human who wants to know what so called "Cultural Revolution" of the Chinese has done to the Tibetans.Tears will definitely roll into your eyes wherein you will observe that even animals are treated better than the helpless betrayed Tibetans...

Best book