Dalai Lama's Freedom in Exile

Introduction
This is a review of Freedom in Exile, the fourteenth autobiography known as The Autobiography of Dalai Lama. The account of The Dalai Lama was published in 1991. It is an account of his life from the point when he was born in 1935 in a village called Takster Dokham, when he was recognized as the 14 Dalai Lama at a tender age of two, movement to Central Tibet, the occupation of the PRC in the 1950s, when he went into exile in Indiana in 1959 and the life he led in exile. The autobiography gives the reader an exciting and often surprising account of the Monks life and his philosophies while in exile. It reveals that the monk’s life was far from being simple.
Analytical review
In his preamble to the autobiography called Freedom in Exile; The Autobiography of Dalai Lama, he makes clear the motivation to offer the story of his life for readers. He describes himself as a simple monk who has decided to share a story of his life. He points out that the autobiography isn’t about Buddhism as a religion. He states that he is motivated by two fundamental reasons. He explains that more and more people have shown interest in learning the Dalai Lama. He adds that he wishes to demystify some facts about historical events (xiii). Owing to the circumstances under which, in 1991, the Dalai Lama released the publication Freedom in Exile. By then, the Dalai Lama had lived in exile for 30 years since he left his home in Tibet, now a Chinese controlled territory. He had made a name and earned respect both locally and internationally for a persistent cause for the welfare of his people. The Chinese authorities had been painted in negative light, people developed interest in the Dalai Lama’s life, the plight of his people, Tibetan Buddhism and eventually earned him a Nobel Prize for Peace. He points out the book seeks to satiate the hunger of his committed followers while addressing the claims made by the Chinese government. It should be noted that this is not an anti Chinese government charade or expose. It is, rather, a personal peek into the life of a self described monk who chooses to refer to himself as a “simple monk”, although his life has not been exactly ordinary or simple.
The monk Dalai Lama (b. 1935) accounts for his life in a chronological sequence. His memoir is split into two. The first part addresses his life before he went into exile in 1959 and thereafter. The first half of his memoir delves into how he led life in Takster in Dokham being Lhamo Thondup (Dhondrub) before he was installed as the fourteenth Dalai Lama. It deals with the recognition he received in 1937, the track of his spiritual education and training in Lhasa , the Chinese invasion, his bid and plea for intervention by the international community that was never heeded and his final flight to exile in 1959. The second part of his autobiography, the monk describes the lives of his people as refugees in the Indian state. Her also describes his various interactions with politicians, religious leaders, Tibetans and other prominent figures and leaders across the globe. He also highlights his philosophies regarding a range of topics across the globe. The Dalai Lama outlines what he figures should be the future for Tibet. Her hopes that Tibet will one day in future become the largest nature reserve in the world and a peace hub.
There are many reasons why the memoir is regarded as historically important. Firstly, it is the Dalai Lama’s second account of his own life. The first one titled My Land and My People was published 1962. His first autobiography was published a few years after he went into exile. It gives an account of his life up until then. Consequently, the autobiography only covers half of the monk’s life to the point it was written. Freedom in Exile is particularly important because it accounts for his life both before and after he went into exile. It should be noted that Freedom in Exile should not be simply viewed as a summary of the earlier account: My land and my People. Although the second autobiography ignores many details of international diplomacy that are dealt with in the first autobiography, it accounts for the monk’s life from a different a fresh perspective. It emphasizes the fact that he is a simple monk. A critique may view the description as understated since the monk’s life is an interlaced one. He traversed the globe to lay a basis for the future of his motherland. It was the motivation in the action packed film Kundun. Freedom in Exile seizes the opportunity to explain and demonstrate the humane aspects of the Dalai Lama. He notes that when thinking about leaving his home country, he considered resigning from his religious post so as to avoid being at loggerheads with the Chinese (125). This is one of the many illustrations of the aspects of humanity that the autobiography seeks to exemplify.
The Dalai Lama has used Freedom in Exile to disclose his emotions and other aspects of his personality. He also uses it to demonstrate his thought and philosophies on a range of topics include the society in the West, the Future of Tibet and Marxism. He generates a new perspective and consideration of the topics. One of the outstanding criticisms of the Western society is that despite the material success and being privileged to live among many human neighbors, most westerners are only able to show their love and compassion to cats and dogs. The observation hints at the absence of spiritual values (199).
The view is a noticeable departure from the many criticisms of the Western society regarding their being overly materialistic and isolationist. It is a rare point made about the wider society by a Tibetan. Tibet was largely isolated from the rest of Asia and the world in general. When the people of Tibet encountered foreign influences such as from the British and the Chinese, they were always in subordinating predicament. Therefore, the fact that a Tibetan was able to traverse the world and make such observations was something to celebrate among Tibetan scholars.
Critical review
There is a powerful and disarming effect by the book’s title, Freedom in Exile. The account is a paradox too. In close examination, the idea of living in exile is a form of imprisonment by means of being excluded. Being in exile signifies lack of freedom. Owing to the fact that the Dalai Lama has been hindered from ruling his people by the foreign powers, it is debatable to cal Tibet his land. His Holiness, nonetheless, has picked on the title to highlight how people can survive even under such circumstances. Freedom in Exile deals with these issues indirectly. It chooses to explore heartfelt external developments instead of teaching. Thus, the reader must infer deeply for nourishment, spiritually.
It is notable that the reasons and circumstances that informed the Dalai Lama’s exile are ignored and described in the same measure. China invaded Tibet and added it to its territory. Thousands of Tibetans were slaughtered and thousands others enslaved. The turmoil and the pain is portrayed in detail. The facts highlighted may be familiar but they are still heartbreaking all the same. Although the young Dalai Lama, only 15 years, at the point of invasion struggled, his efforts were ignored. He was met with betrayal and violence. It is a historical fact that efforts by Tibetans to resist occupation by China receive little support from USA, Britain or other powerful nations. Thus, after almost a decade of efforts to attain peace, the monk had to cross the Indian borders in secrecy in 1959 and begin his now 30 year old life in exile.
The Dalai Lama has spent most of his time in exile studying and travelling. He has also been involved in numerous teaching opportunities and interacted with members of a large number of religious entities.. The motivation behind his struggles and travels is to persuade the world to help to return Tibet to Tibetans. He points out that even if there will be a wider political freedom space achieving the same for Tibet will be a tough struggle. Freedom in Exile illustrates how the author is conscious about the cultural differences between traditional Buddhism as practiced by Tibetans and the scientific ways of the West. Although isolation of Tibet is a thing of the past now, it remains a struggle to incorporate scientific advances in the people’s life. It has only begun. It is hard to tell how much of the traditional way will survive both the Western Scientific onslaught and the influence from the occupying communist powers.
The story of exile by the Dalai Lama must be considered as a critical historical evidence and witness to both humanity and compassion. It is a manifestation of faithfulness and generosity. The two publications go beyond historical events. They have strongly proposed ways of attaining freedom in the heart of oppression and subjugation by recognizing and targeting the primary human qualities of the oppressors, even in the middle of violence and vicious confrontation.
Conclusion
The autobiography is but a single example of the monk’s view of the world. It is a significant pointer to the fact that it I a unique and personal memoir in general. It is an exciting, refreshing and thoughtful piece by the Leader of Tibet who is forced to seek freedom outside his homeland. The winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989, the monk narrates the accounts with precise details. He highlights what it means and feels like to be the Dalai Lama’s living reincarnation; the secular and religious leader of Tibetan people. The autobiography presents an important personal lens for viewing the crucial historical developments of 20th Century Tibet. It also serves as a fascinating story of the humanizing aspects of the monk who has described himself as simple, although the reality of his life is clearly intricate and complex. It is the story of the Tibetan monk who has become a symbol of Tibetan freedom and autonomy; a leader who has earned respect across the globe for his campaign for Tibetan liberation. Apart from the entertaining accounts of his childhood days in Lhasa, he highlights the invasion of his homeland by the Chinese in 1959 and how he has spent his years in exile caring for his countrymen living as refugees and promoting peace through nonviolent means. One conjures a glowing picture of this admirable noble man and spiritual leader who is never short of compassion. Therefore, Freedom in Exile is a jewel that will fulfill the interest of both casual readers and refined scholars of Tibetan and, indeed, Asian studies.


References
Lama, Dalai. Freedom in exile: The autobiography of the Dalai Lama. Harper Collins, 1991.