Freedom in Exile (English)
Introduction
There was a time when Tibet was not an Autonomous Region in China, a time when the Dalai Lama was not just a spiritual leader, but a political leader, as well. How was it that a peaceful nation became covered with violence and bloodshed? How did one man rise above it all to spread the peaceful teachings of Buddha?“Freedom in Exile” is more than just the life story of the Dalai Lama, it is the story of the Tibetan people and how they survived against oppression. Readers will be inspired by this book to continue on, even when all hope is lost and how to protect what you value most in the face of violence.
TO READ OR LISTEN COMPLETE BOOK CLICK HERE
Holder of the White Lotus
There are some who see me, the Dalai Lama as a living Buddha. There are others who consider me a god-king. But I am just a human being. I am just a man from Tibet who chose to become a Buddhist monk.Being the Dalai Lama is my role and responsibility.Roughly translated, Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom”. I am the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. I am writing my story for two significant reasons: first, I want more people to learn about the Dalai Lama; and second, I want to shed light on several important events in history.My parents were simple farmers, but we were fortunate enough to own a small piece of land. My father was a kind man, but sometimes, he had a quick temper. I remember once, as a small child, I pulled his moustache too hard, and he hit me for it.
My mother was very compassionate. There was once a famine in China and some citizens near the border crossed into Tibet to relieve their hunger. A couple knocked on our door, they begged mother for food and of course, she fed them. She even gave more food to carry back with them.I have seven siblings. Two of my brothers became monks like me and they became my trusted confidants as the Dalai Lama.The people of Tibet used to be very aggressive and prone to wars, but the teachings of Buddha changed all that. The Tibetans’ strength in arms was greatly transformed into strength of spirit. Buddhism became a vital part of the Tibetan society.It was said that the Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of all the Dalai Lamas who came before him, that he is the manifestation of Bodhisattva, the ‘Holder of the White Lotus’. I was three years old when the 13th Dalai Lama died, and a search party was sent to find the person who would be the Dalai Lama reincarnation.
One day, the senior Lama had a vision: he was gazing upon a sacred lake when suddenly, three letters floated in the air. The three letters were Ah, Ka and Ma. After that, the senior Lama also saw a small house on a hill. That vision led the search party to the north-eastern part of Tibet.The search party made it to the province of Amdo where they proceeded to the Kumbum Monastery. Once there, they saw the small house on a hill from the senior Lama’s vision. The search party went to the house and asked if they could stay for the night.They concluded that the letters of the vision sent them directly to this location: Ah must have meant Amdo.
Ka must have meant Kumbum. Ma must have meant Sera Lama.The leader of the search party disguised himself as a servant, but the youngest child in the home, a boy of only three, recognized him. “Sera Lama, Sera Lama” the little boy called. The leader was actually Kewtsang Rinpoche, the senior monk of the Sera Monastery. After that, the search party presented several items to the child. Some of the items had belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama. Amazingly, the child picked each of the Dalai Lama’s belongings and said “It’s mine, it’s mine.”I was that little boy. From that moment on, my life changed.
TO READ OR LISTEN COMPLETE BOOK CLICK HERE
The Lion Throne
I left my home to begin my role as the Dalai Lama, and I was sad to be separated from my parents, but they were allowed to visit me every once in a while. The monks took me to the Potala Palace where a ceremony was held to announce me as the spiritual leader of Tibet. I was only a small child, yet I was seated on the Lion Throne.The Lion Throne was beautifully carved and decorated with jewels. After the ceremony, my training as a monk began. I became a novice monk.The Rinpoche, or the spiritual masters, took care of me. There was Reting Rinpoche who served as Regent or temporary political leader, he was also my senior tutor. And there was Tathag Rinpoche, my junior tutor, who was very kind and warm.Tathag Rinpoche shared stories and jokes with me when our lessons were over.
Kewtsang Rinponche was the leader of the search party and my third tutor. Because he was also from Amdo, I became very close to him. Sometimes, when Kewtsang Rinpoche wanted me to recite from a book, I would hang around his neck and laugh. “You recite, you recite.” I would merrily say to him. My brother, Lobsang Samten, and I were taught together until I was eight years old. He was also training to be a monk. We had a place in the monastery which served as a schoolroom. The sweepers became our playmates and friends.I would wake up at six o’clock in the morning and dress in my usual robes. I spent the first hour in prayer and meditation. At 7 o’clock, I would eat my breakfast, which usually consisted of tsampa and tea.When breakfast was finished, I would start my lessons; first, reading, then penmanship, and after, memorization. At 10 o’clock, I would attend a government meeting, of the highest council of four men, including myself, the Regent and Kashag.
At noon, the bell would ring for lunch. After my meal, I would be allowed to play. I was lucky to have many toys, because foreign delegates brought me toys whenever they visited. The British gave me lots of construction sets and the Americans presented me with two beautiful birds that could sing.I was taught in 5 major subjects: medicine, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Tibetan culture and arts. I also studied minor subjects which included music, poetry, drama and astrology. Most of all, I trained to be an expert in debate and public speaking.At four o’clock was the regular break for tea. If there’s anyone who drinks more tea than the British, that would be Tibetans. At 5 o’clock, my lessons for the day came to an end. I would rush up towards the roof where I would explore the city through my telescope.My dinner was served at 7 o’clock in the evening. It usually consisted of broth, yoghurt, bread and tea. I often ate with my three monk attendants. Sometimes, I was also accompanied by the sweepers. Before I went to bed, I prayed and read the scriptures in the courtyard.For several years, I enjoyed this happy and comfortable routine. My tutors, my attendants and the sweepers nourished me. They raised me from a playful child to a responsible teenager. Tibet remained safe and at peace until that fateful summer of 1950.
TO READ OR LISTEN COMPLETE BOOK CLICK HERE
Invasion: The Storm Breaks
The earth moved. Tremors and explosions happened one after another. I remember that it was the summer festival. One messenger came running towards me, and the Regent received the letter.At that time, I had no political power, but I could sense that something was terribly wrong. The Regent went out immediately after reading. He summoned the Kashag to gather at once.The telegram was from the Governor of Kham, on the north-east border of Tibet. He reported that some Chinese soldiers had raided the Tibetan post. The Chinese soldiers announced that they intend to liberate Tibet from “imperialist forces”.Tibet was in serious danger. We only had an army of 8,500 men. We would be of no match for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which had just succeeded in establishing the Communist government in China.Two months later, 80,000 PLA soldiers crossed the border into Tibet.
The Chinese radio station reported that the Communists would begin the “peaceful liberation of Tibet” as the army marched toward Lhasa, our nation’s capital.We could never assume to fight China with weapons.The Regent and the Kashag did their best efforts towards diplomacy. The British government and Indian governments also appealed to China, they protested that the invasion’s intent was not peaceful.The Tibetan government appealed to the United Nations, but because Tibet chose to exist in peaceful isolation, the correspondence soon came to an end.The situation got worse. There were people who wanted the political leadership to be already bestowed on me, they believed that the Dalai Lama was especially needed at this time of crisis, but it was two years earlier than custom for me to assume this position. There were also others who thought I was not yet ready for this responsibility.However, an oracle declared that my time had come. And so, my senior tutor stepped down as Regent. The date for my enthronement was carefully chosen, November 17, 1950. On that day, I was transformed from being a carefree young adult to a leader of a country on the brink of war.
That same month, an abbot came to the palace with grave news. He looked miserable and was very anxious and tense. It was evident that the abbot has suffered many terrible things.That abbot was actually my eldest brother, Taktser Rinpoche. He became the abbot of Kumbum monastery. He said that Amdo, our province near the border, had fallen and was under the control of Communists.Taktser Rinpoche was imprisoned in his own monastery. The Chinese forced him to learn communism. They told him that he would have his freedom if he agreed to go to Lhasa and persuade me to surrender Tibet. They told him that if I declined, then he should slay me.My eldest brother had witnessed how the Chinese destroyed our home province. He pretended to agree with his captors so that he could go to Lhasa and warn me. Takster Rinpoche convinced my senior officials that I should never fall into the hands of the Communists.