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Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert Thurman
Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
Buy New: $13.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 99252
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Atria Books/Beyond Words Hardcover Ed
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 1582702209
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.3923092
EAN: 9781582702209
ASIN: 1582702209
Publication Date: June 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: CHARITY SALE!!! New book in mint condition. 100% of the proceeds benefit the literacy efforts of Books for America.
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Product Description
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an extraordinary example of a life dedicated to peace, communication, and unity. What he represents, and what he has accomplished, heals and transcends the current tensions between Tibet and China. Why the Dalai Lama Matters explores just why he has earned the world's love and respect, and how restoring Tibet's autonomy within China is not only possible, but highly reasonable, and absolutely necessary for all of us together to have a peaceful future as a global community.In the few decades since the illegal Chinese invasion of Tibet, Tibetans have seen their ecosystem destroyed, their religion, language, and culture repressed, and systematic oppression and violence against anyone who dares acknowledge Tibetan sovereignty. Yet, above it all, the Dalai Lama has been a consistent voice for peace, sharing a "Middle-Way" approach that has gathered accolades from the Nobel Peace Prize to the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. Modeling this peaceful resistance shows the world that nobody is free unless everybody is free -- and that a solution exists that can benefi t all parties, not just one. And more than just his nation have taken notice. His inter-religious dialogues, honest, humble demeanor, and sense of compassionate justice sets him apart in a world at war with itself. When China changes policy and lets Tibetans be who they are, Tibet can, in turn, join with China in peaceful coexistence. Why the Dalai Lama Matters is not merely a book about Tibet or the Dalai Lama. It is a revealing, provocative solution for a world in confl ict, dealing with the very fundamentals of human rights and freedoms. By showing the work that the Dalai Lama has done on behalf of his people, Thurman illuminates a worldwide call to action, showing that power gained by might means nothing in the face of a determined act of truth.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 The Dalai Lama's life is devoted to peace and non-violence August 14, 2008
The Dalai Lama's life is devoted to peace and non-violence - but few are aware of how he's achieved a worldwide reputation for such. WHY THE DALAI LAMA MATTERS blends a history of Tibet with a survey of political and social change, weaving in the Dalai Lama's biography in the process. Any library strong in human rights issues, Asian history or Eastern spirituality and religion needs WHY THE DALAI LAMA matters.
 Hollow book, mostly vague empty rhetoric. July 17, 2008
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
While I wasn't expecting anything groundbreaking in this book, neither was I expecting unmitigated dreck from professor Thurman. Unfortunately that what this book amounts to.
The history of 20th century Sino-Tibetan relations are given a relatively cursory and heavily biased accounting. This book will not serve as an introductory text to the issue. Most of the proposals issued by Thurman amount to little more than ill-conceived delusions completly detached from any sense of reality. The transformation of Tibet into a financial and banking center akin to an Asian Switzerland chief among them. I won't even insult the reader by having to explain why this is unrealistic. Neither is turning all of "Greater" Tibet into one giant nature preserve.
I particularly enjoyed how he was able to rationalize the ethnic cleansing of several million Chinese by depopulating all urban areas from his idealized Tibetan urheimat in under a paragraph. Most of the rest is in the same vein, one giant socio-economic system built upon monumental egotism and wishful thinking pretty much sums it up.
I wish I could say that it was at least readable, but it is lacking even there. The writing is simply atrocious and reads like it was written by an undergraduate with no proofreading whatsoever. Reading lines like "joyous Tibetans dancing from joy for joyous western tourists" is simply wince inducing.
Less a history lesson or feasible plan of action than a self-indulgent palliative for Free Tibet hippies in light of the recent Lhasa riots.
Noble But Naive July 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Followers of the Dharma believe in the interconnectedness of all life and consequently practice non-violence. Here the brilliant teacher and former Buddhist monk, Robert Thurman, in addressing China's occupation and oppression of Tibet advocates a non-violent plan to end China's Tibet 'problem '. His answer is for China to give Tibet internal autonomy while it remains in a kind of "United States of Asia" ie. remaining part of China. Thurman argues for a democratic Tibet with a constitution where the Dalai Lama would renounce political rule over Tibet and would not advocate total independence from China. Tibet would have free elections and the Dalai Lama would remain the spiritual and moral head of Tibet. These are all noble and worthwhile ideals. The problem is they are completely naive. Thurman says China can only win by giving Tibet autonomy, as China by doing this will gain esteem in the eyes of the world. However, Thurman fails to address the most important reason that China will never grant autonomy to a Tibetan autonomous and democratic entity. The crux is that word "democracy". Why would Tibet want an autonomous democracy in its midst? In the eyes of the Chinese Communist Party the results would be dire. Suddenly all of its people would be clamouring for the same thing. Thurman's arguement seems naive in the extreme. However, I never thought I would ever see the collapse of the Soviet Union or the fall of the Berlin Wall in my lifetime, so perhaps anything is possible. Dr. Thurman makes a noble argument.
Coaxing the dragon June 20, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
In the current crisis over Tibet, this book by Thurman is topical, to the point, with some practical suggestions as to the resolution of the conflict with China. The tremendous forbearance of the Dalai Lama receives here a spokesman for the peaceful resolution of the Tibetan tragedy in the form of the status of autonomy, and it is hard to see how the Chinese expect to simply ignore the realities of the situation that has emerged and that is so prejudicial to the Chinese self-image. Thurman reminds us that Tibetan Buddhism is an immense legacy whose destruction by any party could only backfire in ignominy.
The tensions of the Tiber/China conflict are tremendous, Thurman's calm is the context for a convincing plea, but will China have the presence of mind to listen?
A solution for world peace June 11, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Read this book if you want to know of a viable solution to peace between Tibet and China. Thurman gives us 7 jewels. First, because of Thurman's 45 year friendship with His Holiness, Thurman gives the reader an intimate connection to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, specifically, his brilliant mind and his good, pure heart. A mind/heart connection that seeks gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, and wisdom. This is the psychologically mature leader the world desperately needs. I found this part of Thurman's book to be especially engaging. Second, Thurman provides a brief, but truthful account of the history of Tibet and Sino-Tibetan relations with the brutal oppression and cultural genocide of Tibetans by the Chinese Communist Party. Third, Thurman shows us not only his extensive knowledge and passion for Tibetans and Tibetan culture, but his own gentle, compassionate, and altruistic mind/heart connection. We need leaders in the world like this! The fourth jewel is Thurman's feasible, practical vision for how China and Tibet can benefit from a One Country, Two System arrangement. Though the vision has its potential drawbacks, Thurman articulates the overarching win-win outcome. It is doable if both sides can build essential trust. The fifth jewel is Thurman's compassion for both sides in advancing the Dalai Lama's Middle Way approach. The sixth jewel--Thurman's Wisdom of Nonviolence--is salient and woven like a tapestry throughout the book. Here, Thurman stays true to the essence of Buddhism. And I found Thurman's seventh jewel most endearing and inspiring of all--the jewel of abiding Hope. His indefatigable hope that a peaceful solution is entirely possible was invigorating to me. In a world with ecological problems which present dire peril for our planet, Thurman's hope for transcending these anthropogenic problems shines through from the jewel that is essential Thurman, essential Buddhism---a brilliant mind and a Good Heart. Read Thurman---it is sheer joy to be inspired by him! Other recommended readings are Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart and The Meaning of Life from a Buddhist Perspective both by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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