autobiography of a Tibetan monk, The
Book Description
Born into a traditional Tibetan village in 1933, Palden Gyatso followed his calling to become a Buddhist monk at eighteen, eventually earning his place among the revered students at Drepung Monastery, one of Tibet's most prestigious spiritual institutions. There, surrounded by ancient wisdom and devoted practice, he flourished in his spiritual and intellectual development.
Yet the world beyond the monastery walls was shifting dramatically. When Communist China occupied Tibet in 1950, sweeping reforms began dismantling the very foundations of Tibetan society and culture. By 1959, Palden Gyatso found himself swept into a nightmare that would test every aspect of his faith and inner strength.
For thirty-three years, he endured imprisonment, torture, and relentless persecution, targeted solely for his unwavering commitment to his Buddhist beliefs and monastic identity. His crime was simply being a monk in a system determined to erase Tibet's spiritual heritage.
In 1992, at last freed from captivity, Palden Gyatso made a perilous escape across the Himalayas to India, carrying with him evidence of the brutality he had witnessed and survived. His remarkable account reveals how deep spiritual practice can sustain the human spirit through unimaginable suffering, while illuminating the profound courage required to preserve one's beliefs against overwhelming oppression.
This powerful memoir offers profound insights into resilience, faith, and the indomitable nature of the human soul.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 232 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Political prisoners
- ✓ Understand Buddhist philosophy and practice
- ✓ Explore Lamas
- ✓ Explore Monks
- ✓ Explore Tibet autonomous region (china), biography
- ✓ Explore Buddhist monasticism and religious orders
- ✓ Explore Tibetans
- ✓ Explore Buddhism, china, tibet autonomous region
