-by Aishwarya Nair, News18.com
‘Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet’ is a powerful illustrated non-fiction graphic novel written by William Meyers, Robert Thurman, and Michael G. Burbank. The illustrations are presented by Steve Buccellato, Donald Hudson, Kinsun Loh, Miranda Meeks and Andrey Pervukhin.
It is a vivid exploration of the life and spiritual journey of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, presented against the turbulent backdrop of Tibet’s modern political history. Spanning over a century—from the British invasion of Tibet in 1904 to recent global activism—this book inculcates geopolitics, history, spirituality, and human rights into a visually compelling narrative.
Divided into ten parts, the book documents the Dalai Lama’s journey from his birth to his recognition as a global symbol of peace, compassion and resistance. It explores the political turmoil of the 20th century, particularly the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the cultural genocide that followed. The book confronts difficult realities head-on. It portrays the brutalities of the Chinese invasion, the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, and the massive loss of Tibetan lives, while simultaneously showcasing the resilience and compassion of His Holiness.
The first part sets the geopolitical stage, highlighting Tibet’s geographic significance and the interplay between powers such as British India, China, Russia, and Mongolia. The visuals combined with historical context—like the Younghusband mission and the 13th Dalai Lama’s pilgrimage to India—help readers understand how the Tibetan cause was not just local, but political as well.
The second part focuses on the early years of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, and his enthronement. His training at Drepung Monastery’s Gomang College, where emphasis was laid on logic and debate, is a testament to the deeply scholastic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
The third and fourth parts capture the growing tension with Mao Zedong’s China. While the Dalai Lama initially tried diplomacy—attending the National Assembly in Beijing and meeting Mao, the atrocities in Amdo and Kham revealed China’s true intentions. The supposed peace guaranteed in the 1951 Seventeen Point Agreement was betrayed. By 1959, over 15,000 Tibetans were killed in a matter of days during a violent crackdown. The book provides statistics, maps, and real quotes that reflect emotions arising out of painful historical events.
The fifth part shifts to India, where a 23-year-old Dalai Lama finds refuge after fleeing Tibet. His dialogue with Prime Minister Nehru and the UN’s 1959 Resolution on Tibet marked the beginning of Tibet’s internationalization. While India’s support remained mostly humanitarian, the global recognition of the Tibetan cause was a turning point.
In the sixth and seventh parts, the book traces the 1960s and 1970s. The Dalai Lama is shown engaging with world leaders, including Indira Gandhi, while atrocities in Tibet continued. The narration is explained in the backdrop of global events which includes Cold War dynamics, China- US rapprochement, and Vietnam—which shaped the Dalai Lama’s path. Simultaneously, he began spreading his spiritual teachings, notably the Kalachakra teachings, making Tibetan Buddhism accessible to Western audiences.
The eighth part presents the Dalai Lama’s 1987 Five-Point Peace Plan and his address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This section is rich with political nuance from the Tiananmen Square massacre to his receipt of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama emerges not just as a spiritual leader, but as a statesman advocating for peaceful solutions rooted in compassion. Click here to read more.
The post Book Review: ‘Man of Peace’ Is More Than Just A Biography Of The Dalai Lama Of Tibet first appeared on Central Tibetan Administration.
The post Book Review: ‘Man of Peace’ Is More Than Just A Biography Of The Dalai Lama Of Tibet appeared first on Central Tibetan Administration.
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