Man of Peace: The illustrated life story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet

by Robert A.F. Thurman, William Meyers, Michael G. Burbank

Why the "life story" of the Dalai Lama? It is a story of one man taking on an empire, calling for truth, peace, and justice for his Tibetan people. Here, in full color for the first time, people can come to know the whole drama of his lifelong struggle. Since the age of 15, the Dalai Lama has defended his people against one of the last great empires, the People’s Republic of China. Under its "dictatorship of the proletariat," China began to invade Tibet in 1950, decimating and then continually oppressing its people. Since colonialism cannot be practiced in our era of self-determined nations, China always maintains that the Tibetans are a type of Chinese, using propaganda and military power to crush Tibet’s unique culture and identity. Yet the Dalai Lama resists by using only the weapon of truth—along with resolute nonviolence—even worrying some of his own people by seeking dialogue and reconciliation based on his more realistic vision. The great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has become the first global Dalai Lama, a prominent transnational leader of all who want to make the dramatic changes actually necessary for life on earth to thrive for centuries to come. Considered the incarnation of the Buddhist savior Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara—archangel of universal compassion—he is believed to appear in many forms, at many different times, whenever and wherever beings suffer. Representing the plight of his beloved Tibetan people to the world, he has also engaged with all people who suffer oppression and injustice, as recognized in 1989 by his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Most importantly, the Dalai Lama walks his talk throughout these pages, as he has throughout his life, and he radiates a powerful hope that we can and will prevail. Man of Peace presents the inside story of his amazing life and vision, in the high tension of the military occupation of Tibet and the ongoing genocide of its people—a moving work of political and historical nonfiction brought to life in the graphic novel form—here for all to see.

Genres: Biography, Buddhism, History, Graphic Novels, Politics, Comics, Religion

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2020

About the author

Tenzin Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, holding the first endowed chair of Buddhist Studies in the United States. He is the author of the bestseller Inner Revolution, as well as Anger, Infinite Life, and other popular books. He is also a translator of Tibetan texts. He serves as co-founder and president of Tibet House US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the endangered culture of Tibet.

Reviews

[Charles Source · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already a fan of the Dalai Lama before, but after reading his incredible tale of spiritual training, survival, and unceasing efforts to promote peace and preserve the precious culture of Tibet, I think I can now call myself a super-fan! Seriously, I admire His Holiness so much after learning more about his life story through this book -- from his birth and upbringing, to the seemingly brief time he was the official leader of Tibet in Lhasa (pre-Chinese invasion), to his ability to persist and even flourish in his role as Buddhist monk and spiritual teacher in exile against all odds, in the face of the insane and unnecessary violence and oppression of Tibet by China -- it's mind-blowing, actually, when you realize how much he’s been through. And yet still, everywhere he goes and every time you seem him, he's genuinely joyful, positive and compassionate.

This is a must-read for anyone interested in Buddhism, the current Dalai Lama or recent Tibetan culture and history (much of which is dark, disturbing and unsettling -- I don’t know if most people realize how awfully Tibet has been treated by China for DECADES, and I mean genocide-level awful). Also, the artwork is beautiful and expressive (just take a look at that cover!), and makes for a vivid, aesthetically-pleasing reading experience (except, of course, when the pictures depict defenseless Tibetan citizens and monks getting gunned down by Chinese soldiers or the gulag-like environment in Lhasa in later years -- then the pictures are scary!), one that’s undoubtedly different and more accessible than reading a traditional biography. Some intriguing figures from the history of Tibetan Buddhism and China appear within this epic story that spans over half a century, including Mao Zhedong himself, the Panchen Lama, the Austrians who inspired the movie Seven Years in Tibet, and Robert Thurman (one of the co-authors of the book; he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Columbia before and has a long-standing and well-documented friendship with His Holiness).

I got my copy used on Amazon for a decent price, and I suggest you do the same if you want to gain insight into the suffering and travails of humankind and the noble soul with the unique ability to rise above it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years in the making, this volume is one of the most visually enthralling and yet most sad and violent books I've ever read. I recommend it to anyone deeply interested in world politics over the last century as illustrated from a Tibetan point of view. With such a detailed coverage of events through the Dalai Lama's life up until 2014, it offers a much different experience than the Hollywood stories, yet just as much, if not more, artistic appeal. It also gives some insight into the Dalai Lama's commitment to nonvoilence both within and outside of Tibet, and his decision to retire and make way for a new Tibetan democracy.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows the struggles and tribulations of the current Dalai Lama. With the inaction of so many nations and the current state of world affairs, it has been said he will probably be the last one. Which is very sad.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely thorough look at the life of the Dali Lama and the situation still going on in Tibet. The illustrations are breathtaking. There were times I couldn't tell if they were photos or paintings they were so lifelike.

[Moti Rieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing achievement. Graphic biography of the Dalai Lama, beautiful art and comprehensive history of the (tragic) 20th century history of Tibet.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful graphic novel, though it has much more history than insight

[Greg Soden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A STELLAR BOOK. GET IT.

[Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of rainbows in this book.

[Piyush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the life of Dalai Lama and the history of Tibet for the past century. The graphics really impressive and keeps you immersed.

[Tom Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic was filled with great information. I learned so much about Tibet , China world politics not to mention the History of the Dalai Lama

[Jim McGurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrated biography of the XIVth Dalai Lama.

[Endeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first serious graphic novel since the days of Spiderman and Bones! I have been a follower of Vajrayana (Diamond vehicle) since the 1990s and have always found time to listen to the teachings of HH Dalai Lama whom I believe embodies ancient wisdom from the snow land of ancient Tibet: imagine having nurtured from a child of 4 years old for more than half a century in this once reclusive monastic culture. I wanted to learn from such a unique mind. What this amazing graphic novel has achieved in 280 pages of full illustrations by 8 talented artists (the book itself is 304 pages) is to make a very complex life story with so many dimensions much more heart-to-heart. It peels the onion for you... perhaps, tears along the way is a real response to the struggles of this small nation and their divine leader, and her vanishing great masters of mind science. You feel the story flow in the illustrations, like watching a movie. It is like a contemporary Bhagavad Gita - yes, as another reviewer mentioned violent scenes that historically happened in Tibet were depicted realistically - but the essence in telling the story in this great book was what went through the mind of the Dalai Lama as a youth, faced with such a ferocious conquerer of his land and people; how he and his gurus processed their experiences and challenges of life based on the great culture of Tibet. The imagination follows the beautiful illustrations and you feel the culture, the costumes, the mandala expansive Dzog Chen-like, or the great Drala of Shambhala (energy beyond aggression)) all these wonderfully illustrated to tell how decisions of great personages, like HH Dalai Lama and survivors were made. Incredible graphic novel, worth every cent to be proudly added and displayed in my home library. I must say, Thank you' to the efforts of Robert A.F. Thurman, William Meyers and Michael G. Burbanks and all the artists in getting this graphic novel out. Find out more thus.org

[Lavender Dew Drops]

Lovely illustrations and presentation of the exile of HH Dalai Lama