Le Tibet: Une civilisation blessée

by Françoise Pommaret-Imaeda

Quand on prononce le mot Tibet, les images s'enchevêtrent dans un kaléidoscope d'idées reçues et d'instantanés du réel: paysages austères et somptueux, sommets enneigés, lamas et monastères, cavaliers et, bien sûr, Tintin. L'actualité et l'intérêt grandissant pour le bouddhisme tibétain imposent leurs images: le dalaï-lama et son sourire éclatant, les jeunes Tibétains en exil, de tristes villes nouvelles, la présence permanente des Chinois - immigrés, soldats, boutiquiers prospères -, le palais du Potala et l'immense place sur laquelle se dresse maintenant un monument de 37 mètres de haut à la gloire de " l'armée populaire de libération ". En remontant aux racines culturelles des Tibétains, depuis le temps des rois et des conquêtes, et en donnant des clés religieuses et historiques, Françoise Pommaret permet de mieux comprendre ce pays fascinant, " si voisin du ciel " et " où toujours sont retournés ceux qui l'avaient une fois entrevu". De quel Tibet parle-t-on? Du Tibet culturel ? De l'espace géographique ? Du Tibet tel qu'il est défini dans le cadre de la République populaire de Chine? De celui représenté par les Tibétains en exil? Plus de 150 illustrations pour mieux connaître ce pays et rendre compte de l'inextricable situation politique actuelle.

Genres: History, Travel, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ana-Maria Bujor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this little books because I really don't know much about Tibet. The writing and the beautiful images helped me in that regard and I got some fascinating insight regarding the spiritual life and the history, as well as the abuses committed by the communist regime in China. My only complaint is related to there being almost no information about the life of the average Joe. There has to be more to it than just them being spiritual in the sense understood by westerners. It's a good introduction though, so maybe it's just meant to make one curios and go look for more.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

203 - 2019

[Tito Quiling, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other cities and locations around the globe that are more or less foreign to us, and those that we read usually in older historical texts, Tibet is one of those places that are shrouded in mystery even in modern times. You have Bhutan, Timbuktu, Samarkand, Inner Mongolia, among others, that allowed people to think about what life in those areas are. This quick read provides an overview of images and key information regarding the Plateau on the northern side of the Himalayas, whose region has been contested by the People's republic of China and what used to be an entirely autonomous governance. Today, it is a province-level condition that is part of the republic, working under the central government miles away. Despite the political and social turmoil that has been part of contemporary Tibetan life and how it is projected towards the rest of the world, its traditions and practices have been carefully and strongly preserved by the peoples who inhabit the plateau that captured the interest of most outsiders.

[Michael Kerjman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a compact informative book that provides a vast volume of various information, historic, cultural, political for seeking info of Tibet.

Highly recommended.

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over forty years ago I became interested in Tibet after reading Walter Evans-Wentz' "Tibetan Book of the Dead." Pommaret's interesting, informative and enjoyable book helped me put much into better perspective. This volume covers the people, geography, culture, religion and politics of an isolated and mysterious land. Included is an account of the Tibetan Empire which began in 618 under the rule of Songtsan Gampo and covered parts of what are now China, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Tibetan dominance of Central Asia lasted until 841. Pommaret's final chapter focus on the plight of the Tibetan people currently under the rule of China and the efforts of the Tibetan government in exile to regain sovereignty and control of its own destiny.