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Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun
Since the publication of Sorrow Mountain in 2000, I have received letters from people throughout the world who felt inspired by Ani Pachen's example. Her courage in the face of devastation, as well as the Buddhist teachings that helped her endure, brought comfort to people experiencing
illness, depression, and loss. I heard from others who said they received solace from the book's essential message: the ability of an individual to face unimaginable tragedy and go on. It was a source of great satisfaction to Pachen to know that her story had touched so many, it was the culmination
of her dreams. In February 2002 Ani Pachen died in her sleep. Those of us who knew and loved her are comforted that she lived to see the publication of the book. She took great pride in helping to tell the world what happened in Tibet. "After years of suffering, my prayers have been answered," she
often said. "I feel blessed." -Adelaide Donnelley 2002
illness, depression, and loss. I heard from others who said they received solace from the book's essential message: the ability of an individual to face unimaginable tragedy and go on. It was a source of great satisfaction to Pachen to know that her story had touched so many, it was the culmination
of her dreams. In February 2002 Ani Pachen died in her sleep. Those of us who knew and loved her are comforted that she lived to see the publication of the book. She took great pride in helping to tell the world what happened in Tibet. "After years of suffering, my prayers have been answered," she
often said. "I feel blessed." -Adelaide Donnelley 2002
293 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
9 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,553 books6,195 followersJetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 2, 2022
This book tells the remarkable story of Ani Panchen, a Tibetan nun, who led the resistance to the ruthless Red Chinese occupation of Tibet, after her father's death in 1958.
For 21 years she was imprisoned in hellish Chinese prison camps, only surviving because of her strong will and faith.
After her release she continued to lead the struggle against the Red Chinese occupation and genocide of Tibet's people. In 1988 she was forced into exile in India, where she has continued to devote her life to the dream of Tibetan freedom, even after it has been forgotten by the world.
She begins by her peaceful childhood in pre-occupation Tibet:
In 1950 she describes how "Our country was still at peace, though on the eastern bank of the Yangtze River Chinese troops were gathering. In a few short years, they would sweep over my country, changing it forever. In the name of liberating Tibet from 'imperialist' powers they would destroy monasteries, plunder homes, burn sacred texts, and drive our people to poverty and despair."
Babies were removed from their parents in their thousands to be relocated to Red Chinese 're-education' centers were they were to be brought up in Communist doctrine. Over a million Tibetans were to be anihilated in the Chinese holocaust that followed, and even the animal life of Tibet destroyed in order to force the Tibetans to give up their reverence for life.
Ani Panchen tells of her experiences fleeing from Red Chinese forces, and of seeing small Tibetan children gunned down by Chinese snipers.
It also tells of Panchen's deep Tibetan Buddhist faith underpinned by her will to 'Let all beings be free of suffering, let all being find peace.'
While the book hopes to expose the horrors of the Chinese destruction of Tibet, in actions paralleling those of the Nazis during World War II, Richard Gere in his forward expresses his wish this book may help to "dispel the darkness of this darkest night of Tibetan history and be of benefit to all beings everywhere".
Will the world re-awaken to the suffering of the Tibetan people and the destruction of their civilization, and not least their dream of the re-birth of their culture and self-determination.
For 21 years she was imprisoned in hellish Chinese prison camps, only surviving because of her strong will and faith.
After her release she continued to lead the struggle against the Red Chinese occupation and genocide of Tibet's people. In 1988 she was forced into exile in India, where she has continued to devote her life to the dream of Tibetan freedom, even after it has been forgotten by the world.
She begins by her peaceful childhood in pre-occupation Tibet:
In 1950 she describes how "Our country was still at peace, though on the eastern bank of the Yangtze River Chinese troops were gathering. In a few short years, they would sweep over my country, changing it forever. In the name of liberating Tibet from 'imperialist' powers they would destroy monasteries, plunder homes, burn sacred texts, and drive our people to poverty and despair."
Babies were removed from their parents in their thousands to be relocated to Red Chinese 're-education' centers were they were to be brought up in Communist doctrine. Over a million Tibetans were to be anihilated in the Chinese holocaust that followed, and even the animal life of Tibet destroyed in order to force the Tibetans to give up their reverence for life.
Ani Panchen tells of her experiences fleeing from Red Chinese forces, and of seeing small Tibetan children gunned down by Chinese snipers.
It also tells of Panchen's deep Tibetan Buddhist faith underpinned by her will to 'Let all beings be free of suffering, let all being find peace.'
While the book hopes to expose the horrors of the Chinese destruction of Tibet, in actions paralleling those of the Nazis during World War II, Richard Gere in his forward expresses his wish this book may help to "dispel the darkness of this darkest night of Tibetan history and be of benefit to all beings everywhere".
Will the world re-awaken to the suffering of the Tibetan people and the destruction of their civilization, and not least their dream of the re-birth of their culture and self-determination.
August 26, 2013
This book opened my eyes to the atrocities that the Tibetan people went through at the hands of the Chinese in the latter half of the 20th century. I have to admit that I was a bit turned off by the spiritual zealotry that pervades the narrative...but on the other hand, if that's the lens through which many people experienced those events, it's interesting to see it from that point of view. The narrative still feels stilted, despite the fact that Pachen used a co-author to help write the book, but if you have only a superficial knowledge of the China-Tibet conflict (as I did), this is a good overview, although all of the political complexities are out of the scope of this story.
This was one tough lady.
This was one tough lady.
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July 4, 2019This book is both hard to read and hard to put down. The story of Ani Pachen is both horrifying and awe-inspiring. That someone could live through such torture while holding onto their spiritual beliefs and exhibiting courage is amazing. It is something many of us may aspire to but never hope to achieve.
This book shows how long China has been practicing Tibetan genocide. It is heart-breaking. I hope Ani's story inspires more understanding and compassion.
This book shows how long China has been practicing Tibetan genocide. It is heart-breaking. I hope Ani's story inspires more understanding and compassion.
July 29, 2025
I can’t really bring myself to review this, it was utterly heartbreaking and infuriating. Free Tibet, free all people oppressed by those that desire power. May they open their hearts and allow everyone to live peacefully.
May 1, 2020
Our Taekwondo teacher nicknamed my daughter, “Ani Pachen” recently in honor of the Tibetan chieftaness warrior who fought to free her people and their land from Chinese imperialism. I had to read her story to learn more. This story was beautifully written, although there was narrative license used to embellish Ani’s story with those of other Tibetans as well as Tibetan lama teachings from multiple sources ascribed to Ani’s teachers. I really appreciated and honored the author’s ability to weave the spiritual beliefs and practices of Tibetan Buddhism through the story which were critical for Ani to stay focused, hopeful and and strong in the face of extreme fear, starvation, torture, deceit, and loss of all physical treasures she held dear (family, spiritual texts, holy beads, etc). Ani was never a typical person drawn to the pleasures of the flesh or of material goods, she started life on a higher plane than most of us mortals. And she was able to maintain that higher level of dedication and commitment to her beliefs and ideals throughout- even a 9 month stint isolated in lockdown in the dark.
April 18, 2021
This would be a 3.5 star for me
I knew very little about the history of Tibet under Chinese rule and picked this book for this reason
It's hard to review a book which is mostly auto-biographical, as who am I to judge what is important in their story and life
I found the first 5 - 6 chapters a bit boring and I feel terrible saying it because I know it was needed to develop Ani Pachens life before Chinese occupation - the book heavily focuses on Buddhist thought which I occasionally skim read through
Once the Chinese come you are transported to the utter horror experienced by the Tibetan people - the treatment of their people made me sob at times
I think it is important for (western) people to do some research into the human abuses suffered across Asia, as I feel like it is barely mentioned during our formal high school education - whether it be through this book or through online reading
I knew very little about the history of Tibet under Chinese rule and picked this book for this reason
It's hard to review a book which is mostly auto-biographical, as who am I to judge what is important in their story and life
I found the first 5 - 6 chapters a bit boring and I feel terrible saying it because I know it was needed to develop Ani Pachens life before Chinese occupation - the book heavily focuses on Buddhist thought which I occasionally skim read through
Once the Chinese come you are transported to the utter horror experienced by the Tibetan people - the treatment of their people made me sob at times
I think it is important for (western) people to do some research into the human abuses suffered across Asia, as I feel like it is barely mentioned during our formal high school education - whether it be through this book or through online reading
May 30, 2020
One of the most remarkable memoirs that I have read; Ani Pachen’s story will definitely stay with me for a long time. This book also shows the tragedy of implementing forced ideology over compassion. Hoping to see a free Tibet in the near future.
September 22, 2022
This book was one of my summer library surprise bag.
I think I would never choose this book in the library... I think I've never looked on that shelf.
I'm really happy I got it and it was a really great read!
I think I would never choose this book in the library... I think I've never looked on that shelf.
I'm really happy I got it and it was a really great read!
September 5, 2019
Sad but important story.
December 12, 2019
Tibet
Breathing is not easy...
Breathing is not easy...
October 30, 2020
A fascinating yet disturbing story, beautifully written. Much of the writing is lyrical and sometimes borders on the poetic. Apart from all that, it is a story the world needs to know.
October 24, 2025
I read this as a pre-teen (yes, an unusual choice) and it changed my life. I’ve been meaning to re-read it for years, and I think I will.
March 1, 2021
Pachen's bravery when she think of her family's and community's suffering under Chinese colonialism was indeed worth everybody's time. Her courage was unbelievable as the story go further. This memoir is unforgettable! Resiliency and faith indeed brought privilege to reveal how greedy Chinese people were when it comes to possession of power. May there be a free Tibet!
October 4, 2013
This is the heart wrenching story of Ani Pachen. It begins with her life as a young girl and as a young woman along with her hopes and dreams for the future. She is the pampered only child of a wealthy area leader. However, when her father dies she is obligated to take his place as leader, a role she feels little prepared to fill. Her hope had been for a quiet reflective life as a nun but instead she must replace her father as a leader to fight an invading Chinese army set upon capturing Tibet.
How can the peaceful Tibetan people with their primitive weapons oppose the modern Chinese invasion? They try but one by one, the leaders are captured. Ani Pachen is one of the few women recognized as a leader of the resistance. Following in the footsteps of her father, who led, organized and made plans to resist the Chinese, she finds herself suffering because of his activities as well as her own. Beatings, torture, and isolation occur daily. And she is moved from prison to prison. Food is scarce but what she has she shares with others and hard work occupies much of her time. What, she wonders, has happened to her family?
This sad story is skillfully woven with Ani Pachen's religious beliefs and prayers as well as flashbacks to earlier and happier times. The reader finds two prayers that she utters throughout the book. One is "Om Mani Pene Hum" which gave her courage to endure. When she was captured and imprisoned another prayer became part of her devotions: "Blessed Lord Buddha, give me the suffering of all sentient beings. I will bear them as my own." Meanwhile the world ignored the invasion of this beautiful country and the rape and obliteration of its culture. Because I knew little about the events in Tibet during this period I found the book a thought provoking read. Ani Pachen was an inspiration to her people and I believe that she becomes one to those who read her story.
How can the peaceful Tibetan people with their primitive weapons oppose the modern Chinese invasion? They try but one by one, the leaders are captured. Ani Pachen is one of the few women recognized as a leader of the resistance. Following in the footsteps of her father, who led, organized and made plans to resist the Chinese, she finds herself suffering because of his activities as well as her own. Beatings, torture, and isolation occur daily. And she is moved from prison to prison. Food is scarce but what she has she shares with others and hard work occupies much of her time. What, she wonders, has happened to her family?
This sad story is skillfully woven with Ani Pachen's religious beliefs and prayers as well as flashbacks to earlier and happier times. The reader finds two prayers that she utters throughout the book. One is "Om Mani Pene Hum" which gave her courage to endure. When she was captured and imprisoned another prayer became part of her devotions: "Blessed Lord Buddha, give me the suffering of all sentient beings. I will bear them as my own." Meanwhile the world ignored the invasion of this beautiful country and the rape and obliteration of its culture. Because I knew little about the events in Tibet during this period I found the book a thought provoking read. Ani Pachen was an inspiration to her people and I believe that she becomes one to those who read her story.
August 12, 2013
Many years ago I visited a Tibetan Refugee Camp in Pokhara, but never really appreciated Tibet’s story until reading, “Sorrow Mountain”; a book written by a Tibetan nun documenting the injustices and cruelty afflicted on her nation from the 1950s to present. In my mind, Tibet has many parallels to Cambodia and the effects of Year Zero (experienced while working in Phnom Penh in the late 1990s) – the orphans, the lost generations, the physical (and internal) scars.
Communism has a lot to answer for.
The book itself is well written and the Buddhist texts included are wonderfully thought-provoking.
Congratulations to all involved in this writing project.
Communism has a lot to answer for.
The book itself is well written and the Buddhist texts included are wonderfully thought-provoking.
Congratulations to all involved in this writing project.
January 9, 2013
Sorrow Mountain, Ani Pachen's story as told to Adelaide Donnelley, is a compelling story of a privileged Tibetan girl who, after the Chinese invasion of Tibet, took her father's place as a tribal leader, was captured and spent many years in prison, then finally escaped to McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala India, where she lived out her last years as a nun. I read it while in McLeod Ganj last fall and I wanted to visit her, but discovered she had passed away about ten years before.
Ellen Besso, Author of "Surviving Eldercare & "An Indian Sojourn" (to be released this month).
Ellen Besso, Author of "Surviving Eldercare & "An Indian Sojourn" (to be released this month).
January 14, 2012
This moving story of the life of a strong Tibetan, who believes in the importance of her faith, culture, heritage and the people of Tibet. Her strength and courage to survive 25 years imprisonment, then to continue the journey to "Free Tibet", make this read a must for all. This remarkable story of courage and survival will create in you an awareness of the injustices dealt to the people of Tibet over a long period of time, with little support from the outside world.
December 21, 2012
This book was one of the few I have been assigned for class where I stayed up late reading it, not because of a deadline, but because I just couldn't stop reading. Ani Pachen does a great job depicting the juxtaposition between the climate of Tibet before and after China's invasion. One thing to note is that Ani Pachen clearly comes from a privileged Tibetan family, which means her story may vary markedly from a servant family within Tibet.
September 24, 2010
Insight into life in Tibet before and after China's land grab. The main character tells her life as it happened. Fascinating, and the timeframe got to me. I couldn't help comparing what I was doing during the times of her trials and triumphs. I appreciate the exposure to another culture and spiritual growth at such a basic, revealing level.
April 8, 2008
An inspiring and true account of one woman's life during the Chinese communist invasion into Tibet in the 1950s. It simultaneously incites anger and tenderness within the reader....couldn't put it down once I began the story.
June 30, 2008
Excellent reading. Lots to learn about a country that we seldom hear about. The 20 years she was a prisoner of the Chinese was amazing that she survived. Her belief held her together through torture that we in the U.S probably could not stand up to.
May 5, 2012
Amazing story of strength and faith against unimaginable suffering. A window into Tibetan life before and the changes due to the Chinese occupation.
My Tibet book for 2012 Around the World in 52 Books Challenge.
My Tibet book for 2012 Around the World in 52 Books Challenge.
December 16, 2012
An incredibly moving story of a Tibetan Nun who endured 25 of torture in the Chinese Jails fighting for Tibet and her rights to practice Buddhism. I have read this books 3 times and each time I walk away feeling inspired. It is a must read!
September 11, 2008
Great read!
July 19, 2011
Beautiful book, very inspiring!
April 29, 2012
A very moving story of an incredible Tibetan Nun - amazing story!
October 6, 2012
Very powerful story, beautifully written. It brought tears to my eyes all the time. May the pains and sufferings be lifted from her nation and may her achieve the ultimate freedom.
December 3, 2012
A pretty easy read but very interesting.
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May 11, 2015Excellent!
March 21, 2016
A fascinating look at Tibet before and during China's takeover of it. Imagine growing up trained in mindfulness and meditation!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews