Freedom in Exile: A Review of the Dalai Lama's Memoir

Introduction

This is a review of Freedom in Exile, also known as The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama. The account was published in 1991 and covers the life of the fourteenth Dalai Lama from his birth in 1935 in the village of Takster, Dokham, through his recognition as the fourteenth Dalai Lama at the age of two, his move to Central Tibet, the occupation by the People's Republic of China in the 1950s, his flight into exile in India in 1959, and the life he led thereafter. The autobiography offers the reader an exciting and often surprising account of the monk's life and philosophies while in exile. It reveals that his life was far from simple.

In his preamble, the Dalai Lama makes clear his motivation for sharing the story of his life. He describes himself as a simple monk who has decided to recount his experiences for readers. He points out that the autobiography is not about Buddhism as a religion, and he identifies two fundamental reasons for writing it: a growing public interest in learning about the Dalai Lama, and a desire to demystify certain historical events (xiii).

Overview of the Autobiography

By 1991, when Freedom in Exile was published, the Dalai Lama had already lived in exile for thirty years since leaving his home in Tibet, by then a Chinese-controlled territory. He had earned considerable respect both locally and internationally for his persistent advocacy on behalf of his people. The Chinese authorities had been cast in a negative light internationally, public interest in the Dalai Lama's life and the plight of Tibetans had grown substantially, and he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The book, he explains, seeks to satisfy the curiosity of his committed followers while also addressing claims made by the Chinese government. It should be noted that this is not an anti-Chinese expose. Rather, it is a personal glimpse into the life of a self-described "simple monk" whose life has been anything but ordinary.

The Dalai Lama's memoir is structured chronologically and divided into two parts. The first addresses his life before exile in 1959. It covers his early years as Lhamo Dhondrub in Takster, Dokham, before he was installed as the fourteenth Dalai Lama; his recognition in 1937; his spiritual education and training in Lhasa; the Chinese invasion; his appeals to the international community that went unheeded; and his eventual flight into exile. The second part describes the lives of Tibetans as refugees in the Indian state, his interactions with politicians, religious leaders, and prominent figures around the world, and his philosophies on a range of subjects. He also outlines his vision for the future of Tibet, expressing a hope that it might one day become the world's largest nature reserve and a hub of peace.

Freedom in Exile is regarded as historically important for several reasons. It is the Dalai Lama's second autobiographical account; his first, My Land and My People, was published in 1962, shortly after he went into exile, and covers only the first portion of his life up to that point. Freedom in Exile is particularly significant because it accounts for his life both before and after exile.

Historical Significance and Scope

It is important to note that Freedom in Exile should not be read merely as a summary of the earlier account. Although the second autobiography omits many details of international diplomacy treated in the first, it approaches the monk's life from a fresh perspective, emphasizing his identity as a simple monk. A critic might view this self-description as understated, given the intricate and far-reaching nature of his life. He traversed the globe to lay a foundation for the future of his homeland and his story was even the inspiration behind the feature film Kundun.

Freedom in Exile also seizes the opportunity to illustrate the Dalai Lama's humanity. For instance, he notes that when contemplating leaving Tibet, he considered resigning from his religious post in order to avoid direct conflict with the Chinese (125). This is one of many examples the autobiography uses to demonstrate the deeply human dimensions of his character. Those interested in the historical background of Tibet and its political status will find the memoir a valuable primary source.

The Dalai Lama uses Freedom in Exile to disclose his emotions and aspects of his personality, as well as to share his thoughts and philosophies on a range of topics, including Western society, the future of Tibet, and Marxism. One of the more striking observations he makes about Western society is that, despite their material prosperity and the density of their human communities, many Westerners are only able to show love and compassion to cats and dogs — a comment that hints at the absence of deeper spiritual values (199).

Conclusion

The autobiography is but a single example of the monk's view of the world. It is a significant pointer to the fact that it is a unique and personal memoir. It is an exciting, refreshing, and thoughtful work by the leader of Tibet — a man forced to seek freedom outside his homeland. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, the Dalai Lama narrates his experiences with precise detail. He conveys what it means and feels like to be the living reincarnation of the Dalai Lama — the secular and religious leader of the Tibetan people.