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

A very unvarnished presentation of years of turbulence and faith.

Robert Thurman is the west rainbow soul of Tibetan Buddhist civilization; and his three avatars (Bob, Professor Robert Thurman, Tenzin Chotrag Rinpoche) together with his co-authors and illustrators have produced an extraordinary work of history, biography and ethnography. It is the complete story of a self-described “simple Buddhist monk” and the struggle for survival of Tibetan culture. The book is an elegant, profound and accessible work of scholarship and artistry.As the retold story of Buddha often ends with his enlightenment, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s ends with his escape through the Himalayas as Chinese artillery shelled his Norbulingka home in Lhasa. For both Buddha and Lama, however, it is what they accomplished after those seminal events that constitute their real gifts to the world.The book reveals the Great Fourteenth’s village childhood, his identification as the next Dalai Lama, and his assumption of those overwhelming responsibilities at age 15. It covers China’s invasion of Tibet, Tibetan resistance, CIA’s covert insurgency training until betrayed by ping-pong diplomacy, and the delicate balancing act of the Tibetan Government in Exile in the cross-currents of international politics and avarice.The real treat is the fleshed-out character of the Dalai Lama after fleeing his homeland. Bob’s 53-year friendship provides intimate details of His Holiness’ agony, indecision, nightmares and occasional guilt suffered in the process. Professor Thurman’s penetrating craft as a scholar and educator contextualizes His Holiness’ indomitable fortitude and courage in seeking peace through Middle-Way compromises through a brutal generation of ethnocide and ecocide against Tibetan culture and environment. Tenzin Rinpoche’s brilliant and innate understanding of Tibetan Buddhism explicates, for example, the esoteric and transformative Kalachakra practice, Wheel of Life, visualization, mantra and compassion teachings.The presentation and formatting is a delight including chapter divides of gao-box/amulet designs with illustrated table-of-contents, hardcover front and back embossed with the vajra and bell symbols of compassion and wisdom, the twin guides along the Buddhist Path.Note: The prose contains occasional (thought-provoking) Thurman-isms; e.g., Kalachakra as “Time Machine Buddha,” “evolutionary” karma, Chakrasamvara as “Super Bliss Machine,” and “bliss-void indivisible.” There are quotes of President Nixon’s explicitly racist remarks, and some horrific images of Chinese army and Red Guards’ atrocities against Tibetans.After a complete read, I recommend several quick, focused scans: banner scan, cultural/landscape scan and iconography scan. Snippets of the Dalai Lama’s annual State of the Nation speeches appearing as page banners summarize the history of nuanced, pragmatic modifications of his position on the Tibet-China relationship seeking mutually-agreeable resolution (including compromises on independence, sovereignty, secular leadership, boundaries and non-religious activities). These are uniformly rejected by the Chinese who emulate the “gunboat diplomacy,” “unequal treaties” and imperialism/colonialism once inflicted upon them. Yet the Dalai Lama remains determinedly hopeful of finding an end to the suffering of the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.The book’s transporting artwork offers an informative cultural/landscape tour de force. Scan just the images portraying the geography (majestic expanse of the Himalayan kingdom and its pilgrimage sites like Mt. Kailash), environment (fertile valleys, arid wastelands, glacial snow peaks), architecture (monasteries, stupas, palaces), peoples (Tibetan, Indian, Central Asian, Chinese), and personages (Buddha, Milarepa, Tsong Khappa, Dalai Lamas, oracles, contemporary world leaders).Finally, scan only the Tibetan Buddhism iconography: buddhas, bodhisattvas, yidams and their maṇḍala cosmograms, beginning with the cover-art portrayal of His Holiness embodying an emanation the Bodhisattva of Compassion with 11 heads and 1,000 arms to see and offer help wherever, to whomsoever and however needed to alleviate suffering of all beings. The knowledgeable will appreciate the detailed accuracy of the imagery (colors, expressions, heads, arms, feet, implements, postures, garments, headdresses and adornments). Those perhaps drawn by the exotica may be encouraged to explore the source, function, meaning and deeper meaning of these representations.Man of Peace ultimately helps us realize what is at risk is not just the loss of Tibetan culture but the loss of the light of liberation for all beings.

I was incredibly impressed by the gorgeous art in this book. The illustrations are stunning and do a great job of respecting the Tibetan sacred art tradition. The dramatized story of the Dalai Lama's life is really compelling and the authors did an amazing job using the comic format to tell it. I'm not much of a comics person but I really loved this book and felt so inspired after reading it.

This book feels like you're holding a treasure trove, well because you are. I am blown away by how much went into making this book, from the detailed history of H.H. The Dalai Lama, and many harrowing historical and cultural events within Tibet that I didn't know, to gaining an even deeper teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, that can and should apply to all people, all with absolutely breathtaking illustrations in graphic novel format. Absolutely brilliant job. I have decided this is what I am buying for all my loved ones for birthdays and Christmas, because who wouldn't be totally blessed and stoked to be able to learn and be completely encouraged, moved, and inspired to follow in the footsteps of the Dalai Lama, and receive compassionate wisdom transmissions with this incredibly engaging, fun, spiritually rich and gorgeous to read book? Big respect to authors Professor Bob Thurman, William Meyers, and Michael Burbank and of course the incredibly gifted illustrators who have made this book an absolute gem. I can't say I have ever so highly recommended a book like Man Of Peace!

Spread the word--give MAN OF PEACE to as many friends and organizations as you can. No one can read this epic graphic novel and not be motivated to speak out and speak up on behalf of world peace, the environment and the importance of hope for all worthwhile endeavors. Using the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, MAN OF PEACE stunningly conveys the history, culture and spirit that is Tibet and its people. Tibet's many riches are contrasted with the too long and tortured reality of political oppression that Tibet has had to endure from outside its borders. Superbly illustrated, the true drama is His Holiness the Dalai Lama seeking to find a response to the tragedies of occupation that are both effective and congruent with Buddhist philosophy. Although a call to action on behalf of all who are oppressed and, specifically Tibet, MAN OF PEACE is a biography, a teaching about human nature and a meditation on the power of compassion in an appealing and compelling format. A collaborative effort by its authors, MAN OF PEACE is a remarkable declaration of the power of truth.

Man of Peace offers a detailed account of the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, from his earliest childhood to his harrowing escape into exile from the armies of Communist China, to his current status as an inspirational figure for world leaders and ordinary people alike. His story is told through the medium of graphic narration, which combines photographically realistic illustrations with gorgeous design elements that reflect the rich visual culture of Tibetan Buddhism. This wonderful book also explores the place of the Dalai Lama within the context of Tibetan history as well as within the international struggles between the great powers in the second half of the 20th Century and into the current century. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to expand their knowledge of the world we live in, or of the path of compassion and non-violence that the Dalai Lama has remained committed to throughout his life.

The recent story of Tibet and the latest Dalai Lama. Im learning a lot and enjoying the colourfull pages e great drawings.A must have.I have the kindle version.

I heard about this book through Bob thurman in one of his talks. I thought this would be a light read because of its comic book/ graphic novel nature. However, this book graphically covers the intermingling of Dalai Lama's spiritual & political life with world events, the history and the plight of Tibetian people and the relevant geopolitics with sufficient details. When one realizes what's depicted in the book actually happened, its difficult not to get teary eyed. The best part is, they haven't sugar coated the violence and the misery. Overall, a dense yet engrossing read for adults. Highly recommended!

This is a really beautiful book. Lovingly prepared and detailed on the Dalai Lama's life story. I don't normally buy graphic novels but this is really worth buying.My only minor quibble was the prominence of Robert Thurman in the story. It seemed to suggest that meeting Robert Thurman was one of the key parts of the Dalai Lama's life, which I found slightly hard to believe, and given that Thurman is part of the production of this book I found his prominence in the story slightly questionable! Otherwise a fantastic book though.

Beautiful book- Great biography of one of the most salient spiritual figures of the 20th-21st centuries. Attractive comic book style.

Das Buch hat mich vom ersten Moment gefesselt, so spannend geschrieben und trotzdem viele neue Informationen über das tragische Schicksal der Tibeter. Einzigartig wie der Dalai Lama seine Lehre lebt. Ich kann es jedem weiterempfehlen.