Dalai Lama (ePub)

The firstdefinitive biography of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual leader-astory by turns inspiring, surprising-from an acclaimed Tibetan scholar.

The Dalai Lama'smessage of peace and compassion resonates with people of all faiths and none.Yet, for all his worldwide fame,he remains personally elusive. Now, Alexander Norman, acclaimed Oxford-trained scholar of the history of Tibet,delivers the definitive biography-unique, multilayered,and at times even shocking.



The Dalai Lamailluminatesan astonishingodyssey from isolated Tibetan village to worldwide standing asspiritual and political leader ofone of the world's most profound and complexcultural traditions. Norman reveals that, while the Dalai Lamahas never been comfortable with his political position, he has been a canny player-at one time CIA-backed-who hasmaneuvered amidstpervasive violence, includingplacing himself at the center ofa dangerous Buddhist schism. Yet even more surprising than the political, Norman convinces, is the Dalai Lama's astonishing spiritual practice, rooted in magic,vision, and prophecy-details of which areilluminated in this book for the first time.

A revelatory life story ofone of today'smost radical,charismatic, and beloved world leaders.

"Impressive in its clarity ... this biography [is] the most detailed and accurate to date."-The New York Times Book Review

"His supple prose, often beautiful, is as adept at explaining Tibet's theology as it is at describing its spiritual world."-The Wall Street Journal

"[Norman] brings well-grounded authority to his portrayal of a figure revered throughout the world for his joyfulness, generosity, and compassion." -KirkusReviews