The Renaissance of Tibetan Civilization - Softcover

Von Furer-Haimendorf PhD, Professor Christoph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0907791212 ISBN 13: 9780907791218

Publisher: Synergetic Press, 1990

Synopsis

The young ruler of Tibet donned the traditional garb of a Tibetan tribesman and fled on horesback to India to escape the Chinese occupation of his homeland. The 14th Dalai Lama arrived in Indiain the spring of 1959, the first and most illustrious refugee of the waves soon to pour out from the ancient ‘Forbidden Kingdom’. “The Renaissance of Tibetan Civilization” is an inspiring story of the power of courage and hope ― the story of refugees who arrived destitute at the frontiers of India and Nepal, yet a mere forty years later have managed to rebuild the essential patterns of Tibetan culture in exile as a legacy for the future. The book documents the struggle for survival and the emerging way of life of individual refugees and families, as well as there construction of religious and artistic traditions. Per Kvaerne appends an essay on the Bon religion which augments the background material necessary for understanding the ingredients of the diaspora. The forced exodus of Tibetan culture is one of the most remarkable stories of our time: how an enclosed and highly conservative community assumed global significance, in the realm of politics as well as in the realm of culture. The tragedy of Tibet has enriched the world by giving it access to the high intellectual and artistic values which gave Tibetans their sense of meaning.

About this title

About the Author:

Born in Austria , he studied anthropology at the University of Vienna and University of London. In India he began his field research with a study of the Naga tribes and extended his studies to the tribal populations of Hyderabad state, Orissa and Arunachal Pradesh.

Review:

"...a sympathetic and thorough study of the social forces and unflagging determination which have enabled Tibetan refugees to maintain their national identity, rebuild their communities and re-establish their culture...in exile following the tragedy that has taken place in their homeland." --His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"From the pen of a distinguished anthropologist, this work begins to fill a major gap in our knowledge about Tibetan civilization in the Indo-Nepal diaspora. Considering that the Tibetan question is still far from settled, it is important that people become better informed about the trials and successes of this model refugee community. I warmly recommend the work." --Robert A.F. Thurman, Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia University

About this edition

• Publisher: Synergetic Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0907791212
• ISBN 13: 9780907791218
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128