Religion And Politics In Tibet

This book analyzes the religious-political culture of the Tibetan Empire (c. 620-842) and the establishment of Buddhism, based on early sources. It shows how relationships formed in the Imperial period underlie many of the unique characteristics of traditional Tibetan Buddhism.

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"This catalog is published in conjunction with the exhibition Faith and Empire: Art and Politics in Tibetan Buddhism, organized and presented by the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, February 1-July 15, 2019, and curated by Karl Debreczeny, Senior Curator, Collections and Research, with the assistance of Lizzie Doorly"--Colophon.

Following the upheavals of the Cultural Revolution, the People's Republic of China gradually permitted the renewal of religious activity. Tibetans, whose traditional religious and cultural institutions had been decimated during the preceding two decades, took advantage of the decisions of 1978 to begin a Buddhist renewal that is one of the most extensive and dramatic examples of religious revitalization in contemporary China. The nature of that revival is the focus of this book.

Man's destiny has been shaped by two dominant and hostile forces-war and love. Throughout the ages people have been asking, how to prevent wars? The answer has always evaded them. Yet the people of the hidden land of Tibet found it. This happened when Buddhism gained sway over Tibet. Centuries ago, before Buddhism reached Tibet, the Tibetans were followers of a nature worshipping religion called upon by them. Then they were warlike and aggressive. They carried their swords to Mongolia, China, Turkistan, India and Burma. Buddhism came, slowly there was a change of heart in people and war lost all its fascination. Sir Charles Bell's The Religion of Tibet treats this enchanting theme. It does it in two parts: How it came, and how it ruled. The author has consulted hitherto unknown Chinese and Tibetan sources, in addition to the known works on Tibet. His nineteen years residence in Tibet gave him an opportunity to consult the most authoritative people in Tibet regarding his subject. The result of all his infatiguable labour is this wonderful book. A book for all statesmen, philosophers and students of religion.

Tibet, the Himalayan State, had been in controversy between India and China. India has always looked upon Tibet as an autonomous buffer state. The Chinese thrust in 1950 took India almost unawares and this was serious warning to the Indian government. The Dalai Lama s flight to India along with numerous Tibetans became Nehru s problem. The Indo-China war resulted into a serious debacle for our armed forces and this led to the China s occupation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama, well-settled in India, sought the support of the United Nations as well as goodwill of other powers to regain his political status. The theme is well-weaved into 14 Chapters and problems have been dealt with comprehensively.