SUGGESTED SOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
Ama
Adhe: The Voice That Remembers
By Adhe Tapontsang The autobiography of an extraordinary Tibetan
woman who survived 27 years in Chinese labor camps for resisting
the occupation of her homeland with remarkable courage and
strength. Since leaving Tibet in 1987, she has become an international
spokeswoman for the Tibetan struggle and champion for human
rights everywhere. Paper. 258 Pages. Wisdom, 1998.
The
Anguish of Tibet
Edited by Petra Kelly, Gert Bastian, and Pat Aiello An important
collection of 24 essays, articles, and speeches, on the current
Tibetan situation, with a blend of Tibetan and non-Tibetan
scholars, political leaders and activists speaking about Tibetan
history, the Chinese occupation, the issue of independence,
human rights, environmental issues and political initiatives.
Includes appendices of primary source documents from Treaties
to UN Resolutions. Paper. 382 Pages. Parallax Press, 1991.
Approaching
Tibetan Studies: A Resource Handbook for Educators
By Jon Garfunkel and Tibet Education Network. An extensive
collection of curricular and resource materials produced for
teaching in K-12 and adult education. Included in the packet:
why teach & learn about Tibet, curricular ideas for Tibetan
studies, essential questions, maps, facts, historical timeline,
suggested bibliographies, videography, resource information,
on-line resources, and ideas for broadening one's Tibetan
experience. Paper. 53 Pages. Tibet Education Network at Global
Source, 1999.
The
Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk
By
Palden Gyatso. The remarkable story of a Tibetan monk who
spent 25 years in a Chinese prison enduring incredible hardship
and suffering for the strength of his beliefs. He leaves prison
in 1992 with the tools of torture used to interrogate him,
which he smuggles out of Tibet to help tell the world his
story. A compelling biography of the resilience of the human
spirit. Paper. 232 Pages. Grove Press, 1997.
Bearing
Witness: A Zen Master's Lessons in Making Peace
By Bernie Glassman. A powerful story about the experience
of bearing witness and making peace one moment at a time.
The author, who founded the Zen Peacemaker Order, describes
leading retreats at Auschwitz and on the streets of New York
City. He explains the practice of engaged spirituality and
lessons learned that we all can apply to our lives. Paper.
213 Pages. Bell Tower, 1998.
The
Buddhist Handbook
By John Snelling. A comprehensive survey of Buddhist teachings,
history, schools, practice and resources. Recommended as preparation
reading for educators and as course material for students.
Paper. 337 Pages. Inner Traditions, 1991.
Buddhist
Symbols in Tibetan Culture
By Dagyab Rinpoche. An authoritative investigation, with brief
commentaries, on the nine best-known groups of symbols in
Tibetan culture. An excellent reference source for studying
Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan religious art. Paper. 147 Pages.
Wisdom, 1995.
A Cultural
History of Tibet
By
David Snellgrove & Hugh Richardson. Widely considered an authoritative,
thorough overview of Tibetan civilization, commonly used as
a college text. Hugh Richardson, one of the authors, was a
British diplomat in Tibet between 1936-50. With maps, charts,
and b & w photos. This book is out of print. Cloth.. 279 Pages.
Praeger, 1968.
Cultural
Survival: The Home-School Connection for Tibetan Youth in
North America:
A Case Study on Education, Cultural Identity and Community
By Jon Garfunkel and the
North American Tibetan Community Cultural Needs Assessment
Project. Tibet Education Network at Global
Source partnered with the Conservancy for Tibetan Art and
Culture (CTAC) on a first of its kind research project. You
will find the report on CTAC's website: www.TibetanCulture.org
Demystifying
Tibet: Unlocking the Secrets of the Land of Snows
By Lee Feigon. An authoritative overview of Tibetan civilization
and history, examining the global perspectives which have
shaped our image of Tibet. Written by a professor of East
Asian Studies, with detailed footnotes. Recommended as a text
for high school and college courses. Paper. 241 Pages. Ivan
Dee, 1996.
The
Dragon in the Land of Snows : A History of Modern Tibet Since
1947
By Tsering Shakya This thoroughly researched history, based
entirely on unpublished primary sources, examines Tibet from
the beginning of the Chinese occupation through the present.
It offers many first accounts of political details on all
sides of the Tibet-China conflict, and helps the reader examines
the realities of the Tibetan situation. This scholarly work
adds an important contemporary Tibetan voice to the current
English version histories of Modern Tibet. The author was
born in Tibet and attended the School of Oriental and African
Studies where he is currently a research fellow in Tibetan
Studies. Cloth. 574 Pages. Columbia U. Press, 1999
Ethics
for the New Millenium
By His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama discusses a
Buddhist view of ethics with a universal lens for addressing
global issues in the next century and beyond. This book is
a great pathway to engage a dialogue in any classroom or educational
circle about the human condition and what it takes to cultivate
humanity in a global society, from one who is felt by many
to be one of our greatest models. Its no accident this book
was a NY Times Bestseller for months. Cloth. 237 Pages.
Feminine
Ground: Essays on Women & Tibet
Edited by Janice Willis. A collection of essays by scholars
that explore women issues and female role models in ancient
and contemporary Tibet. Paper. 164 Pages. Snow Lion, 1989.
Freedom
in Exile: The Autobiography of The Dalai Lama
By Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama. The later autobiography
of The Dalai Lama documenting his remarkable life from childhood
through the 1980Õs. Full of engaging personal reflections,
historical accounts, meetings with world leaders, and the
spiritual strength that has kept him focused on his responsibilities
as a religious and political leader campaigning to regain
his homeland. Paper. 271 Pages. HarperCollins, 1990.
In
Exile from the Land of Snows
By John Avedon. Considered a primer on the current Tibetan
situation, recounting the modern history of Tibet from 1933
through the Chinese invasion, the exile of The Dalai Lama
and the evolution of the contemporary Tibetan Diaspora. With
chapters on the Tibetan resistance movement, Tibetan medicine,
and Tibet's Chief Oracle. This updated edition contains a
useful timeline and an in-depth interview with The Dalai Lama.
Recommended as a text for high school students. Paper. 456
Pages. HarperCollins, 1997.
In The Footsteps of Gandhi: Conversations with Spiritual
Social Activists
By Catherine Ingram. Twelve interviews with a variety of inspirational
leaders, including The Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Cesar Chavez,
Joanna Macy, Ram Dass, Joan Baez and Gary Snyder. A great
source of wisdom to help examine issues of social justice
and social responsibility. Paper. 284 Pages. Parallax Press,
1990.
Inner
Revolution: Life Liberty, and the Pursuit of Real Happiness
By Robert Thurman. One of the leading scholars of Tibetan
Buddhism examines the how the social movement of Buddhism
and establishment of monastic institutions, or "enlightenment
factories", transformed ancient India, and then Tibet, from
warrior to wisdom societies. Through this exploration of the
history of civilization, Thurman presents a model for transforming
contemporary society. Paper. 322 Pages. Riverhead Books, 1998.
The
Life of Milarepa
Translated by Lobsang Lhalungpa. The classic biography of
a revered Buddhist yogi who lived in Tibet during the 11th
century. This tale of spiritual life has served model for
contemplative life. Translated by a well-respected Tibetan
scholar into a simple modern English that reflects the power
of the original text. Paper. 220 Pages. Penguin Arkana, 1992.
The
Mystical Arts of Tibet
By Glenn Mullin & Andy Weber. A survey and exhibition of Tibetan
arts. Part One introduces the reader to Tibet, Buddhism, and
themes in Tibet art, followed by chapters on creating sacred
images, sand painting, and sacred music and dance. Part Two
features exhibits the personal objects of The Dalai Lama and
sacred objects from the Drepung Loseling Monastery, with a
closing chapter on maintaining the traditional Tibet art forms
in exile communities of India and Nepal. A recommended source
for introducing a study of Tibetan art and connecting this
function of culture with the larger study of Tibet. Paper.
165 Pages. Longstreet Press, 1996
Open
Heart, Clear Mind
By Thubten Chodron. An introduction to Buddhist philosophy
and practice written for a western audience. The author, an
American Tibetan Buddhist Nun, offers a Buddhist approach
to daily life in clear and engaging language. Written for
those new to Buddhism and for people who have studied and
practiced for years. Includes an insightful and thought-provoking
section on working with anger. Paper. 216 Pages. Snow Lion,
1990.
Orphans
of the Cold War: America and The Tibetan Struggle for Survival
By John Kenneth Knaus. The history of the Tibetan Resistance
against Communist Chinese occupation and America's involvement
in the conflict from the 1950's through the 1970's. Knaus
is a former CIA Officer who was one of the core team for Tibet
Mission, now an associate at the Fairbanks Center for East
Asian Research at Harvard. This books makes a valuable contribution
to documenting and revealing a little known, but essential
part of modern Tibetan history. A valuable source for for
the study of American foreign policy during the Cold War years.
Paper. 395 Pages. Public Affair, 1999.
A
Portrait of Lost Tibet
Written by Rosemary Jones Tung, Photographs by Ilya Tolstoy
and Brooke Dolan. A thematic view of traditional Tibetan society
and culture prior to 1949, with 131 black and white photographs
from Americans on an official visit to Tibet during the early
1940's. Recommended for those studying Tibetan civilization.
You can read the story of the Tolsoy-Dolan expedition in "Across
Tibet from India to China", National Geographic, August 1946.
Paper. 224 Pages. U. California Press, 1980.
Prisoners
of Shangri-la: Tibetan Buddhism and the West
By Donald Lopez. A cultural history of the encounter between
Tibetan Buddhism and the West, exploring the western imagination
which has been captured by the ancient culture, wisdom, and
exotic nature of Tibet. This well-respected Tibetan Buddhist
scholar argues that our romantic with Tibet ultimately imprisons
those who seek the goal of Tibetan independence from Chinese
occupation. Paper. 275 Pages. U. Chicago Press, 1998.
The
Snow Lion & The Dragon: China, Tibet and The Dalai Lama
By Melvyn Goldstein. An analysis by a leading western Tibetan
scholar, of the Tibet-China relationship examining the historical
and current positions of The Dalai Lama, the Chinese government,
and western powers with a look to the future of Tibet. Paper.
145 Pages. U. California Press, 1997.
Tibet:
Enduring Spirit/Exploited Land
By Robert Apte and Andres Edwards.
A comprehensive case study of traditional Tibetan land use
and ecological wisdom, contrasted with the current, endangered
natural environment resulting from Communist Chinese rule.
Recommended as a text for high school or college. Cloth. 175
Pages. Heartsfire, 1998.
The
Tibet Guide
By Stephen Batchelor. An updated edition of the best guide
for travel in Central, Southern and Western Tibet, offering
rich detail and context for visiting monasteries, nunneries,
and other traditional Tibetan institutions. One of the few
to deal openly with contemporary issues in Tibet. Written
by a leading scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, the introductory
chapters on land and people, the history of Tibet, and Tibetan
Buddhism are thorough and informative. The appendices contain
useful information on preparing for a trip, getting to Tibet,
iconography, Tibetan language, and glossary of key terms.
Paper. 350 Pages. Wisdom, 1997.
Tibet
Outside the TAR: Control , Exploitation and Assimilation,
Development with Chinese Characteristics
By Steven Marshall and Susette Ternent Cooke. This is a thoroughly
researched, detailed educational tool for examining the demographics
and development of Tibetan areas absorbed into Chinese provinces
outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. CD ROM. Alliance for
Research in Tibet, 1997.
Tibet:
The Issue is Independence
Edited by Edward Lazar. Eight personal essays by Tibetans-in-exile
address the Tibetan issue that the world avoids. A great source
for Tibetan voices. Paper. 92 Pages. Parallax Press, 1994.
Tibet:
My Story
By
Jetsun Pema. The autobiography of The Fourteenth Dalai Lama's
younger sister. She tells of her life in Tibet before the
Chinese occupation and describes the formation of the Tibetan
exile community in Dharamsala, India. During the early years
of the Diaspora in she was given the responsibility of starting
the Tibetan Children's Village and later became the first
woman minister in the Tibetan Government in Exile. An excellent
look at the value of education in the struggle for cultural
survival. Paper. 245 Pages. Element, 1997.
The
Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
By Sogyal Rinpoche From one of the great Tibetan masters teaching
in the west, a commentary on the Tibetan view of death and
dying based on teaching s from The Tibetan Book of the Dead.
This book is a treasure of wisdom that transcends Buddhist
thought to help one come to terms with death in order to live
a more spiritually meaningful life. A New York Times Bestseller.
Paper. 425 Pages. Harper San Francisco, 1992.
Tibetan
Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan
Relations
By
Warren W. Smith, Jr. A detailed history of Tibet which offers
one of the most comprehensive accounts of Tibetan nationalism,
Sino-Tibetan relations, and the issue of Tibetan self-determination.
The author explores Tibet's ethnic and national origins, the
birth of the Tibetan state, the Buddhist state and its relations
with China, Tibet's quest for independence, and the Chinese
takeover of Tibet after 1950. The author is a well-known independent
scholar, currently working for the Tibet Service of Radio
Free Asia. Paper. 732 Pages. Westview Press, 1996.
When
the Iron Bird Flies: A Handbook on Tibetan Cultural Survival
Edited by Jon Garfunkel and the Milarepa Fund. An excellent
resource or starter library for educators and students. This
comprehensive handbook features valuable primary, secondary
and reference source material selected to introduce teachers
and students to the wealth of educationally friendly source
material reading on Tibetan civilization, Tibet under Chinese
occupation, and the future of Tibet. Binder. 261 Pages. The
Milarepa Fund, 1996. (out of print)
The
Wisdom Teachings of The Dalai Lama
Edited
by Matthew Bunson. Collected wisdom excerpted from teachings,
speeches, and writings of The Dalai Lama, organized into sections
on Buddhism, religion, human rights, non-violence, universal
responsibility, and the occupation of Tibet. Recommended as
a curricular resource. Paper. 257 Pages.
The World's Religions / The Illustrated World's Religions
By Huston Smith. A thoroughly detailed and insightful view
of the world's religions from one of the leading scholar's
of Comparative Religious Studies. Widely used as a high college
and college text. Paper. 391 Pages/255 Pages.
