Author: Erik D Curren
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 321
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788120833319
Description
Interest in Buddhism has exploded in the last couple of decades, and millions of people around the world view Tibetan Buddhism as the religion's most pure and authentic form. Yet, a political conflict among Tibetan lamas themselves is now poised to tear the Tibetan Buddhist world apart and threaten the integrity of its thousand-year old teachings.
On August 2, 1993, Rumtek monastery was attacked. Its monks were expelled and the cloister was turned over to supporters of a boy-lamas appointed by the Chinese government. But Rumtek was not in China, and its attackers were not Communist troops. Rumtek was in India, the refuge for most exiled Tibetans. And it was Tibetan lamas and monks themselves who led the siege.
Yet, evidence shows that Chinese agents directly supported Tibetan lamas and monks who attacked Rumtek monastery. While a complete picture of this controversy has been blurred by the media's focus on international Buddhist celebrities, Buddha's Not Smiling challengers Readers to Judge for themselves the health of Tibetan Buddhism today.
Contents
Cast of Characters,
Map, Preface, Introduction
1. Bayonets to Rumtek
2. The Place of Power
3. An Ancient Rivalry
4. The origin of the karmapas
5. A Lull in Hostilities
6. Exile, Death, and Dissent
7. The Traditionalist
8. The Modernizer
9. A Pretender to the Throne
10. Abortive Skirmishes
11. The Yarney Putsch
12. Under Occupation
13. Lamas on Trial
14. The Secret Boy
15. The Return of the King
16. Conclusion
Appendix A: Buddhism and the Karmapas,
Appendix B: Analysis of Original Documents,
Notes,
Bibliography,
index