- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group); New edition edition (2 April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553811959
- ISBN-13: 978-0553811957
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.6 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 682,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The tragedy that has befallen Tibet and its people over the past 50 years is easy to quantify, with the loss of several million lives and the wholesale destruction of the culture and natural resources in the name of "liberation". Yet the devastating reality of these events is better understood through the harrowing stories told by various refugees such as Ani Pachen. The story of her life is vividly recounted by Adelaide Donnelley in Sorrow Mountain, tracing the invasion and devastation of Tibet by the Chinese from the 50s down to the present-day as experienced by one very brave woman.
Ani Pachen vividly describes the peaceful traditional Tibetan way of life she knew during her youth even though the dark clouds of impending disaster were gathering in the east. She brings to life the valiant yet futile attempts by poorly equipped Tibetan fighters to drive back the Communist army, a fight in which she also took part until her capture and subsequent imprisonment.
She endured over 21 years of extreme brutality in prison, sustained only by her passionate faith in Buddhism and trust in the Dalai Lama. With a nobility of spirit that puts her jailers to shame, she was still able to pray, "let my pain take the place of others' suffering" while being tortured repeatedly. When she was finally released, with her spirit unbroken, she remained for a while in Lhasa, taking part in the freedom demonstrations of the 80s at great personal risk, before finally escaping to India where she recounted this story of her life. --Stephen Hodge --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
A first-person account of the invasion of Tibet, Ani Pachen's story picks up where Heinrich Harrer's "Seven Year in Tibet" leaves off. A memoir which recalls the author's childhood in Tibet as the daughter of a local Chieftan and the tragic day her father died when the Chinese invaded destroying its Buddhist culture and heritage. Although in training to be a nun, Ani Pachen lead a resistance movement against the Chinese that resulted in her imprisonment and torture for 21 years. On her release she fled across the Himalayas to India and the Dalai Lama in Dharamasala where she now lives.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book tells one woman's tale of spiritual and physical survival through China's invasion of Tibet and her subsequent years of imprisonment. It is a moving account, from Ani Pachen's happy childhood, her attempts to lead her village in defiance against the Chinese and her years of imprisonment and torture and finally her freedom her story is compelling. It graphically brings to life an episode of recent history to many who may not be aware of this tragedy other than as an event.
Format:Hardcover
Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun This is probably the most compelling and thought provoking book I have read. It tells an incredible story beautifully...but with no frills. It doesn't try to persuade the reader of anything, but details one woman's struggle and strength whilst informing the reader about the terrible times faced by all Tibetans during the last 50 years. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
One woman's spiritual strength . . . Eternal hope for Tibet
4 Feb 2010
Format:Hardcover
An incredible, real-life story of a young woman born in Tibet in 1933, the only daughter of a powerful Khampa chieftan, in the years prior to China's takeover of their country. When the Chinese invaded their land, and her father died, Ani Pachen took over and led her people in the fight for their homeland, their spiritual beliefs, their culture, and their lives. It's a gut-wrenching story. This very spiritual person, from a good family with all the material possessions of the world, was captured in 1960 and imprisoned for 21 years enduring almost constant torture.
It was her spiritual faith and courage that inspired me the most while reading this book. "When our time comes, each of us dies. There is nothing we can do," she explains.
After a particularly brutal beating at the hands of the Chinese thugs, she reminded herself of the teachings from one of her mentors, Gyalsay Rinpoche: "Regard everything as though it is a dream. Everything is ephemeral, ungovernable, and hollow. Work with the essential nature of your mind, pure and radiant. Keep your mind clear and aware in each moment."
"All activity should be done with one intention. To help, and not harm, others. Be gentle, be kind, be compassionate, be generous to everyone including yourself."
I just now found this book a full ten years after it was published (in 2000). It's an incredible read, an incredible story. When I looked up Ani Pachen on the web, sadly, discovered she passed away in 2002. It is a very short time we have each been given in this lifetime. I lift up my prayers for all the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, and the Chinese government. Ani Pachen demonstrated true love and compassion for all of these and this book motivates me to do the same. . . . Om Mani Peme Hum, Oh Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus, protect all sentient beings.
It was her spiritual faith and courage that inspired me the most while reading this book. "When our time comes, each of us dies. There is nothing we can do," she explains.
After a particularly brutal beating at the hands of the Chinese thugs, she reminded herself of the teachings from one of her mentors, Gyalsay Rinpoche: "Regard everything as though it is a dream. Everything is ephemeral, ungovernable, and hollow. Work with the essential nature of your mind, pure and radiant. Keep your mind clear and aware in each moment."
"All activity should be done with one intention. To help, and not harm, others. Be gentle, be kind, be compassionate, be generous to everyone including yourself."
I just now found this book a full ten years after it was published (in 2000). It's an incredible read, an incredible story. When I looked up Ani Pachen on the web, sadly, discovered she passed away in 2002. It is a very short time we have each been given in this lifetime. I lift up my prayers for all the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, and the Chinese government. Ani Pachen demonstrated true love and compassion for all of these and this book motivates me to do the same. . . . Om Mani Peme Hum, Oh Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus, protect all sentient beings.
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