From book publisher Penguin Books comes a manga biography, by Tetsu Saiwai, of one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.
Only two years after being born to a farming family, Lhamo Dhondup was recognized to be the incarnation of Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama. This would mark the beginning of the story of the 14th Dalai Lama, and it is a story filled with both hope and tragedy.
The 14th Dalai Lama: A Manga Biography tells the story of Tenzin Gyatso, shortened from Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, from the death of the previous Dalai Lama and Lhamo’s, Tenzin’s birth name, discovery in a small village all the way up to some of the most recent events in his storied life, such as him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The story does move rather quick early on as it is mostly the events leading up to him being appointed the Dalai Lama, his education and the so-called emancipation of Tibet from foreign imperialists influence by China. Most of the story prior to this point is light-hearted and fun, but after the invasion it takes a much more serious tone, as it should.
The 14th Dalai Lama did his best early on to work with China in order to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed, but no matter how hard he tried there was just too much hate to stop it. He eventually went into exile in India in the hopes that it would spare his people from experiencing even more death. There he relocated the exiled Tibetan administration to Dharamsala and to this day continues to travel and promote peace throughout the world and even continues to try and open negotiations with the Chinese government to bring peace to Asia.
The art is done fairly well, while not amazing it is still detailed very well and the text is clear and easy to read. It would seem difficult to fit someone’s entire life into a manga that only spans 208 pages and with most of it being images instead of text it would only add to the difficulty, but Saiwai does a great job of telling the Dalai Lama’s story. I’m sure that some events were left out, but many of the key events as well as his message of peace get across very well to the reader.
The cover of the manga depicts the young Dalai Lama and on the back is a quote from his Holiness, ”Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred”. While a little on the simple side this is actually still a nice paperback design.
This is definitely a manga worth reading as many people know of Tenzin Gyatso, but few really know his story, aside from watching Seven Years in Tibet, and the hardships that he and his people went through over the years. This manga biography serves as a great gateway to learning about him and will help readers gain an interest in the spiritual leader, which may lead to them reading more books related to him and his cause of non-violence to return the country of Tibet back to its people as well as his five-point peace plan.
For those younger readers out there that would like to read a historically based manga that is both entertaining and educational this is surely a manga worth looking into.
Score
3.5 out of 5
(A review copy of this manga was provided by Penguin Books.)
The 14th Dalai Lama: A Manga Biography
Published by: Penguin Books
Illustrations by: Tetsu Saiwai
Story by: Tetsu Saiwai
Pages: 208
Available Now
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