The Dalai Lama's Special Envoy

Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari penned a masterful exposition of His Holiness' vision of Tibet and nine rounds of dialogue with China. He brilliantly details his life's journey, provides extraordinary insights into his exchanges with governments, and posits cogent recommendations for all stakeholders to secure genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people-Lodi's life work and dedication. -- Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, former under secretary of state for global affairs and Tibet coordinator, 2001-2009 This is a must-read book for anyone interested in Tibet. For years I followed and assisted the discreet efforts of the Dalai Lama's wonderful special envoy Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari in his quest to open a trusted dialogue with Beijing. There was no lack of trying, but the secret backchannel did not, in the end, succeed to establish the mutual trust that could lead to talks to end a generation of tension and exile. But the heroic efforts of Gyari and his team described in this book can form the basis for future efforts. -- Jan Egeland, former state secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari has written a fascinating account of a remarkable life, or should I say incarnation, dedicated to the service of Tibet. His account combines personal reminiscence, an insider's account of the modern history of Tibet, and an examination of his role in negotiating with the People's Republic of China on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Living through this particularly troubled and turbulent phase of Tibet's history, Gyari shows remarkable composure, objectivity, and lack of malice toward those whom he encountered, many of whom harmed or made difficult the preservation of Tibetan culture and the transmission of Tibetan Buddhism. The book is an evocative history of a vanished time. At the same time, what it says about the fate and future of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism is topical and relevant when Tibet once again faces forks in the road ahead. This is a book for anyone with an interest in Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, the diplomacy and minority policy of the People's Republic of China, or in the sheer power and strength of the human spirit when faced with adversity. I trust that it will find a wide audience and strongly recommend it. -- Shivshankar Menon, former national security adviser to the Prime Minister of India The Dalai Lama's Special Envoy is the story of one of Tibet's most extraordinary diplomats, who was at the center of the Dalai Lama's and the Tibetan government's efforts to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict caused by Communist China's brutal invasion of Tibet and the Tibetan people's struggle for survival. This unprecedented insider's record of high-level politics, diplomacy, and negotiation is a must-read for government officials and anyone else interested in Asia. -- Michael van Walt van Praag, coauthor of <i>Tibet Brief 20/20</i> For all those who wish for reconciliation between the Dalai Lama and China, this is a most important book to read. Lodi Gyari wrote it in order for both sides to learn from the mistakes and misunderstandings of the past. He rushed to complete it when he found out that he was ill and did not have much time left. Lodi Gyari described himself as radical in his youth. As special envoy for many years, he was a realist. He kept true his loyalty to the Dalai Lama. He was an enlightened individual who always strove to find good in others. Over nine rounds of formal talks, Lodi Gyari earned the respect of his Chinese interlocutors. Till his last breath, he believed that, with goodwill and persistence, a solution could be found between the Dalai Lama and Beijing to safeguard fully Tibetan identity and autonomy within the framework of the People's Republic of China. The Tibetan contribution to the culture and philosophy of the Chinese nation is profound. All the placards on buildings in Beijing's Forbidden City include Tibetan as an integral language. Tibetan threads greatly enrich the Chinese tapestry. -- George Yeo, former foreign minister of Singapore