Before becoming the second socialist country in the world (after the Soviet Union) in 1921, Mongolia had been a Buddhist feudal theocracy. Combatting the influence of the dominant Buddhist establishment to win the hearts and minds of the Mongolian people was one of the most important challenges faced by the new socialist government. It would take almost a decade and a half to resolve the “lama question,” and it would be answered with brutality, destruction, and mass killings. Chris Kaplonski examines this critical, violent time in the development of Mongolia as a nation-state and its ongoing struggle for independence and recognition in the twentieth century. Unlike most studies that explore violence as the primary means by which states deal with their opponents, The Lama Question argues that the decision to resort to violence in Mongolia was not a quick one; neither was it a long-term strategy nor an out-of control escalation of orders but the outcome of a complex series of events and attempts by the government to be viewed as legitimate by the population. Kaplonski draws on a decade of research and archival resources to investigate the problematic relationships between religion and politics and geopolitics and biopolitics in early socialist Mongolia, as well as the multitude of state actions that preceded state brutality. By examining the incidents and transformations that resulted in violence and by viewing violence as a process rather than an event, his work not only challenges existing theories of political violence, but also offers another approach to the anthropology of the state. In particular, it presents an alternative model to philosopher Georgio Agamben’s theory of sovereignty and the state of exception. The Lama Question will be of interest to scholars and students of violence, the state, biopolitics, Buddhism, and socialism, as well as to those interested in the history of Mongolia and Asia in general.

For centuries, millions upon millions of people have sought out the wisdom of the Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso, the current and XIV Dalai Lama, has traveled the world, spreading his personal doctrine of compassion and understanding. His sage words resonate with all who hear him speak, encompassing topics as grand as world peace, and as simple as learning to love ourselves. Presented in a clear, elegant format, Questions for the Dalai Lama poses universal questions, giving answers from the Dalai Lama himself, assembled from quotes, articles, speeches, and written works directly attributed to His Holiness. Organized into several themes, Questions for the Dalai Lama touches on themes ranging from love, to tragedy, to compassion and happiness. Drawing on the enduring words of the His Holiness, this inspirational book makes a wonderful gift for anyone seeking greater personal happiness and a life informed by compassion and wisdom. Organized into sections and built around a simple, informal question and answer format, Questions for the Dalai Lama is easy to understand, and easy to share with friends and loved ones. “The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.” —XIV Dalai Lama

A leading Western Buddhist scholar and author of Awakening the Buddha offers a series of reflections and insights that challenge readers to develop individual, authentic responses to some of life's most provocative questions, from What is my purpose in life? to What happens after I die?

In this comprehensive book, Lama Surya Das provides a bridge between East and West, past, present and future, making sacred and profound Tibetan teachings clear and easily accessible for anyone who wants to lead a more enlightened and sane life. Utilizing the unique Buddhist guidelines embodied in the Noble Eight Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings of Virtue, Meditation and Wisdom, he elucidates the tried and true path of spiritual transformation - including key principles such as karma, rebirth and mind-training, as well as the highest, most secret teaching of Tibet, Dzogchen. In this wonderful marriage of the practical and the profound, Lama Surya Das reveals how sacred wisdom can be integrated into our busy lives. He offers a unique approach to the comprehensive wisdom of ancient Tibetan teachings on conscious living and dying and shows that the power of the Buddha is resting within us all. Drawing on Buddhist spirituality and wisdom, this is a view of the world written for Western seekers.

Since 1959, Tibet has been at the centre of controversy, after China's 'peaceful liberation' of the Land of Snows led to the Lhasa uprising and the Dalai Lama's escape to India. This work brings together responses to a booklet published by the Chinese government in 1989, which sought to counter criticism of their occupation of Tibet.

Inspirational quotes and relatable Buddhist advice from the Dalai Lama—now in one handy, giftable compendium. Discover words of wisdom on 15 universal themes, including love and compassion, mindfulness and happiness, and much more. The words of the Dalai Lama resonate within each of us, empowered as they are by centuries of experience and a passionate, enduring spirit for peace on Earth. Tenzin Gyatso, the current and XIV Dalai Lama, has continued this grand legacy—traveling the world while spreading his personal doctrine of compassion and true understanding. Presented in a trim format for daily, on-the-go reference, The Dalai Lama Book of Quotes collects the very best of the Lama’s sage wisdom from quotes, articles, speeches, and written works. All quotes are organized into 15 sections covering universal themes: • Love • Mindfulness • Compassion • Happiness • Spirituality • Religion • Buddhism • Humanity • Making a Difference • Community • Peace • Wisdom • Disagreements • Emotions & Health Simple and accessible for all ages, this inspirational quotes book makes a great gift for anyone seeking to incorporate the wisdom of the ages—and a love that transcends lifetimes—into their daily life.

This story, drawn from old Tibetan folk tales, has the psychological depth of a western novel. It is a love story woven around the search for the missing reincarnation of a great Lama. Along the way we glimpse a people whose spirituality is as exalted as the Himalayas. There is humor as well, when the hero encounters a bewildering group of Christian missionaries. In the depiction of Chinese culture, and the Chinese merchants of Tibet, there is a foreshadowing of the country's tragic fate.

With air pollution now intimately affecting every resident of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, Saskia Abrahms-Kavunenko seeks to understand how, as a physical constant throughout the winter months, the murky and obscuring nature of air pollution has become an active part of Mongolian religious and ritual life. Enlightenment and the Gasping City identifies air pollution as a boundary between the physical and the immaterial, showing how air pollution impresses itself on the urban environment as stagnation and blur. She explores how air pollution and related phenomena exist in dynamic tension with Buddhist ideas and practices concerning purification, revitalisation and enlightenment. By focusing on light, its intersections and its oppositions, she illuminates Buddhist practices and beliefs as they interact with the pressing urban issues of air pollution, post-socialist economic vacillations, urban development, nationalism, and climate change.

Mongolia remains a beautiful barren land of spectacularly clothed horse-riders, nomadic romance and windswept landscape. But modern Mongolia is now caught between two giants: China and Russia; and known to be home to enormous mineral resources they are keen to exploit. China is expanding economically into the region, buying up mining interests and strengthening its control over Inner Mongolia. Michael Dillon, one of the foremost experts on the region, seeks to tell the modern history of this fascinating country. He investigates its history of repression, the slaughter of the country's Buddhists, its painful experiences under Soviet rule and dictatorship, and its history of corruption. But there is hope for its future, and it now has a functioning parliamentary democracy which is broadly representative of Mongolia's ethnic mix. How long that can last is another question. Short, sharp and authoritative, Mongolia will become the standard text on the region as it becomes begins to shape world affairs.

This new review textbook, written by residents and an experienced faculty member from Cleveland Clinic, is designed to ensure success on all sorts of standardized neurology examinations. Presented in a comprehensive question-and-answer format, with detailed rationales, Comprehensive Review in Clinical Neurology is a must-have for both aspiring and practicing neurologists and psychiatrists preparation to take the RITE, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology written exams, and various recertification exams.