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paperback HK$145
Inkstone Books
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More reviews by John Walsh
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Searching for Buddha's Tooth: Personal Stories of Tibetan Culture by Tsering N. Khortsa
A Tibetan brought up in India who then moved to study in Taiwan, Tsering Khortsa is twice exiled. His Taiwanese colleagues are curious about him and his culture and he converts himself into a kind of expert on politics and history, somewhat to his own surprise. As a result, his writings, which have appeared in a variety of newspapers and magazines, frequently concern the issues of contemporary Tibet and the issue of exile.
In the eleven pieces that make up this slim volume, he is involved with exploring the phenomenon of Miss Tibet, Tibetan cinema and the curious incident of the supposed relic of the Buddha's tooth. This relic, which seems to have been an entirely invented gimmick, helps Khortsa to explore the huge popularity of Tibetan religion in Taiwan, both as a matter of fashion and a matter of faith. The huge popularity of the Dalai Lama, whom the author is able to meet, is based on the immense charisma of the man and the power of his simple message of compassion. The description of the meeting with the Dalai Lama is quite affecting: "Compassion and wisdom, he seems to stress time and again, are inextricably linked. And compassion is the true source of enduring happiness, which is in turn the purpose of life. With this direct message, delivered in all its elegant simplicity, the Dalai Lama seemed like a person who is in direct communion with the truth."
There are not many Tibetans living in Taiwan but there is a special relationship between the two peoples. Both are seeking, sometimes desperately, recognition of their separateness to a greater or less extent from mainland China. This leads to a warm welcome to Tibetans on the island, where there is often little interest in other societies than its own. It is also manifested in a craze for the gZi beads which are prized ancient artifacts that become associated with magical powers in Taiwanese society.
Yet this is of little real consolation to those Tibetans making up their `little Lhasa' in the mountainous Indian town of Dharmasala or who are scattered across the world in their little diaspora. They have the support of numerous celebrities and well-wishers in their struggle for justice but as large corporations and governments scramble to do business with the new Chinese economic powerhouse, independent Tibet as an issue already seems to have fallen by the wayside. The annual Miss Tibet contests are being organised to try to find media-friendly voices to help promote Tibetan culture and keep alive the struggle in the minds of the world. This is not without controversy for many Tibetans are conservative in nature and unwilling to let their young women be flaunted before the eyes of anyone who cares to see. Perhaps this book will achieve something in the same service.
Tsering Khortsa has published this book himself and had it printed in the USA. It seems a pity that he was unable to find a publisher and an editor who would have been able to eliminate the occasional mistakes and advise on providing an introduction to give more shape and structure to the articles. Still, for a quick and easy entrance to the issues surrounding modern Tibet and its exiles, this is a splendid and readable book.
John Walsh
18/09/2005
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John Walsh is Assistant Professor at Shinawatra International University, Bangkok. |
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