The Wisdom of Forgiveness

Author : Victor Chan , Institute of Asian Research, University of BC, Vancouver262pages

There has been many books written about the Dalai Lama, by the Dalai Lama or co authors. Majority of the books are written by Western Authors and on specific scope of topics.

This book is easily readable, its chapters are brief and written by an Asian, a Chinese. It is interesting, as the Dalai Lama and Tibetans has suffered much arocity under the Chinese rule, yet Victor Chan has been given a intimate access to the Dalai Lama over 30 years span. The author indicated his initial apprehension in meeting the Dalai Lama - how will he be treated as a Chinese.

Weaved into the stories of the Dalai Lama private life, and cleverly higlighted are glimpses of wisdom from the Dalai Lama. The lessons are quite varied from compassion, interdependence, emptiness. How, it seems that over the years of meetings and interview, the core lesson keep cropping up. And the lessons presented in the books are those that the Dalai Lama live and emphasize like caring for others, compassion.

Through the author, one gets glimpses into the very private life of the Dalai Lama like when he meditate in the daily morning session, have lunch or meals, the author was present as an observer. One session highlight the Dalai Lama's habit of brushing teeth after every meals.
In one incident, the Dalai Lama was very sick, to the extend for the need to cancel the annual
major prayer session. The Dalai Lama how he think he gotten sick and it was a lesson on interdepence.