The knowledge world already has hundreds of books on Tibet, then why another book?

This work is not the history of Tibet and its people, it is neither an exposition of Buddhist teachings and philosophy nor does it explain their tantric traditions and practices; it is not a compilation of their mysteries, magical practices and miracles, nor of feats of human endurance borne out of yoga; it is not a dissertation of doctrines of karma, birth and incarnation nor it is an explanatory note on the famous 'Tibetan Book of the Dead', near-death experiences, dreams and psychic phenomena; it is not even meant to justify the institution of oracles and their trances although it does portray them in fair light.

This work is a conglomeration of all that it is not supposed to be, as aforesaid. It covers a wide panorama of Tibetan life, customs, traditions, beliefs, practices, food and religion. In short, it covers Tibetan way of life in one small volume where each of these topics might require a number of volumes. It gives a bird's eye view of wide spectrum of kaleidoscope that indeed Tibet was before the Chinese communists totally brutalised the country and its people. However, this work does categorically say, in the words of His Holiness, that: Buddhism is not a religion, it is a way of life.

M.N. Gulati was born in February 1931 in a small village in Punjab (now in Pakistan). He had his early education in Rawalpindi, and passed his matriculation from Punjab University, Lahore. The partition of India took him to Bangalore, where he joined the Government College. The end of first Indo- Pak War saw him in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun from where he was commissioned in Bengal Sappers of Corps of Engineers.

Colonel Gulati is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India) and a graduate of College of Military Engineering, Mhow (MP). He saw active service against the Chinese in NEFA in 1962, Pakistanis in Khemkaran Sector in an armoured brigade in 1965 where he had the privilege of attending numerous Brigade 'O' Groups with commanders of three famous tank regiments of Indian Army.

Colonel Gulati was closely associated with planning engineering support for the multi- pronged operations against East Pakistan during Indo-Pak War 1971. He was in Dacca (Bangladesh) during 1971-72 when he was awarded ' Mention-in-Despatch'. Has published a number of articles and books on social anthropology, general history, military history in particular. Six of his books entitled: 'Tibetan Wars Through Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal' Rediscovering Bhutan'; ' Pakistan's Downfall in Kashmir'; 'Military Plight of Pakistan (2 vols.)'; ' What America Did for India's Independence' and 'American-African Gandhis', have already been published by Manas Publications.

Dedication

Preface

Gratitude

Glossary

List of Illustrations

Dalai Lamas of Tibet

1. Prologue
2. Monastic Governance
3. The Potala
4. Reincarnation
5. British Military Expeditions
6. Chinese Invasions
7. Dalai Lama Visits China and India
8. Revolution: A Mass Up-Rising
9. The Great Escape
10. The Oracles
11. Psychic Phenomena
12. Sonic Power: Magic & Miracles
13. Dreams and Prophecies
14. Death Horoscope

Bibliography

Index