Page 49 - All About History - Issue 53-17

Time Traveller’s Handbook
INDEPENDENT TIBET

WHO TO BEFRIEND WHO TO AVOID
The 13th Dalai Lama Zhao Erfeng
In a region as connected to its religion as Tibet, the Dalai Lama is a prominent, Many Tibetans are feeling threatened by more
central, unifying figure. Although he is a monk, he and his regents serve as Christian monasteries being established and
the head of the Tibetan government, making him the most powerful man in the increasing control of the Chinese Qing
y
the country. Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama, was born to peasants and Dynasty. This led to a rebellion in 1905, with
y
ing
recog gnised as the reincarnation in 1877. Although he h as spent stretches of his Buddhist Lamas killi g
g
feng
reig gn in exile, he is keen to reform and improve the cou Chinese officials. Erfe g
untry by outlawing capital
g
als
punishment and creating g postage stamps and bank no otes for the first time. is one of these officia s
sent to squash the re evolt.
Extra tip: Gyatso is also Although he exerts g great
the first Dalai Lama power, his harsh tact tics,
to really recognise including mass murd der
F FI
FIGG.003 the benefits of foreign of innocents and bur rning
.
I
G
g
relations, particularly with monasteries, has earn ned
Russia and, to a lesser him the name ‘Zhao
degree, Britain. He also the Butcher.’ Though h he
sent students to England claims to work along gside
to study and welcomed the Dalai Lama, the t two
a host of travellers. disagree massively,
Unlike some of the more and he will force the e
hesitant population, holy leader into exile e.
being a foreigner may
b Feared, loathed and
work in your favour when detested, unless you
b
befriending the leader. want to attract negati tive
G
4
.0
attention, avoid the last FI G 44
l
am mban in Tibet at all costs. .
l
Th e l p
he essential skills to he p yyou flourish
n this remote, traditional al regionn in ts e ote n
al handling
G.05
FIG A Anima
n important
Yak ks are an
part o ff Tib etan life; they
pull th ood ploughs
ll he wo
and carry g goods along the
unpaved tr racks. Their milk
is al lso con sumed in large
g
quantities, h their skin used
k
f for tents an
n nd their dung
even used as f fuel. .

FI GG.07
Buddhism knowledge
n
e
c
D
Da
Every aspect of Tibetan life is Da ce
Th l h l g g
hhe Dalai Lama has a large entourage,
influenced by Buddhism, from
but an unusual way to enter his inner
bu t tanunusual waytoenter his inner
literature to government. A good
circle is to become part of his dance
G
knowledge of the religion is FIG.06
essential if you wish to advance troupe. However, be wary: it is rumoured
to be extremely strict, with dancers
in this spiritual culture.
being severely punished for missing
any performances.
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