This is the story of a Tibetan Family - their exile from and return to Tibet.

Tenpa Dugdak, along with his co-authors, records the experiences of his father, his sister and himself on their recent short journey into Tibet. His father (Pala, in Tibetan), is recognised as a reincarnate Lama in Tibet, and hence is known by the title Rinpoche. Pala spent more than 13 years in Chinese prisons in Tibet, because he was seen as a threat by the Chinese authorities. Pala chose to go into exile in 1983, as he was required, by the authorities, to denounce the Dalai Lama.

This book also tells the story of the land of Tibet and the impact of the annexation of this country on the Tibetan people.

In the first journey, Pala returned to Tibet in 2006 to see his mother for the first time in 20 years.  In 2007, Pala and his family returned again to his Tibetan home to assist the 30,000 local people who are still seeking spiritual guidance from their Rinpoche. The reaction of the local people was clear:

"When we drove up to Pala’s old home his friends and family were waiting for him on the roof, then everyone climbed down the ladders and welcomed him inside. Pala explained that even though someone else lived there now, the new owner had kept everything the same as it had been before he went into exile. We looked around the walls and took note of the furniture and the thangkas and I felt a little bit of our family’s history."

In contrast, the new Government of Tibet, China, has not kept everything the same, after the change of ownership in 1959. They have tried to reshape the country for their own political and economic ends. As Tenpa says...

"In September 2008 travel between towns was still prohibited for most Tibetans. In the pre-Olympic crackdown of 2008, Tibetans were confined to their homes for months and no trade occurred.  Even in the best of times movement is monitored and restricted for Tibetans, which is not the case for Han Chinese."

Our Tibet is a revealing and insightful true story about the exile and return of a Tibetan family, and a plea for the return of Tibet's future to Tibetans.

The book provides insights to how Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism is surviving under adverse conditions.  Pala says:

"Tibetans have a distinct culture, language, way of life and a precious spirituality among different communities in the world. Since time immemorial, Tibetan Buddhism has remained the basis of Tibetan people’s way of life. Therefore, the youth of the 21st century must follow these ideals by taking refuge in the Three Jewels, by practising compassion and by helping others."

Our Tibet is a heartfelt request to Governments to be actively engaged in the search for solutions for Tibet and the Tibetan people at home and in exile.