Global Classroom Book Club | Spring 2022 | Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town

This resource was created to supplement the Spring 2022 Global Classroom Book Club co-sponsored by the East Asia Resource Center at the University of Washington and the  World Affairs Council - Seattle Global Classroom, and funded by a Freeman Foundation grant in support of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA),

Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town

Every day China is in the news. Yet Tibet (TAR and cultural Tibetan areas), which makes up approximately ¼ of China’s landmass, is rarely covered. Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town by Barbara Demick provides an in-depth look into the complex issues of economic gain vs. cultural loss, the Dalai Lama’s teachings on non-violence vs. self-immolations, education reform vs. watering of language and culture, Xi Jinping’s political tightening, and more, through the lived experiences and stories of the people of Tibet.

This curriculum resource guide provides educators, students, and community members with tools and resources to identify and explain key elements of Tibet culture; describe, and discuss the cultural elements and/or traditions of Tibet; explain, and discuss the role of the Dalai Lama and Buddhist monks in historical and contemporary contexts; identify and evaluate international efforts to support greater Tibetan independence;  analyze and discuss current challenges (political, economic, social, and cultural) facing Tibet, and more.