Tibet on Fire: Buddhism, Protest, and the Rhetoric of Self-Immolation [Hardcover]

Using Kenneth Burke's concept of dramatism as a way of exploring multiple motivations in symbolic expression, Tibet on Fire examines the Tibetan self-immolation movement of 2011-2015. The volume asserts that the self-immolation act is an affirmation of Tibetan identity in the face of cultural genocide.

Aside from its particular focus on performances and rhetoricwhich may interest those already familiar with the self-immolationsTibet on Fire also serves as a general introduction to the Tibetan self-immolation phenomenon, and provides comprehensive, introductory-level background on Tiber-China history, Tibetan Buddhism, and international politics vis-?-vis the Tibet-China conflict. Tibet on Fire may thus also be of interest to those seeking a general introduction to the self-immolations themselves as well as the Tibet-China conflict in general. (Benjamin Wood, Journal of Global Buddhism, Vol. 17, 2016)

John Whalen-Bridge is Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at National University of Singapore

'John Whalen-Bridge bravely sets out to answer hard questions: How are we to understand self-immolation? Are there historical and philosophical roots? Is suicide a Buddhist tradition? Is self-immolation politically effective? This spiritually profound book is vital reading in desperate times.' - Maxine Hong Kingston, Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, USA

'Tibet on Fire offers a penetrating and persuasive analysis of a compelling and troubling Buddhist cultural practice. Why have scores of Tibetan monks and other social activists been choosing self-immolation? What are the cultural, political, and religious meanings of such an act? How can we with confidence interpret bodily deployments such as these ones that express themselves without words? John Whalen-Bridge's nuanced and moving interpretation not only explains a little studied but extremely significant transnationall#K