Summary of Barbara Demick's Eat the Buddha

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Sample Book Insights:

#1 In 1958, nine years after Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China, it was not unusual to see encampments of the Red Army around the countryside. But this was on the family property, and that was surprising. Gonpo had been fighting off sleep on the last leg of the two-day trek, but now she was jolted awake by curiosity and a touch of fear.

#2 The house that the family lived in was built in a traditional Tibetan style out of rammed earth. It was 80,000 square feet with more than 850 rooms, and it was unadorned except for two protruding wooden balconies on either side.

#3 The upper floor was dedicated to spiritual practice. The rooms were filled with frescos and thangkas, Tibetan wall hangings, all in eye-popping poster colors. The king was a dedicated bibliophile who had an extensive collection of books and scriptures.

#4 The palace was full of rituals of Buddhism, and the king made it a point to clear his plate down to the last grain of rice, reminding his daughters of how hard farmers work to produce their meal. He insisted that the staff get the same portions of food as he did.