Lobsang Nyandak currently serves as Director of the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala, India. His public service spans multiple spheres, including government, diplomacy, and civil society. He previously served as Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to North America (2008-2013) and led the Tibet Fund as President until 2022. Within the Central Tibetan Administration, he held positions of Kalon (Minister) for Finance, Health, and Information & International Relations, and was elected to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Earlier in his career, Nyandak held key roles in major Tibetan organizations, including the Tibetan Youth Congress, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, and the Executive Director of the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy. His time as Representative to North America offered him the unique opportunity to accompany the Dalai Lama across the United States, from Capitol Hill to university auditoriums, witnessing the profound respect and admiration the American people and their leaders hold for Tibet’s spiritual leader.
“This book chronicles a unique and meaningful chapter in modern diplomatic history, the evolving relationship between His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Presidents of the United States.
I have long believed that the engagement between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leaders of the United States carries a deeper significance beyond the bilateral realm. It demonstrates how the power of moral authority can find resonance even in the highest seats of political power. This bond, shaped by mutual admiration and ethical alignment, has helped amply the Tibet issue on the world stage, inspired cross-cultural respect, and encouraged dialogue over conflict.
I commend the author for bringing together rare archival material, insightful narratives, and contextual clarity to offer a narrative that is both informative and inspiring. May this work serve as a reminder of the power of moral courage, and may it help rekindle international interest in the just aspirations of the Tibetan people.”
“Beautifully written and deeply insightful, this book is a remarkable exploration of the connections between the Dalai Lama and American presidents throughout history. With an excellent preface and introduction, a thoughtful contribution by Samdhong Rinpoche, and many compelling chapters including fascinating historical letters, documents, and photographs, it offers both scholarly significance and engaging storytelling. The book is filled with great anecdotes and behind-the-scenes moments between the Dalai Lama and American presidents, bringing history vividly to life. An essential reference for anyone seeking to understand the historic and contemporary ties between Tibet and America.”
“At the crossroads of politics and moral authority lies an extraordinary dialogue: the Dalai Lama and the Presidents of the United States. From Roosevelt’s gold watch to George W. Bush’s Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, from Carter’s behind-the-scenes support to Obama’s warm tributes, this book reveals how successive American leaders balanced diplomacy with principle in their encounters with Tibet’s spiritual leader. It is a testament to the enduring bond between democratic ideals and the timeless values of peace, compassion, and human dignity. Readers will find in these pages not only a compelling chronicle of history but also an inspiring reflection on the power of moral courage in shaping our world—making this a book you won’t want to put down.”
“Although Tibet historically was considered an isolated country with minimal contact with the outside world, yet there has been extraordinary interaction between the present 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, and successive American presidents. This book is a concise history of the ties between the Dalai Lama and 15 presidents of the United States of America., starting from Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s. The fact that the book includes copies of original source materials, including text of communications between the Dalai Lama and the presidents, provides an added value to general readers and scholars alike.”
The Dalai Lama and American Presidents is a visually rich and historically grounded narrative that chronicles the unique and enduring relationship between His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and successive U.S. Presidents—from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s symbolic “gold watch diplomacy” in 1942 to recent interactions under Presidents Trump and Biden.
Part photographic biography and part political history, this 180-page, full-color hardcover book combines rare archival photographs, declassified documents, and personal reflections to illuminate how a humble Tibetan monk became a respected moral voice in the highest offices of Washington, D.C.
This book demonstrates that—even without political power—the Dalai Lama has influenced U.S. Presidents by appealing to values of compassion, truth, and human dignity. It is a story of diplomacy without armies, faith meeting politics, and how Tibet’s struggle for freedom has found echoes in the conscience of American leaders.
Lobsang Nyandak currently serves as Director of the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala, India. His public service spans multiple spheres, including government, diplomacy, and civil society. He previously served as Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to North America (2008-2013) and led the Tibet Fund as President until 2022. Within the Central Tibetan Administration, he held positions of Kalon (Minister) for Finance, Health, and Information & International Relations, and was elected to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
At its heart, the book documents the Dalai Lama’s enduring struggle for Tibetan freedom, carried forward through tireless appeals to the U.S. government. Each meeting, letter, and gesture reveals not only the challenges of global politics but also Tibet’s unwavering voice on the world stage.
You can find the book on major online retailers or through our official website - www.dalailamauspresidents.com
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