Then, during a trip outside his master's residence, he encountered PLA soldiers. After a medical check up, he was admitted to a military school.

Yexe Lozhub said, "No one curse me, or beat me at the school. I could have my stomach filled, wear decent clothes, and have a place to live,. What I didn't expect was that they would give me money to spend,. But more importantly, I had a chance to study. I couldn't have dreamed of that before. This was really a happy life."

Half a century later, Yexe Lozhub is living an easier life. He bought this new apartment just over a year ago and decorated it in typical Tibetan style. But he insisted on putting some old photos on the wall. While some are vivid images of past sufferings, his favorite is one bird's eye view of today's Lhasa. Yexe Lozhub points out that , just like himself, the picture is a reflection of the changes over the past years.

Yexe Lozhub also keeps a record of modern history. He said he doesn't know much about te outside world. But he knew so well how life has changed in Lhasa since he became his own master.