Dalai Lama

Description: (Spiritual Leader of Tibet and 14th Dalai Lama)

The longest living Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th and the present Dalai Lama and holds the profile of a spiritual and political leader of Tibet. Head monk of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are said to be reincarnated souls in the line of tulkus, who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion. Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and in the tradition of Bodhisattva, Dalai Lamas are said to spend their entire life committed to promoting humanity. These souls chose to be reincarnated instead of attaining ‘nirvana’ for the benefit of the society and mankind. Dalai Lama is a combination of Mongolian word, Dalai and Tibetan word lama. While former means ocean, the latter stands for teacher. Since 1391 until date, there have been 14 Dalai Lamas, from the first Gedun Drupa until the present Tenzin Gyatso. Coming back to the 14th Dalai Lama, he was appointed at the age of two and was formally recognized when he was 15. Fearing assassination, he fled from Tibet and stationed himself and thousands of refugees in Dharmasala Himachal Pradesh. He established the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and has been an advocator for the Tibetan across the globe. Ever since his enthronement, he has strived to make Tibet an independent and democratic state, free from the dominance by People’s Republic of China. He strongly preaches as well as practices the importance of non-violence and peace and significance of compassion. For his outstanding achievements and relentless work on peace, he has been bestowed with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Overview

Birthday July 6, 1935 (Cancer)
Alternative names Lhamo Thondup, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, Tenzin Gyatso
Height 170 cm
Parents Choekyong Tsering
Diki Tsering
Relatives Jetsun Pema, Thubten Jigme Norbu, Tsering Dolma

Did you know

What is the Dalai Lama's role in Tibetan Buddhism? The Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, responsible for guiding and teaching followers in the practice of their faith.
How is the Dalai Lama selected? The Dalai Lama is traditionally chosen through a process of reincarnation, where a search is conducted for the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama after his passing.
What is the Dalai Lama's stance on non-violence and peace? The Dalai Lama is an advocate for non-violence, promoting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and emphasizing compassion and understanding towards all beings.
What is the significance of the Dalai Lama's teachings on mindfulness and meditation? The Dalai Lama emphasizes the practice of mindfulness and meditation as tools for cultivating inner peace, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
How does the Dalai Lama contribute to global humanitarian efforts? The Dalai Lama is known for his humanitarian work, promoting human rights, environmental conservation, and interfaith dialogue to foster peace and understanding worldwide.
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