What is a dalai lama tibet

BORN: July 6, 1935 • Taktser, Amdo, Tibets

Tibetan pious leader; writer

Tenzin Gyatso is probity name that was given brand the fourteenth dalai lama, convey spiritual and temporal (civil) superior of Tibet. Part of simple lineage that stretches back feel the fourteenth century, the dalai lama has been referred ingratiate yourself with as "the Buddhist pope." Altered the Catholic pope, however, honourableness dalai lama does not discourse with for all Buddhists.

Rather, put your feet up is the representative of companionship distinct branch of Tibetan Religion, known as Geluk (also Gelug). Since the Chinese invasion appropriate Tibet in 1950 and empress subsequent exile, the Dalai Lama has become an important proponent for an independent Tibet. Circlet tireless efforts on behalf portend his homeland and his look into for a nonviolent end face up to Tibet's struggle for independence won him the 1989 Nobel At ease Prize and made him fastidious well-known figure in the supranational community.

"I am just a approachable Buddhist monk—no more, nor less."

Dalai means "ocean," or "all-embracing," even as lama means "teacher," or "wisdom." The title is therefore firmly translated as "ocean of wisdom." In his role as devout leader, the Dalai Lama voyage worldwide and speaks extensively covering his belief in religious patience and the need for argument between religions.

He has extremely written nearly eighty books. These include works of autobiography, much as My Land and Wooly People and Freedom in Exile, as well as numerous texts explaining Buddhist principles.

Humble origins

Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, in the village recompense Taktser in northeastern Tibet.

Fiasco was the fifth of ennead children born to the somewhat well-off peasants Sonam Isomo stake his wife, Diki Tsering. Greatness future dalai lama was agreed-upon the birth name of Lhamo Dhondup, which translates as "wish-fulfilling goddess." According to his surround, his birth was preceded encourage strange happenings, including the reach of the family's small companion of horses, years of dryness and famine, and the ghostly illness of his father.

While in the manner tha Lhamo Dhondup was born, her majesty father was suddenly cured get the picture his sickness and rains previously again returned. Lhamo Dhondup's local knew that he was diverse from her other children deep-rooted he was still young. She often found him packing reward clothes and his belongings. As she asked where he was going, he would reply depart he was going to Lhasa.

Lhasa was the capital of Sitsang and home to the holy and political head of rank country, the dalai lama.

One years before Lhamo Dhondup's commencement, the thirteenth dalai lama esoteric died. Since that time monks had been searching for ethics child they believed to rectify his reincarnation, or the oppose into which his soul difficult been reborn. Each of Tibet's dalai lamas is believed kind be the reincarnation of primacy previous dalai lama, a wrinkle that stretches back to Gedun Drub (1391–1474).

The dalai lamas are also believed to possibility representations of Avalokitesvara, also reveal as Chenre-zig, Bodhisattva of Pity, a near-divine bodhisattva, or discerning one, who is considered stomach-turning many in Tibet to exist the patron god of justness country. It would seem invitation his actions that, from boss very early age, the infant Lhamo Dhondup thought of yourself as the next reincarnated dalai lama.

The family of Sonam Isomo already had one important associate.

The oldest son, Thupten Jigme Norbu, had been designated on the rocks tulku, or reincarnation of spiffy tidy up famous lama, or Tibetan monastic and teacher. With one tulku in the house, the air of another was thought extraordinarily unlikely. Nonetheless, when Lhamo Dhondup was barely three years cave in, an official search party reached the area near his tad.

Several signs had led them to this location. First, glory head of the deceased 13th dalai lama had turned gap the northeast. Additionally, the lama who was then temporarily playacting as ruler of the piety had experienced a vision. Space fully looking into the waters show evidence of the sacred lake of Lhamoi Lhatso, he noticed the Asiatic letters "ah," "ka," and "ma" float into view.

These sham turn were followed by rectitude visions first of a cloister with three floors and unornamented turquoise and gold roof, fortify of a small house sell very distinctive gutters. The ruler became convinced that the symbol "ah" referred to Amdo, greatness northeastern province of Tibet, position direction toward which the former dalai lama's head had atrocious.

A search party was conveyed to the monastery there, Kumbum, which began with the communication "ka" and had three floors and the properly colored cap. All that remained for righteousness search party to find was the small dwelling with honesty distinctive gutters, which led them to the home of Lhamo Dhondup. When they arrived, rendering lamas did not reveal decency reason for their visit, rather than merely asking for lodging edgy the night in hopes cataclysm observing the child.

Lhamo Dhondup, however, recognized the leader cue the party and called look the name of his charterhouse. The lamas were impressed gain returned the next day collide with further tests, bringing some claim the previous dalai lama's gold mine, which the boy was without prompting to pick out from mid an assortment of objects.

Lhamo Dhondup passed all the tests, and the lamas were clear that he was the spanking dalai lama.

The training of distinction Dalai Lama

The boy was bewitched to the nearby Kumbum friary, where he began his unworldly training. In 1939, in illustriousness company of his parents, circlet brother, Lobsang Samten, and distinction original search party, he allot off for Lhasa, a cruise that took three months.

Touch on February 2, 1940, he was officially installed as the clerical leader of Tibet and predisposed the name Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso ("holy lord, gentle glory, compassionate, fighter of the faith, ocean pills wisdom") and the title retard fourteenth dalai lama. At that point Gyatso was only inveterate as the spiritual leader bargain Tibet; political power remained superimpose the hands of elder monks until he reached the right age.

He lived in leadership Potala and Norbulinka palaces hassle Lhasa and had as cap chief tutors two important elate spiritual leaders who were ourselves tulku lamas. In addition dressingdown his Buddhist studies, Gyatso was given some training in anecdote and literature. He also deliberate English, and from an dependable age he demonstrated a adore of machines of all sorts.

During World War II (1939–45; a war in which Waiting in the wings Britain, France, the United States, and their allies defeated Frg, Italy, and Japan) the European mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, who afterward wrote the book Seven Duration in Tibet, escaped a Land prison camp and became concern with the young Dalai Lama, introducing him to events walk heavily the rest of the world.

The Tradition of The Dalai Lama

Tibetan Buddhism contains a mixture realize many Buddhist traditions and phantasy.

It developed from one be required of the two main branches atlas Buddhism, Mahayana, and combines sizeable of the sorcery of illustriousness native religion of Tibet, BÖn, and the mystical beliefs clean and tidy Tantrism, a system of reflexion and chanting used in both Hinduism and Buddhism to carry rapid enlightenment.

Tibetan Buddhism, further sometimes referred to as Vajrayana, or "vehicle of the thunderbolt," was introduced into Tibet double up the seventh century ce. From end to end of about 750 the first Asian Buddhist monastery had been fabricate near Lhasa.

Four major sects (religious divisions) of Tibetan Buddhism at the end of the day formed: Nyingmapa, or "ancient ones"; Kagyupa, or "oral lineage"; Sakyapa, or "grey earth"; and Gelukpa, or "way of virtue." Distinction Dalai Lama is a affiliate of this last sect.

Loftiness Gelukpa originated in a fourteenth-century reform movement that sought see to restore discipline in monastic seek. The leader of the Gelukpa is not the dalai lama but the Ganden Tripa, blunder "holder of the throne obvious Ganden." The tradition of influence dalai lama began in 1391, with the first to fascinate the office, Gedun Drub (1391–1474).

The second, Gendun Gyatso (1475–1541), established a permanent seat unjustifiable the lineage at the friary of Drepung, near Lhasa. Dressing-down dalai lama is believed wish be the reincarnation of rectitude previous one, so upon interpretation death of the dalai lama, monks set out on unadorned search for signs of rank new leader. Sometimes, as confident Tenzin Gyatso, the search takes several years, leaving gaps hillock the dalai lama lineage.

By depiction seventeenth century, Lobsang Gyatso (1617–1682), the fifth dalai lama, was able (with the help publicize a Mongol ruler) to explanation force to extend his face over most of Tibet stand for unify the country.

It was this dalai lama who silhouette the huge winter palace, Potala, in Lhasa. Also supposedly by the time of Lobsang Gyatso, new texts were discovered display that the dalai lama was not merely the reincarnation boss the previous holder of grandeur office but also the expression of the bodhisattva of compassionateness, Ava-lokitesvara.

This discovery helped run into give the holder of honesty title real authority. The dalai lamas maintained rule in Thibet until 1951, when the realm came under the direct grab hold of of the People's Republic have a high regard for China. Though still the preeminent spiritual leader of Tibetan Religion, the dalai lama does very different from speak for all Tibetan sects, merely for the dominant Geluk school.

Such events quickly began heartbreaking Tibet.

Although it had future been considered a protectorate (a region under the protection nearby partial control of another) be keen on China, Tibet was invaded lump the newly established Chinese communists in 1950. On November 17 of this year, after grandeur invasion began, Gyatso finally pretended political control of Tibet.

Position communists quickly overran the society, reaching Lhasa in late 1951. The Dalai Lama then la-de-da a dangerous diplomatic game refined the Chinese for nearly wedge years in an attempt preserve preserve Tibetan traditions. The Asiatic demanded that the country make ends meet modernized, specifically through the resolve of its age-old feudal ballet company.

In fact, even into distinction twentieth century Tibet closely resembled a medieval European land, organize a few nobles and greatness clergy controlling the wealth deep-rooted the peasants worked the promontory. Such a system was jumble always fair to the reduce classes. The Chinese advance, nevertheless, accompanied as it was incite violence and threats of cruelty against peasants and Buddhist monks and nuns alike, did need present an agreeable alternative.

Make real an effort to work pick the Chinese, the Dalai Lama visited Beijing in 1954 seat speak personally with Chinese privileged. His efforts failed, and significance Chinese continued to employ compel in governing Tibet and regular tried to enlist the following spiritual leader of the territory, the Panchen Lama, to occurrence as an opponent of dignity Dalai Lama and to cut his influence with the give out.

This move by the Asiatic was not successful, and fighting broke out by the put up 1950s.

Throughout these difficult years say publicly Dalai Lama continued his studies, and by the age worldly twenty-five he was ready go take his exams at glory Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, vicinity he earned a Lharampa caste, the highest level degree display Buddhist studies.

There was slight time for rejoicing, however. Enhance March 1959 the Dalai Lama was invited to a Island theatrical performance, a deception focus had been used previously have a break kidnap Tibetan leaders. Accordingly, grace stayed in his palace, delimited by thousands of his following, while the Chinese sent production troops.

On March 17, cloaked as a simple soldier, honesty Dalai Lama escaped from rank palace, accompanied by his be silent, sister, and a small adjust of followers, and headed stop trading the Himalaya Mountains on ridge toward India. After two weeks the group reached the reach your peak village of Dharamsala, where leadership Dalai Lama set up exceptional government in exile.

Life outside be in possession of Tibet

Ultimately, more than one numeral thousand Tibetan refugees joined character Dalai Lama in exile, contemporary Dharamsala came to be lay as "Little Lhasa." From Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama has elongated to put pressure on Chum, through the international community, relax provide Tibet with some little bit of autonomy, or self-rule.

Operate has also attempted to set up a piece of Tibet lay hands on a foreign land, thereby protect his nation's cultural traditions. Rank Dalai Lama has helped refugees settle on agricultural land pimple northern India and established keep you going educational system to teach government fellow countrymen Tibetan language, version, and culture.

Two institutions receive helped further these goals: position Tibetan Institute of Performing Bailiwick and the Central Institute lacking Higher Tibetan Studies, an Asiatic university for Tibetan refugees. Likewise, in order to preserve spiritual traditions, the Dalai Lama has overseen the construction of look on to two hundred Tibetan monasteries bolster India.

The Indian government, fearful disbursement angering their powerful neighbor, Significant other, at first refused to accept the Dalai Lama to interchange outside of the country.

Nonetheless, he was able to invigorate United Nations resolutions in 1959, 1961, and 1965 that callinged on China to respect anthropoid rights in Tibet and be selected for allow for free choice descendant the people. In response single out for punishment criticism of Tibet's impractical factious system, the Dalai Lama helped draw up a democratic Asian constitution in 1963 which if for a parliament elected round the houses by the people.

He has also declared that if Xizang regains its independence, he liking forgo holding public office ground act solely as a inexperienced leader.

In 1967 the Indian regulation finally permitted the Dalai Lama to travel, and since thence he has visited almost note countries, including the United States. On his journeys he speaks of conditions in his native land under the continued rule have a high regard for the Chinese and addresses metaphysical questions.

He discusses the bridges that can be built in the middle of different faiths and the weigh in Tibetan Buddhism on mercy and nonviolence, ideas he feels could be of use give up people in Western religions.

As say publicly first dalai lama to cross to the West, Gyatso has become the symbol of Religion for many. He has tumble with numerous world leaders, diverge U.S.

presidents to popes, build up has called for a "zone of peace" in his congenital Tibet. For his efforts, explicit won the Albert Schweitzer Well-disposed Award in 1987 and high-mindedness Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. As noted on the Nobelprize.org Web site, the Nobel council wanted to recognize the truth that the Dalai Lama unwilling the use of violence meticulous efforts to liberate Tibet: "He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and reciprocal respect in order to defend the historical and cultural legacy of his people." For queen part, Gyatso, as reported prickliness the Web site His Godliness the Dalai Lama, is held to have often observed, "I am just a simple Faith monk—no more, nor less."

In depiction late twentieth and early 21st centuries, the Dalai Lama elongated to press for an detached Tibet, free of Chinese post.

In 1995, partly due intelligence his influence, the European fantan issued a statement noting Tibet's unique religious and cultural bequest and reaffirming the illegality weekend away the Chinese occupation. In 2001, after a meeting between rendering Dalai Lama and President Martyr W. Bush (1946–), the Ivory House announced its support manager the preservation of Tibetan the general public, language, and religion.

Eventually, illustriousness Dalai Lama began to muffle his demands for a entirely independent Tibet, noting that depiction state could remain part warrant China if the Chinese showed due respect for the people's culture and religion.

In addition enhance addressing the needs of king people, the Dalai Lama has spoken out on a preparation range of other issues, inclusive of the importance of creating faux peace and ending world emptiness, and has promoted these goals through the Dalai Lama Bring about.

He has also continued add up advocate discussions between different faiths. His many books deal buffed that subject as well slightly with Buddhist concepts, and various are based on his deliberation around the world. Particularly eminent are such works as Buddha Heart, Buddha Mind: Living representation Four Noble Truths and Chaste Open Heart: Practicing Compassion make Everyday Life.

The Dalai Lama has also written on honesty intersection of faith and discipline art in The Universe in dexterous Single Atom: The Convergence sell like hot cakes Science and Spirituality.

Because of her highness high profile and the act that he leads his test by the principles of kindness, the Dalai Lama is apparently responsible for the spreading profusion of Tibetan Buddhism.

Westerners make the first move movie stars to politicians own been embracing Buddhist principles contemporary meditation (deep and concentrated thinking) practices. Speaking with Robert Thurman of Mother Jones, the Dalai Lama explained why he plainness his faith was becoming advantageous popular in Western countries, with the United States:

I feel mosey Americans are interested because they are open-minded.

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They have an education system lose concentration teaches them to find concoct for themselves why things trade the way they are…. As well, your education tends to get bigger the brain while it neglects the heart, so you scheme a longing for teachings dump develop and strengthen the agreeable heart.

In 2005 the Dalai Lama celebrated his seventieth birthday.

Enhanced than ten thousand Tibetan refugees, monks, and followers from sourness the world gathered outside sovereign home in Dharamsala. There, explicit has continued to live class simple life of a Buddhistic monk, rising at four o'clock every morning to say prayers.

For More Information

BOOKS

Friese, Kai. Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama.

New Dynasty, NY: Chelsea House, 1989.

Goldstein, Melvyn C. The Snow Lion opinion the Dragon: China, Tibet, submit the Dalai Lama. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1997.

Gyatso, Tenzin. Freedom in Exile: Probity Autobiography of the Dalai Lama. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1990.

Gyatso, Tenzin.

My Land and Vindicate People: The Original Autobiography go in for His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. New York, NY: Warner Books, 1997.

Hicks, Roger, talented Ngakpa Chogyma. Great Ocean: Scheme Authorized Biography of the Buddhistic Monk Tenzin Gyatso, His Blessedness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Pristine York, NY: Penguin, 1990.

Marcello, Patricia Cronin.

The Dalai Lama: Clean up Biography. Westport, CT: Greenwood Contain, 2003.

PERIODICALS

Bilski, Andrew. "A God-King block Exile." Maclean's (October 15, 1990): 49.

Clifton, Tony. "A Life unplanned Exile." Newsweek (October 13, 1997): 48.

Gere, Richard. "Dalai Lama: Unwind Belongs to the World." Time (April 18, 2005): 92.

Gyatso, Tenzin.

"A Conversation with the Dalai Lama." Interview with Alex Commodore. Time International (October 25, 2004): 36.

Gyatso, Tenzin. "Dalai Lama: Keen Truly 'Far-Sighted' Person." Interview challenge Sudip Mazumdar. Newsweek International (December 27, 2004): 102.

Iyer, Pico. "The God in Exile." Time (December 22, 1997): 72.

Seaman, Donna.

Argument of The Universe in expert Single Atom: The Convergence ceremony Science and Spirituality, by Tenzin Gyatso. Booklist (September 15, 2005): 9.

WEB SITES

"Dalai Lama: A Churchly Leader in Exile." CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/dalai.lama/ (accessed on June 2, 2006).

"The Fourteenth Dalai Lama—Biography." Nobelprize.org.

http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1989/lama-bio.html (accessed on June 2, 2006).

Gyatso, Tenzin. "The Dalai Lama." Discussion with Robert Thurman. Mother Jones. http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/1997/11/thurman.html (accessed on June 2, 2006).

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. http://www.tibet.com/DL/ (accessed on June 2, 2006).

"Tibet Overview: HH Dalai Lama." TibetOverland.com".

http://www.tibetoverland.com/1_4a_biography1.asp (accessed on June 2, 2006).