Who is the Dalai Lama?

by m

Buddhism: One knows - vaguely - who the Dalai Lama is. Let's cram some details about who the Dalai Lama is, what he does as a humanist / political / religious leader and who (if reincarnation exists) he will be in his next life.*

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If you ever find yourself taking Route 40 into Baltimore, Maryland, at some point nearing the city you'll probably see a large billboard featuring a picture of the Dalai Lama and the words 'He doesn't just pray for peace. He works for it.'. It's a very nice sentiment, but led me to a slightly different realization than the intended message of taking peaceful action. Upon seeing this billboard, I realized that I really had no idea who the Dalai Lama was. I was fairly certain that he was some sort of Eastern religious leader and activist, but beyond that, I hadn't the foggiest. What exactly was his job description? How did he become Dalai Lama in the first place? My peers were equally baffled and so a fact-finding mission was proposed. Facts were, indeed, found, and are presented here for your eclectic edification.

Our current Dalai Lama

The man known as the Dalai Lama was born in 1935 as Lhamo Döndrub. Upon ratification as the 14th Dalai Lama, his name was changed to Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, which translates to Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom. The taken name of all previous Dalai Lamas has included 'Gyatso' - 'ocean', in connection with the meaning of the title 'Dalai Lama'. The phrase 'Dalai Lama' itself means 'Ocean Teacher', that is, 'teacher whose spirtuality is as great as the ocean'. Though not an official Tibetan title, 'His Holiness' [HH] is often used in Western society.

How the Dalai Lama is chosen

HHtDL is recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama, but at the same time, according to the Tibetan Budhhist beliefs, there has only ever been one Dalai Lama. According to his devotees, HHtDL is a reincarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas. Because of his great compassion, Avalokitesvara is continually reincarnated so that he may bring enlightment to all beings.

After the death of a Dalai Lama, or sometimes shortly before the death, an immense search begins to find the child who is the reincarnation. Signs that pointed to HHtDL included the head of the embalmed 13th Dalai Lama turning from south-east to north-east, in indication of the direction in which to search and a vision had by the regent Reting Rinpoche. When the then-called Lhamo Döndrub was approached at age two, he was presented several relics belong to the previous Dalai Lama and allegedly cried out 'That's mine! That's mine!'.

The Dalai Lama as a political leader

As well as being the spirtual leader of the Tibetans, HHtDL is also traditionally recognized as the political leader. He was not enthroned until 1950, at age 15, and his formal leadership of Tibet lasted only until 1959. Fearing that the Chinese government was making plans to assassinate HHtDL, his followers - and the American Central Intelligency Agency - assisted in his escape to India. In Dharamsala, India, he set up the Tibetan Government in Exile, or what is now called the Central Tibetan Adminstration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Debate still rages about the morality and legality of China's contral of Tibet. While HH has not ignored the issue entirely, neither has he allowed it to impede his religious functions.

HHtDL has personally taught in 46 countries, but his written and recorded words have reached millions, if not billions. The value and impact of his teachings led the Nobel Prize Committee to award HH the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, only one of the many honors and recognitions he has recieved. HH organizes the basic tenets of his beliefs as three main commitments.

The lifetime goals of the Dalai Lama

The promotion of secular ethics, or human values, including compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. The desire for these things is common to all humans, regardless of organized religious affiliation or lack thereof.

The promotion of religious harmony and understanding for, despite philisophical differences, all major world religions are paths to ethical lives. In keeping with this belief, HH has met many times with leaders of Abrahamic and Hindustanic religions.

The promotion of Tibetan rights for, as a Tibetan with great freedom and authority, HH has a responisiblity to act as a spokesperson for all Tibetans. This commitment will no longer exist once the Tibet-China issue has been resolved, however "His Holiness will carry on with the first two commitments till his last breath."

That last quoted sentence was taken from www.dalailama.com, where more detailed information concerning the past, present and the future of HH can be found. And, to keep up with HH's daily visits, compaigns and thoughts, check out www.twitter.com/DalaiLama.

*The Dalai Lama is always reincarnated as the Dalai Lama. So, if reincarnation exists, he will continue to be the Dalai Lama.