Just about everyone has heard of the Dalai Lama, and most people even know a few Dalai Lama quotes, but not everyone understands how he came into his role of leadership in Tibetan Buddhism or for the country of Tibet itself.
The Dalai Lama is recognized as holder of the highest position of leadership in Tibetan Buddhism. He is referred to as "Galwa Rinpoche" (Precious Victor) of the Gelug Buddhist sect. There are four sects of Buddhism in Tibet, and each honor the Dalai Lama as leader. He is often addressed as "His Holiness" (or HH) when in residence in Tibet or among other religious organizations throughout the world. Among practicing Buddhists, the Dalai Lama is believed to be one of several reincarnations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. This particular line of reborn magistrates traces all the way back to the first Dalai Lama, born in 1391.
Initially the title of “Dalai Lama” was not actually bestowed during the succession of reborn Dalai Lamas. This title was given and recognized for the third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, who received the title in 1578. The title “Dalai Lama” translates into the words "ocean" and "guru" from two separate languages, Mongolian and Sanskrit. The title is universally recognized to mean "spiritual teacher" today. Although the first two incarnations of the Dalai Lama did not actually hold this title, they are still considered to be part of this line. These two spiritual leaders are Genden Drub who lived from 1391 to 1474 and Genden Gyatso who lived from 1475 to 1541.
The position of Dalai Lama has not always been just spiritual in nature. In fact, the Dalai Lama contributed to Tibet's political rule until the country was occupied by China in 1949. This powerful political position led to five of Dalai Lamas incarnations being killed by their Buddhist courtesans within a 170 year period. The present Dalai Lama, who is the 14th in this ancient lineage, was forced to flee to India after the occupation of Tibet and was compelled to cede his power to an elected government-in-exile. Today the current Dalai Lama continues to fight for the freedom of Tibet.
When a current Dalai Lama passes away, the search immediately starts for the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. This next one in line will be known as the 15th Dalai Lama, and he is expected to be found as a young child. The next incarnation will be known as the yangsi, and it is believed that he (or she) will be found by finding one who shows familiarity with the possessions of the former Dalai Lama. According to Tibetan beliefs, the child will then be taken to Lhasa, where the child will be trained for the office by the other Lamas.
The succession of reborn Dalai Lamas is a tradition which has continued for over 600 years, and it is said will continue as long as the spirit of this religious leader is reincarnated. The office of the Dalai Lama will continue to be intrinsic to the leadership of Tibetan Buddhism for the foreseeable future.
As stated earlier, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been living outside of his native Tibet for over 40 years. During his exile, the Dalai Lama has continued to campaign for a free Tibet.
The current Dalai Lama was born in Tibet on July 6, 1935. He was proclaimed to be the tulku, or rebirth, of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. When he was found, he was living with his farming family (five of sixteen children) in the Tibetan province of Amdo. By the age of 15, the 14th Dalai Lama was appointed as the Tibetan Head of State, on November 17, 1950. This designation was made just as Tibet was undergoing occupation by the People's Republic of China.
The exiling of the Dalai Lama began after a failed attempt to overthrow the Communist rule of China in 1959. Before, the Dalai Lama had gone to India to negotiate with their Prime Minister to put pressure on China toward granting Tibet autonomous rule. The Prime Minister of India was not persuaded, fearing retribution from China. He left the Dalai Lama to continue talks with China on his own. Those negotiations failed, and in 1959 the Dalai Lama migrated to India, establishing the government of Tibet in exile in Dharmasala, India.
Soon Dharmasala came to be known as "Little Lhasa", as other Tibetans followed the Dalai Lama into exile in the Indian haven. As the size of the community increased, the Dalai Lama began setting up schools for the Tibetan children residing there to learn Tibetan traditional language, history and culture. Thus in 1959 the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies were established.
The 14th Dalai Lama became the first Dalai Lama to visit the West during his exile, and has continued to do so to this day. He established an office and temple in New York. There he has continually been appealing to the United Nations on the behalf of Tibet since 1959. Because of his efforts, there have been three resolutions adopted by the UN regarding Tibet. All of the resolutions are aimed at ensuring that China respect the human rights of Tibetans, as well as seeking to further Tibets goals of self-rule. On September 21, the Dalai Lama developed the Five-Point Peace Plan, which was addressed to the U.S. Congressional Human Right's Caucus toward the goal of Tibet's freedom.
The exile of the Dalai Lama has not deterred this religious leader from his goals and responsibilities, as he continues to work toward his vision of Tibetan independence. This great leader hopes to see his homeland free before he leaves this earth, but continues to strive toward that goal in the spirit of non-violence and grace as shown in this, one of the most familiar Dalai Lama Quotes: “We wish to approach this subject in a reasonable and realistic way, in a spirit of frankness and conciliation and with a view to finding a solution that is in the long term interest of all: the Tibetans, the Chinese, and all other peoples concerned.”
