Tibetan Buddhism has a strong culture of recognizing Dalai Lamas as their spiritual and political leaders. Dalai lamas are considered to be the manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig who is the patron saint of Tibet. Dalai lamas hold a place of great significance in Tibetan Buddhism. As Patricia Cronin Marcello writes, “To the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama was not only the embodiment of a living god but also Tibet itself.”
Here is a brief introduction to the history of the Dalai Lamas and an overview of the life and works of the 14th Dalai Lama.
About The Dalai Lamas
Tibetan Buddhism has a strong and deep belief in reincarnations. Tulkus or spirits who can choose the time and place of reincarnation are an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism. Tulkus mean ‘living teacher’ and are often given the title of Rinpoche. As Marcello writes, only the Dalai Lama can proclaim a tulku.
The Dalai Lamas are tulkus who are also bodhisattvas and are considered reincarnations or manifestations of the patron saint of Tibet, Avalokitesvara. While all the Dalai Lamas, starting with Gedun Drupa, were compassionate, active and learned scholars, it was the thirteenth Dalai Lama or Thupten Gyatso who was the first to assume both spiritual and political leadership of Tibet. Marcello writes, “Before the birth of Lhamo Dhondup, Tibetan people had called Dalai Lama Thupten Gyatso “the Great Thirteenth”.”
Brief Biography of the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama was born in a small village called Taktser on July 6, 1935. Named Lhamo Thondup or “wish-fulfilling goddess” his monastic education began at the age of six. While his family was not poor or peasants, they weren’t very rich either. According to Marcello, there were many signs that the little Lhamo Thondup heralded great things for the family. For instance, as soon as the birth of Lhamo happened, his father was miraculously cured of a mysterious vertigo. It was at that moment, that the decision to send Lhamo to the monastery was taken.
It was when Lhamo was three years old that a search party was sent to find the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Several signs were interpreted to identify Lhamo as the incarnation. It was during the winter of 1940 that Lhamo Thondup was recongized as the spiritual leader of Tibet. Thereafter, he was inducted as a novice monk and attired in maroon robes with a shaven head and a new name, Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.
The Three Commitments
His Holiness has, according to his official website, three main commitments. The first being inculcating, sharing, spreading and promoting the basic human values of, “compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline”. Next, is encouraging harmony and understanding between the religions of the world on the basis that all religions encourage goodness in mankind. These two commitments are life-long and will be pursued by His Holiness until the very end.
The third commitment is specific to Tibet and the Tibetan issue with the Chinese. His Holiness is committed as the spiritual and political leader of Tibet to resolve the problems, act as spokesperson for the Tibetans and help to reach a mutually beneficent solution. This commitment will finish once such a solution is reached.
Books and Schedule of Teachings of the Dalai Lama
His Holiness has authored and co-authored over 72 books, most of which are bestsellers and offer a simple, practical and insightful look at Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. Bestsellers, like The Art of Happiness, help lay practitioners and non-Buddhists to understand the faith and philosophy of Buddhism while applying it to various aspects of daily life.
Both Buddhists and non-Buddhists can attend the teachings of the Dalai Lama usually free of cost at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India or at other public talks held at different places in India. In the US and other foreign countries, however, tickets are charged to cover venue and travel costs. In Dharamsala, His Holiness gives the annual spring teachings or Monlam on the 16th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, which is usually in February or March.
The epitome of compassion and Buddhist knowledge, His Holiness has changed the way the world views Buddhism in more than one way. By reaching out to the Western world, the Dalai Lama has not only introduced Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhism to the West, but has also enabled many people to apply Buddhist philosophy to practical, everyday life.
Author Sunil S.
Here is a brief introduction to the history of the Dalai Lamas and an overview of the life and works of the 14th Dalai Lama.
About The Dalai Lamas
Tibetan Buddhism has a strong and deep belief in reincarnations. Tulkus or spirits who can choose the time and place of reincarnation are an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism. Tulkus mean ‘living teacher’ and are often given the title of Rinpoche. As Marcello writes, only the Dalai Lama can proclaim a tulku.
The Dalai Lamas are tulkus who are also bodhisattvas and are considered reincarnations or manifestations of the patron saint of Tibet, Avalokitesvara. While all the Dalai Lamas, starting with Gedun Drupa, were compassionate, active and learned scholars, it was the thirteenth Dalai Lama or Thupten Gyatso who was the first to assume both spiritual and political leadership of Tibet. Marcello writes, “Before the birth of Lhamo Dhondup, Tibetan people had called Dalai Lama Thupten Gyatso “the Great Thirteenth”.”
Brief Biography of the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama was born in a small village called Taktser on July 6, 1935. Named Lhamo Thondup or “wish-fulfilling goddess” his monastic education began at the age of six. While his family was not poor or peasants, they weren’t very rich either. According to Marcello, there were many signs that the little Lhamo Thondup heralded great things for the family. For instance, as soon as the birth of Lhamo happened, his father was miraculously cured of a mysterious vertigo. It was at that moment, that the decision to send Lhamo to the monastery was taken.
It was when Lhamo was three years old that a search party was sent to find the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Several signs were interpreted to identify Lhamo as the incarnation. It was during the winter of 1940 that Lhamo Thondup was recongized as the spiritual leader of Tibet. Thereafter, he was inducted as a novice monk and attired in maroon robes with a shaven head and a new name, Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.
The Three Commitments
His Holiness has, according to his official website, three main commitments. The first being inculcating, sharing, spreading and promoting the basic human values of, “compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline”. Next, is encouraging harmony and understanding between the religions of the world on the basis that all religions encourage goodness in mankind. These two commitments are life-long and will be pursued by His Holiness until the very end.
The third commitment is specific to Tibet and the Tibetan issue with the Chinese. His Holiness is committed as the spiritual and political leader of Tibet to resolve the problems, act as spokesperson for the Tibetans and help to reach a mutually beneficent solution. This commitment will finish once such a solution is reached.
Books and Schedule of Teachings of the Dalai Lama
His Holiness has authored and co-authored over 72 books, most of which are bestsellers and offer a simple, practical and insightful look at Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. Bestsellers, like The Art of Happiness, help lay practitioners and non-Buddhists to understand the faith and philosophy of Buddhism while applying it to various aspects of daily life.
History of Dalai Lama
Tibetan Leader Dalai Lama Hugs Retired Soldier Naren Das For Role In 1959 Escape
Both Buddhists and non-Buddhists can attend the teachings of the Dalai Lama usually free of cost at the Main Temple in Dharamsala, India or at other public talks held at different places in India. In the US and other foreign countries, however, tickets are charged to cover venue and travel costs. In Dharamsala, His Holiness gives the annual spring teachings or Monlam on the 16th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, which is usually in February or March.
The epitome of compassion and Buddhist knowledge, His Holiness has changed the way the world views Buddhism in more than one way. By reaching out to the Western world, the Dalai Lama has not only introduced Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhism to the West, but has also enabled many people to apply Buddhist philosophy to practical, everyday life.
Author Sunil S.
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