| The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual and | | | | life's challenges, even his "enemies" |
| political leader of the Tibetan people. He was awarded | | | | "Feelings of anger, bitterness, and hate are negative. If I |
| the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and has travelled | | | | kept those inside me they would spoil my body and |
| extensively around the world offering the message of | | | | my health. They are of no use." |
| Tibetan Buddhism. | | | | "Infinite altruism is the basis of peace and happiness. If |
| The Dalai Lama was born in the small Tibetan village | | | | you want altruism, you must control hate and you must |
| of Takster in Northern Tibet. His original name being | | | | practice patience. The main teachers of patience are |
| Tenzin Gyatso. At the age of 2 Tenzin was | | | | our enemies." |
| recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the | | | | - Dalai Lama |
| 13th Dalai Lama. Thus from an early age the Dalai | | | | The Dalai Lama has sought to preserve parts of the |
| Lama spent many years studying Tibetan scriptures | | | | Tibetan culture through educational and cultural |
| and he completed a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist | | | | institutions. He has also sought to raise awareness of |
| philosophy by the age of 25. | | | | the plight of Tibet to the wider world. |
| The Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom. Lama also | | | | The Dalai Lama has travelled extensively in the West |
| means "Guru" or teacher. The Dalai Lama's are | | | | meeting with many religious and political leaders. The |
| believed to be reincarnations of the Bodhisattva of | | | | Dalai Lama has said that there is a need for a variety |
| compassion. These are beings who choose to | | | | of faiths and religions so that it can suit the different |
| reincarnate to serve humanity. As the Dalai Lama | | | | temprements of people. He advises people to think |
| says himself. | | | | very carefully before changing their religion. He has |
| "The more we care for the happiness of others, the | | | | often said there is an underlying unity between the |
| greater our own sense of well-being becomes." | | | | different world religions. |
| Despite being a man of peace the Dalai Lama has had | | | | " All religions are essentially the same in their goal of |
| to face the consequences of the Chinese occupation | | | | developing a good human heart so that we may |
| of Tibet. In 1950 the Chinese army entered into Tibet | | | | become better human beings." |
| and began to degenerate the Tibetan culture and | | | | In 1989 the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace |
| religion. Despite many attempted negotiations and | | | | Prize. The Nobel citation read: |
| non-violent protests the Dalai Lama was finally forced | | | | "The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the |
| into exile in 1959. With many followers the Dalai Lama | | | | Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet |
| fled to Dharamsala in India. Since 1960 the Dalai Lama | | | | consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has |
| has maintained a Tibetan government in exile from this | | | | instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon |
| base in Dharamsala. Despite the turbulent and difficult | | | | tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the |
| times the Dalai Lama has lived through he has sought | | | | historical and cultural heritage of his people. |
| to maintain a spiritual outlook and learn to deal with | | | | |