Dalai Lama Biography
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| Dalai Lama |
In
Tibetan Buddhism, Lama means a spiritual leader. It was first introduced by the
Indian scholar Padmasambhava. In the past, the word ‘Lama’ was used to mean
‘Guru’ (Sanskrit : ‘Venerable one’). ‘Lama’ became applicable only to heads of
monasteries. It was also used to mean great teachers. Nowadays the term is used
to any respected monk or priest.
Some
of the lamas are considered reincarnations of their predecessors. They are
termed as ‘Sprulsku lamas’ that means they are distinguished from
developed lamas who have won respect because of the high level of spiritual
development they have achieved. Dalai Lama is the highest lineage of
reincarnate lamas. The dominant ruler of Tibetan Buddhists gets the title
‘Dalai Lama’. Dalai Lama is considered the physical manifestation of the
compassionate Bodhisattva (‘buddha-to-be’) Avalokitesvara. The third Dalai Lama
(1543-1588) was first given the title ‘Dalai Lama’.
The
word ‘Dalai’ means chief. So, Dalai Lama is meant for the supreme lama. A Dalai
Lama in Tibet is considered a heavenly born who comes to the aid of people in
need and often functions as do the Gods of India and China and for some, as a
patron deity of Tibet. He is the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lamas and
also of the Buddhist Bodhisattva.
When
the 13th Dalai Lama died, his deadbody was seated on a throne facing the
south. After a few days, the face of the dead body happened to turn towards the
east by itself. This indicated that the next Dalai Lama had been born and was
to be found towards the east. Monks in groups rode out on horseback in search
of the new Dalai Lama. They halted under a certain cloud formation to look for
their new spiritual leader. There they spotted a particular house. A mother
came out with her baby boy in her arms. The monks identified the boy as the
next (14th) Dalai Lama.
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| Dalai Lama |
The
14th Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup was born on July 6, 1935 in Tsinghai
province, China of Tibetan parentage. He was tested by the Tibetan government and
he correctly identified objects belonging to his predecessor. A state of oracle
(judgement) confirmed that he was the reincarnation of the previous Dalai
Lamas. On 22nd February, 1940, he was officially installed as spiritual
leader of Tibet. When Lhamo Thondup grew to be 14 years old, his coronation as
a king and consecration (act of ordination to sacred life) as a lama were
confirmed.
In
1951, Chinese troops again entered Lhasa. Visiting Peking in 1954 and
negotiating with Chinese leaders the Dalai Lama attempted to work within the
strictures (bindings) imposed by China with the signing of the Sino-Tibetan
Treaty. Dalai Lama was attracted to Marxism but repulsed (prevented) by Chinese
activity in the liberation of Tibet. To counteract his influence, the Chinese
attempted to use Panchen Lama, the second spiritual leader. But this failed
with the Tibetan uprising in 1959. The Dalai Lama fled to India and set up his
residence in Dharamsala in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
As
part of his monastic training, the Dalai Lama received education in Buddhist
thoughts and practice. His contacts with Westerners broadened his interest
beyond Buddhism. He often speaks and writes of the similarities of religions in
the development of love and compassion and in the pursuit (work, worship) of
goodness and happiness for all beings. The subjects of his popular messages are
global peace and environment. In 1987, the Dalai Lama received the Albert
Schweitzer Humanitarian Award. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition
of his non-violent campaign to end Chinese domination in Tibet in 1989.
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| Dalai Lama |
Throughout
the world, the Dalai Lama remains an active and revered (respected) leader. He
has been made one of the most recognized and regarded spiritual/political
leaders in the world because of his struggles for peace and freedom. He has
spent much of his time by travelling, speaking against communism and for peace.
He has a devout (faithful, pious) following which includes individuals from all
over the world and from all walks of life.
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