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Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Llhamo Döndrub (Tibetan: ལ, Wylie: Lha-mo Don-'grub) 6 July 1935 in Tibet), is the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama. He is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and as exiled leader of the Tibetan government in Dharamsala, India.

Gyatso was the fifth of 16 children born to a farming family in the village of Taktser in Qinghai Province of China.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). He was proclaimed the tulku (rebirth) of the thirteenth Dalai Lama two years after he was born.

On 17 November 1950, at the age of fifteen, he was enthroned as Tibet's Dalai Lama, thus becoming Tibet's most important political ruler. This occurred only one month after the People's Liberation Army's invasion of Tibet. In 1951, the Tibetan delegate, appointed by Dalai Lama, signed the Seventeen Point Agreement which was ratified by the Dalai Lama a few months later. However, he would later repudiate the agreement.

In 1954, he went to Beijing with Panchen Lama to attend the first National People's Congress of China, and was elected as vice chairman. In 1956, the Dalai Lama became the chair of the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region (PCART).

After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.

Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.

Laird (2006: p.23) in a published transcription of a conversation with Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama identifies the karmic "connections" or mindstream affinities he has:

"If someone asks me whether I am the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama," he said, "then I answer, without hesitation, yes. This does not mean that I am the same being as the previous Dalai Lama. Some Dalai Lamas are a manifestation of Manjusri. Some are a manifestation of Chenrizi. Chenrizi is the manifestation of compassion. Manjusri is the manifestation of wisdom. I have a special connection with the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and the Fifth Dalai Lama. I have felt some kind of karmic relations or connections even with the Buddha. I feel I can say I have some kind of connection with the previous Dalai Lamas, some of the previous masters, with Chenrizi, even with the Buddha."

Early life and background

Tenzin Gyatso was born to a farming family as Lhamo Döndrub or Lhamo Thondup in the far northeastern Amdo province—now part of Qinghai province—in the village of Taktser, a small and poor settlement that stands on a hill overlooking a broad valley. His parents, Choekyong and Diki Tsering, were relatively wealthy farmers among about twenty other families, all making a precarious living growing barley, buckwheat and potatos.

His parents had sixteen children, and Tenzin Gyatso is the fifth eldest of the nine who survived childhood. The eldest child was his sister Tsering Dolma, who was eighteen years older than he. His eldest brother, Thupten Jigme Norbu, has been recognised as the rebirth of the high Lama, Taktser Rinpoche. His sister Jetsun Pema went on to depict their mother in the 1997 film Seven Years in Tibet. His other elder brothers are Gyalo Thondup and Lobsang Samden.

When Tenzin Gyatso was about two years old a search party was sent out to find the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Among other omens, the head on the embalmed body of the thirteenth Dalai Lama (originally facing south) had mysteriously turned to face the northeast, indicating the direction in which the next Dalai Lama would be found. Shortly afterwards, the Regent Reting Rinpoche had a vision at the sacred lake of Llhamo La-tso indicating Amdo (as the place to search) and a one-story house with distinctive guttering and tiling. After extensive searching, they found that Thondup's house resembled that in Reting's vision. They presented Thondup with various relics and toys—some had belonged to the previous Dalai Lama while others had not. It was reported that Thondup correctly identified all items owned by the previous Dalai Lama, exclaiming "That's mine! That's mine!"

Thondup was recognised as the reincarnated Dalai Lama and renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso ("Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom"). Tibetan Buddhists normally refer to him as Yishin Norbu ("Wish-Fulfilling Gem"), Kyabgon ("Savior"), or just Kundun ("Presence"). In the West, his followers often call him "His Holiness the Dalai Lama," which is the style that he uses himself on his website.

The Dalai Lama began his monastic education at the age of six. At age eleven he met Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer after spying him in Lhasa through his telescope. Harrer effectively became the young Dalai Lama's tutor, teaching him about the outside world. The two remained friends until Harrer's death in 2006. In 1959, at age 25 he sat for his final examination in Lhasa's Jokhang Temple during the annual Monlam (prayer) Festival. He passed with honors and was awarded the Lharampa degree, the highest-level geshe degree (roughly equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy).

Buddhist monk, humanitarian, spiritual teacher and exiled leader of Tibet for his example of compassion and forgiveness following the massacre of his people and culture by the occupying army of China. He was awarded the Courage of Conscience award March 24, 1991.

Life as the Dalai Lama

Part of a series on
Tibetan Buddhism
Schools Nyingma Kadam Sakya Bodong Kagyu Jonang Gelug Rimé
Key personalities First dissemination Padmasambhāva Śāntarakṣita Kamalaśīla Songtsen Gampo Trisong Detsen Ralpacan Second dissemination Atiśa Talika Abhayakirti Niguma Sukhasiddhi Milarepa Nyingma Yeshe Tsogyal Longchenpa Jigme Lingpa Patrul Rinpoche Dudjom Lingpa Mipham Kagyu Marpa Rangjung Dorje Jonang Dolpopa Taranatha Sakya Sakya Pandita Gorampa Bodongpa Samding Dorje Phagmo Gelugpa Je Tsongkhapa 5th Dalai Lama 13th Dalai Lama 14th Dalai Lama 10th Panchen Lama
Teachings General Buddhist Three marks of existence Skandha Cosmology Saṃsāra Rebirth Bodhisattva Dharma Dependent origination Karma Tibetan Four Tenets system Rangtong-Shentong Svatantrika-Prasaṅgika distinction Nyingma Dzogchen Pointing-out instruction
Practices and attainment Lamrim Pāramitās Bodhicitta Avalokiteśvara Meditation Laity Vajrayana Tantra techniques Deity yoga Guru yoga Dream yoga Thukdam Buddhahood
Major monasteries Tradruk Drepung Dzogchen Ganden Jokhang Kumbum Labrang Mindrolling Namgyal Narthang Nechung Pabonka Palcho Ralung Ramoche Rato Sakya Sanga Sera Shalu Tashi Lhunpo Tsurphu Yerpa
Institutional roles Dalai Lama Panchen Lama Lama Karmapa Rinpoche Geshe Tertön Tulku Western tulku
Festivals Chotrul Duchen Dajyur Galdan Namchot Losar Dosmoche Monlam Sho Dun Losoong
Texts Kangyur Tengyur Tibetan Buddhist canon Mahayana sutras Nyingma Gyubum
Art Sand mandala Thangka Wall paintings Ashtamangala Tree of physiology Festival thangka Mani stone
History and overview History Timeline Outline Culture Index of articles
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As well as being one of the most influential spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama by tradition is also Tibet's absolute political ruler. In 1939 at the age of four he was taken by lamas in a procession to Lhasa, where an official ceremony recognized him as the reborn spiritual leader of Tibet. His childhood was spent between the Potala and Norbulingka, his summer residence.

On 17 November 1950, at the age of fifteen, with the country facing possible conflict with the People's Republic of China, Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the temporal leader of Tibet. His governorship, however, was short. In October of that year the army of the People's Republic of China entered the territory controlled by the Tibetan administration, easily breaking through the Tibetan defenders.

The People's Liberation Army stopped short of the old border between Tibet and Xikang and demanded negotiations. The Dalai Lama sent a delegation to Beijing and, although under PLA military pressure, finally ratified the subsequent Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and tried to work with Beijing. In September 1954, the Dalai Lama and the 10th Panchen Lama went to Beijing to attend the first session of the first National People's Congress, meeting Mao Zedong. However, during 1959, there was a major uprising among the Tibetan population. In the tense political environment that ensued, the Dalai Lama and his entourage began to suspect that China was planning to kill him. Consequently, he fled to Tawang, India, on 17 March of that year, entering India on 31 March during the Tibetan uprising.

Exile to India

The Dalai Lama met with the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, to urge India to pressure China into giving Tibet an autonomous government, as relations with China were not proving successful. Nehru did not want to increase tensions between China and India, so he encouraged the Dalai Lama to work on the Seventeen Point Agreement Tibet had with China. Eventually, after the failed uprising in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet and set up the Government of Tibet in Exile in Dharamsala, India, which is often referred to as "Little Lhasa".

After the founding of the exiled government he reestablished the ~80,000 Tibetan refugees who followed him into exile in agricultural settlements. He created a Tibetan educational system in order to teach the Tibetan children what he believed to be traditional language, history, religion, and culture. The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts was established in 1959 and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies became the primary university for Tibetans in India. He supported the refounding of 200 monasteries and nunneries in an attempt to preserve Tibetan Buddhist teachings and the Tibetan way of life.

The Dalai Lama appealed to the United Nations on the question of Tibet. This appeal resulted in three resolutions adopted by the General Assembly in 1959, 1961, and 1965. These resolutions required China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and their desire for self-determination. In 1963, he promulgated a democratic constitution which is based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A Tibetan parliament-in-exile is elected by the Tibetan refugees scattered all over the world, and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is likewise elected by the Tibetan parliament.

At the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in 1987 in Washington, D.C., he proposed a Five-Point Peace Plan regarding the future status of Tibet. The plan called for Tibet to become a "zone of peace" and for the end of movement by ethnic Han Chinese into Tibet. It also called for "respect for fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms" and "the end of China's use of Tibet for nuclear weapons production, testing, and disposal." Finally, it urged "earnest negotiations" on the future of Tibet.

He proposed a similar plan at Strasbourg on 15 June 1988. He expanded on the Five-Point Peace Plan and proposed the creation of a self-governing democratic Tibet, "in association with the People's Republic of China." This plan was rejected by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in 1991. In October 1991, he expressed his wish to return to Tibet to try to make a mutual assessment on the situation with the Chinese local government. At this time he feared that a violent uprising would take place and wished to avoid it. The Dalai Lama has indicated that he wishes to return to Tibet only if the People's Republic of China sets no preconditions for his return, which they have so far refused to do.

Tenzin Gyatso celebrated his seventieth birthday on 6 July 2005. About 10,000 Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign tourists gathered outside his home. Patriarch Alexius II of the Russian Orthodox Church said, "I confess that the Russian Orthodox Church highly appreciates the good relations it has with the followers of Buddhism and hopes for their further development." Taiwan's President, Chen Shui-bian, attended an evening celebrating the Dalai Lama's birthday that was entitled "Traveling with Love and Wisdom for 70 Years" at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. The President invited him to return to Taiwan for a third trip in 2005. His previous trips were in 2001, and 1997.

Teaching activity

The Dalai Lama is a Dzogchen practitioner and he gives teachings on this issue, and has expounded many teachings in his numerous publications. He has also given many public initiations in the Kalachakra.

In February 2007, the Dalai Lama was named Presidential Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the first time that the leader of the Tibetan exile community has accepted a university appointment. The appointment is in part an expansion of a program begun in 1998 called the Emory–Tibet Partnership. As Presidential Distinguished Professor, he will:

• provide opportunities for university community members to attend his annual teachings,
• make periodic visits to Emory to participate in programs, and
• continue the Emory–Tibet Partnership practice of providing private teaching sessions with students and faculty during Emory's study-abroad program in Dharamsala.

The Dalai Lama has strong ties with University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin, United States, and is a frequent visitor there. He visited the university in 1981 and again in 1989, the year in which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. In May 1998, he addressed a large audience at the Kohl Center and received an honorary degree from the university. In May 2001, he met with a group of neuroscientists who conduct research on the effects of meditation on brain function, emotions and physical health. His most recent visit to the U.S. was in May 2007, when he gave a lecture on sustaining happiness at the University of Buffalo in New York state.

Foreign relations

Since 1967, the Dalai Lama has initiated a series of tours in 46 nations. He has frequently engaged on religious dialogue. He met with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1973. He met with Pope John Paul II in 1980 and also later in 1982, 1986, 1988, 1990, and 2003. In 1990, he met in Dharamsala with a delegation of Jewish teachers for an extensive interfaith dialogue. He has since visited Israel three times and met in 2006 with the Chief Rabbi of Israel. In 2006, he met privately with Pope Benedict XVI. He has also met the late Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Robert Runcie, and other leaders of the Anglican Church in London, Gordon B. Hinckley, late President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), as well as senior Eastern Orthodox Church, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, and Sikh officials.

The Dalai Lama visited Pope John Paul II eight times, more than any other single dignitary. During the runup to the Beijing Olympics of 2008, the Dalai Lama visited, on April 10 2008, Japan on his way to the United States, amid protests around the world over China's handling of the 2008 Tibetan unrest. The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing claimed fomented the unrest, called for calm, but the protests had shown little sign of abating. The Dalai Lama later suggested that he does not support a boycott of the 2008 Summer Games outright. Japan's government had been relatively quiet about the violence in Tibet and, out of deference to Beijing, does not deal officially with the Dalai Lama. Tokyo does, however, grant visas to the spiritual leader, who has visited Japan fairly frequently.

Social and political stances

Tibetan independence movement

The Dalai Lama accepted the 1951 Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet with the People's Republic of China. However, his brothers moved to Kalimpong in India and, with the help of the Indian and American governments, organized pro-independence literature and the smuggling of weapons into Tibet. Armed struggles broke out in Amdo and Kham in 1956 and later spread to Central Tibet. The movement was a failure and was forced to retreat to Nepal or go underground. Following normalisation of relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China, American support was cut off in the early 1970s. The Dalai Lama then began to formulate his policy towards a peaceful solution in which a democratic autonomous Tibet would be established.

File:Http://www.mitbbs.com/article2/SanFrancisco/31326505 537.jpg In October 1998, the Dalai Lama's administration acknowledged that it received US$1.7 million a year in the 1960s from the U.S. Government through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and had also trained a guerrilla army in Colorado, (USA).

The Dalai Lama has on occasion been denounced by the Chinese government as a supporter of Tibetan independence. Over time, he has developed a public position stating that he is not in favour of Tibetan independence and would not object to a status in which Tibet has internal autonomy while the PRC manages some aspects of Tibet's defence and foreign affairs. In his 'Middle Way Approach', he laid down that the Chinese government can take care of foreign affairs and defence, and that Tibet should be managed by an elected body.

The Dalai Lama on March 16, 2008 called for an international probe of China's treatment of Tibet, which he said is causing "cultural genocide" of his people. He has stated that he will step down as leader of Tibet's government-in-exile if violence by protesters in the region worsens, the exiled spiritual leader said March 18, 2008 after China's premier Wen Jiabao blamed his supporters for the growing unrest. On March 20, 2008, he claimed he was powerless to stop anti-Chinese violence. The Dalai Lama March 28 2008 rejected a series of allegations from the Chinese government, saying he does not seek the separation of Tibet and has no desire to "sabotage" the 2008 Summer Olympics.

There has been criticism that feudal Tibet was not as benevolent as the Dalai Lama had portrayed. Critics have suggested that in addition to serfdom there were conditions that effectively constituted slavery. Also, the penal code included forms of corporal punishment, in addition to capital punishment. In response, the Dalai Lama has since condemned many of Tibet's feudal practices and has added that he was willing to institute reforms before the Chinese invaded in 1951.

Social stances

The Dalai Lama endorsed the founding of the Dalai Lama Foundation in order to promote peace and ethics worldwide. The Dalai Lama is not operationally involved with this foundation, though he suggests some overall direction and his office is routinely briefed on its activities. He has also stated his belief that modern scientific findings take precedence over ancient religions.

Sexuality

In his view, oral, manual and anal sex (both homosexual and heterosexual) is not acceptable in Buddhism or for Buddhists, but society otherwise should tolerate gays and lesbians. He explains in his book Beyond Dogma: "homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact." It has been said that in 1997 he explained that the basis of that teaching was unknown to him and that he at least had some "willingness to consider the possibility that some of the teachings may be specific to a particular cultural and historic context." In a 1994 interview with OUT Magazine, the Dalai Lama explained, "If someone comes to me and asks whether is okay or not, I will ask...'What is your companion's opinion?' If you both agree, then I think I would say, if two males or two females voluntarily agree to have mutual satisfaction without further implication of harming others, then it is okay."

Gay rights activists have criticized his comments in regards to "sexual misconduct."

Abortion

The Dalai Lama is generally opposed to abortion, although he has taken a nuanced position, as he explained to the New York Times:

Of course, abortion, from a Buddhist viewpoint, is an act of killing and is negative, generally speaking. But it depends on the circumstances. If the birth will create serious problems for the parent, these are cases where there can be an exception. I think abortion should be approved or disapproved according to each circumstance.

Environment

He has also expressed his concern for environmental problems:

On the global level, I think the ecology problem is very serious. I hear about some states taking it very seriously. That's wonderful! So this blue planet is our only home, if something goes wrong at the present generation, then the future generations really face a lot of problems, and those problems will be beyond human control; so that's very serious. Ecology should be part of our daily life.

— The Dalai Lama, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, September 19, 2006

In recent years, he has been campaigning for wildlife conservation, including a religious ruling against wearing tiger and leopard skins as garments.

Economics

In 1996, he described himself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist:

Of all the modern economic theories, the economic system of Marxism is founded on moral principles, while capitalism is concerned only with gain and profitability. Marxism is concerned with the distribution of wealth on an equal basis and the equitable utilization of the means of production. It is also concerned with the fate of the working classes—that is the majority—as well as with the fate of those who are underprivileged and in need, and Marxism cares about the victims of minority-imposed exploitation. For those reasons the system appeals to me, and it seems fair… The failure of the regime in the Soviet Union was, for me not the failure of Marxism but the failure of totalitarianism. For this reason I think of myself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist.

— The Dalai Lama, Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth and Dalai Lama's answer on various topics

Firearms

In 2001, he discussed firearms and self-defense:

One girl wanted to know how to react to a shooter who takes aim at a classmate.

The Dalai Lama said acts of violence should be remembered, and then forgiveness should be extended to the perpetrators. But if someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, he said, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun. Not at the head, where a fatal wound might result. But at some other body part, such as a leg.

— Seattle Times, Portland, Oregon May 15, 2001

Reception

The Dalai Lama has been successful in gaining Western sympathy for Tibetan self-determination, including vocal support from numerous Hollywood celebrities, most notably the actors Richard Gere and Steven Seagal, as well as lawmakers from several major countries.

On 18 April 2005, TIME Magazine placed the Dalai Lama on its list of the world's 100 most influential people.

On 22 June 2006, the Parliament of Canada voted unanimously to make The Dalai Lama an honorary citizen of Canada. This marks the third of four times in history that the Government of Canada has bestowed this honour, the others being Raoul Wallenberg posthumously in 1985, Nelson Mandela in 2001 and Aung San Suu Kyi in 2007.

In September 2006, the United States Congress voted to award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award which may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government. The actual ceremony and awarding of the medal took place on 17 October 2007. The Chinese Government has reacted angrily to the award, which it merely refers to as "the extremely wrong arrangements." Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said: "It seriously violates the norm of international relations and seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people and interfered with China's internal affairs."

In June 2007, the Dalai Lama made an Australian tour, delivering public talks in Perth, Bendigo, Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.

Despite protest from China, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the Dalai Lama in the Berlin Chancellery on 25 September 2007. The meeting was characterized as "private and informal talks" in order to avert potential retaliation by China such as the severance of trade ties. In response to the meeting, China cancelled meetings with German officials including Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries.

In October 1998, The Dalai Lama's administration acknowledged that it received $1.7 million a year in the 1960s from the U.S. Government through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and also trained a resistance movement in Colorado (USA). When asked by CIA officer John Kenneth Knaus in 1995 whether the organization did a good or bad thing in providing its support, the Dalai Lama replied that though it helped the morale of those resisting the Chinese, "thousands of lives were lost in the resistance" and further, that "the U.S. Government had involved itself in his country's affairs not to help Tibet but only as a Cold War tactic to challenge the Chinese."

British journalist Christopher Hitchens criticised Dalai Lama in 1998, questioned his alleged support for India's nuclear weapons testing, his statements about sexual misconduct, his suppression of Shugden worship, as well as his meeting Shoko Asahara, whose cult Aum Shinrikyo released sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subway system.

Retirement

In May 2007, Chhime Rigzing, a senior spokesman for the Tibetan spiritual leader's office, stated that the Dalai Lama wants to reduce his political burden as he moves into "retirement".

Rigzing stated "The political leadership will be transferred over a period of time but he will inevitably continue to be the spiritual leader because as the Dalai Lama, the issue of relinquishing the post does not arise."

The Dalai Lama announced he would like the elected Tibetan parliament-in-exile to have more responsibility over administration.

On 1 September 2007, China issued new rules controlling the selection of the next Dalai Lama which will virtually prevent his followers from choosing his reincarnation, since any reincarnation must bear the seal of approval by China's cabinet. These regulations could potentially result in one Dalai Lama approved by the Chinese government, and another chosen outside of Tibet. This would be similar to the present situation with the Panchen Lamas and Karmapas. In November 2007, Tashi Wangdi said the new rules mean nothing. "It will have no effect" said Wangdi. You can't impose a Pope. You can't impose an imam, an archbishop, saints, any religion… you can't politically impose these things on people. It has to be a decision of the followers of that tradition. The Chinese can use their political power: force. Again, it's meaningless."

During the 2008 unrest in Tibet, Gyatso called for calm and concurrently condemned Chinese violence. His call was met with Tibetan frustration at his methodology and goals and Chinese allegations that he himself incited the violence in order to ruin the 2008 Summer Olympics. In response to the continued violence perpetrated by Chinese as well as Tibetans, on March 18, 2008, Gyatso threatened to step down, a move unprecedented in the history of the office of the Dalai Lama. Aides later clarified that this threat was predicated on a further escalation of violence, and that he did not presently have the intention of leaving his political or spiritual offices. Many Tibetans expressed their support for the Dalai Lama, and the People's Republic of China intensified their propaganda campaign against him.

Bibliography

• 'The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book', endorsement in the book by Dr. Travis Bradberry ISBN 0743273265
• The Art of Happiness, co-authored with Howard C. Cutler, M.D. ISBN 0-9656682-9-0
• The Art of Happiness at Work, coauthored with Howard C. Cutler, M.D. ISBN 1-59448-054-0
• Mind in Comfort and Ease, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-493-8
• The World of Tibetan Buddhism, translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, foreword by Richard Gere, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-097-5
• The Compassionate Life,Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-378-8
• Ethics for the New Millennium, Riverhead Books, 1999, ISBN 1-57322-883-4
• A Simple Path, ISBN 0-00-713887-3
• Essence of the Heart Sutra, edited by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-284-6
• The Meaning of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect, Translated by Jeffrey Hopkins, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-173-4
• How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life, Translated and edited by Jeffrey Hopkins,

ISBN 0-7434-5336-0

• Kalachakra Tantra: Rite of Initiation, Edited by Jeffrey Hopkins, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-151-3
• A Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus, Translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-138-6
• Opening the Eye of New Awareness, Translated by Donald S. Lopez, Jr., Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-155-6
• Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama, London: Little, Brown and Co, 1990 ISBN 0-349-10462-X
• Imagine All the People: A Conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money, Politics, and Life as it Could Be, Coauthored with Fabien Ouaki, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-150-5
• An Open Heart, edited by Nicholas Vreeland. ISBN 0-316-98979-7
• The Gelug/Kagyü Tradition of Mahamudra, coauthored with Alexander Berzin. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1997, ISBN 1-55939-072-7
• Practicing Wisdom: The Perfection of Shantideva's Bodhisattva Way, translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Wisdom Publications, ISBN 0-86171-182-3
• The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Conversations and Journeys, coauthored with Victor Chan, Riverbed Books, 2004, ISBN 1-57322-277-1
• Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion, photographs by Phil Borges with sayings by Tenzin Gyatso. ISBN 0-8478-1957-4
• The Heart of Compassion: A Practical Approach to a Meaningful Life, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press, ISBN 0-940985-36-5
• Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the new millennium, Abacus Press, 2000, ISBN 0-349-11443-9
• My Tibet, coauthoured with Galen Rowell, ISBN 0-520-08948-0
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• Der Weg des Herzens. Gewaltlosigkeit und Dialog zwischen den Religionen (The Path of the Heart: Non-violence and the Dialogue among Religions), coauthored with Eugen Drewermann, Ph.D., Patmos Verlag, 2003, ISBN 3-4916-9078-1
• How to See Yourself As You Really Are, Translated and edited by Jeffrey Hopkins, Ph.D. ISBN 0-7432-9045-3
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• The New Physics and Cosmology: Dialogues with the Dalai Lama, edited by Arthur Zajonc, with contributions by David Finkelstein, George Greenstein, Piet Hut, Tu Wei-ming, Anton Zeilinger, B. Alan Wallace and Thupten Jinpa, Oxford University Press, 2004, ISBN 0-195-15994-2
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Awards and honors

The Dalai Lama has received numerous awards over his spiritual and political career. On 22 June 2006 he became one of only four people ever to be recognized with an Honorary Citizenship by the Canadian House of Commons. On 28 May 2005, he received the Christmas Humphreys Award from the Buddhist Society in the United Kingdom. Perhaps his most notable award was the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on 10 December 1989 (see below). Some other notable awards and honors he has received:

• Inaugural Hofstra University Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize on 24 March 2008
• Honorary Doctorate in chemistry and pharmacy from University of Münster on 20 September 2007
• Honorary Doctorate from Southern Cross University on 8 June 2007
• Presidential Distinguished Professorship from Emory University in February 2007.
• Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters conferred by the State University of New York at Buffalo in September 2006.
• Honorary citizenship of Canada in 2006.
• Honorary citizenship of Ukraine, during the anniversary of the Nobel Prize on 9 December 2006 in Mc Leod Ganj.
• United States Congressional Gold Medal on 27 September 2006
• Key to New York City from Mayor Bloomberg on 25 September 2005
• Honorary Fellowship of Liverpool John Moores University 27 May 2004
• Jaime Brunet Prize for Human Rights on 9 October 2003
• International League for Human Rights Award on 19 September 2003
• Life Achievement Award from Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization on 24 November 1999
• Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award from the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute on 4 June 1994
• World Security Annual Peace Award from the New York Lawyer's Alliance on 27 April 1994
• Berkeley Medal from University of California, Berkeley, on 20 April 1994
• Peace and Unity Awards from the National Peace conference on 23 August 1991
• Earth Prize from the United Earth and U.N. Environmental Program on 5 June 1991
• Advancing Human Liberty from the Freedom House on 17 April 1991
• Le Prix de la Memoire from the Fondation Danielle Mitterrand on 4 December 1989
• Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Award from the Congressional Rights Caucus Human Rights on 21 July 1989
• Key to Los Angeles from Mayor Bradley in September 1979.
• Key to San Francisco from Mayor Feinstein on 27 September 1979

Nobel Peace Prize

On 10 December 1989 the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the chairman of the Nobel committee said that the award was "in part a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi." The committee recognized his efforts in "the struggle of the liberation of Tibet and the efforts for a peaceful resolution instead of using violence." In his acceptance speech he criticized China for using force against student protesters during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. He stated however that their effort was not in vain. His speech focused on the importance of the continued use of non-violence and his desire to maintain a dialogue with China to try to resolve the situation.

Filmography

Examples of films recently made about Tenzin Gyatso:

• Dalai Lama Renaissance (2007) – documentary narrated by Harrison Ford
• 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama (2006) – documentary
• What Remains of Us (2004) – documentary
• Seven Years in Tibet (1997), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
• Kundun (1997), directed by Martin Scorsese
• Compassion in Exile: The Life of the 14th Dalai Lama (1993) – documentary

See also

• Central Tibetan Administration
• Tibetan Buddhism
• Tashi Wangdi, the Dalai Lama's Representative to the Americas.

References

1. Dalai Lama's birthplace was under control of ROC governor in Qinghai, Ma Bu-fang, See Li, T.T. "Historical Status of Tibet", Columbia University Press, p179 and Bell, Charles, "Portrait of the Dalai Lama", p399
2. "The Institution of the Dalai Lama" by R. N. Rahul Sheel in The Tibet Journal, Vol. XIV No. 3. Autumn 1989, pp. 19-32 says on pp. 31-32, n. 1: "The word Dalai is Mongolian for "ocean", used mainly by the Chinese, the Mongols, and foreigners. Rgya mtsho, the corresponding Tibetan word, always has formed the last part of the religious name of the Dalai Lama since Dalai Lama II . The expression Lama (Bla ma) means the "superior one". Western usage has taken it to mean the "priest" of the Buddhism of Tibet. The term Dalai Lama, therefore, means the Lama whose wisdom is as deep, as vast and as embracing as the ocean."
3. Goldstein, Melvyn C., A History of Modern Tibet, pp812-813
4. Grunfeld, A.T., The Making of Modern Tibet, p118
5. Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama (1990). Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-039116-2.
6. ^ Profile: The Dalai Lama from a BBC News website
7. Humanity, Not Nationalism from The Tech website
8. Craig, Mary (1997). Kundun: A Biography of the Family of the Dalai Lama. Counterpoint. ISBN 1-887178-91-0.
9. Dalai Lama Receives Congressional Gold Medal
10. Laird, Thomas (2006). The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama. Grove Press. Source: (accessed: January 31, 2008)
11. "China keeps tight lid on riot-hit areas". Agence France-Presse. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
12. "Dalai Lama - Speech to the U.N and Images of Tibet". Retrieved 2006-08-06.
13. "Cosmic Harmony". Dalai Lama Address to the United Nations.
14. Marcello, Patricia Cronin (2003). The Dalai Lama: A Biography. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313322074.
15. http://www.peaceabbey.org/awards/cocrecipientlist.html
16. Gyatso, Tenzin, Dalai Lama XIV, interview, 25 July 1981.
17. Goldstein, Melvyn C., A History of Modern Tibet, 1913-1951, University of California Press, 1989, pp812-813
18. Ngapoi recalls the founding of the TAR, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigmei, China View, 30 August 2005.
19. "Global Village News". Dalai Lama Considers Ending Exile & Return To Tibet.
20. Interview with The Guardian, September 5, 2003
21. "CNN.com". China keeps up attacks on Dalai Lama.
22. ^ Dalai Lama named Emory distinguished professor
23. Kamenetz,Rodger (1994)The Jew in the Lotus Harper Collins: 1994.
24. ReutersDalai Lama does not support Olympics Boycott
25. CNN Dalai Lama arrives in Japan
26. ^ Parenti, M. (2003). "Friendly feudalism: The Tibet myth". New Political Science. 25 (4). Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group: 579–590.
27. ^ "World News Briefs; Dalai Lama Group Says It Got Money From C.I.A." The New York Times. October 2, 1998.
28. Dalai Lama speaks "middle way" approach for Tibet's future
29. ^ Johann Hari (7 June, 2004). "Dalai Lama interview". The Independent. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
30. Introduction to the Middle-Way Policy and its History
31. CNN.com, Dalai Lama: China causing 'cultural genocide'
32. "Dalai Lama 'to resign' if violence worsens". CNN. 2008-03-18. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/18/tibet.unrest/index.html" ignored (help)
33. "China admits Tibet riots spread". CNN. 2008-03-20. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/20/tibet.unrest/index.html" ignored (help)
34. "Dalai Lama pleads for peaceful dialogue on Tibet". CNN. 2008-03-28. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/28/china.tibet/index.html" ignored (help)
35. "The Dalai Lama Foundation". Missions and Programs.
36. "Boston.com". The Buddha of suburbia.
37. The Dalai Lama's views on science and religion in an op-ed for The New York Times
38. The Buddhist religion and homosexuality at Religioustolerance.org
39. Dalai Lama Urges 'Respect, Compassion, and Full Human Rights for All,' Including Gays. Conkin, Dennis. Bay Area Reporter, June 19th, 1997
40. OUT Magazine February/March 1994
41. "Shambhala Sun - "According to Buddhist Tradition"". Retrieved 2008-04-06.
42. Dalai Lama meets Idaho’s religious leaders by Gary Stivers, www.sunvalleyonline.com, 15 September 2005
43. "The Dalai Lama: Tibet's leader-in-exile talks about the C.I.A., Saddam Hussein, Chinese terrorism, sex and his own violent impulses," by Claudia Dreifus. New York Times, Nov 28, 1993. p. SM52 by
44. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Address to the University at Buffalo
45. "Dalai Lama Campaigns to End Wildlife Trade". ENS. 8 April 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
46. Justin Huggler (18 February 2006). "Reports Fur Flies Over Tiger Plight". New Zealand Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
47. "Dissident Voice". Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth.
48. Tibet and China, Marxism, Nonviolence
49. Dalai Lama urges students to shape the world
50. Interview with CBC News, 16 April 2004
51. Gere, Richard (18 April 2005). "The 2005 TIME 100: The Dalai Lama". TIME Magazine. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
52. "Dalai Lama becomes honorary citizen". Victoria Times-Colonist. 10 September 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
53. Grudnikov, Karina. "Dalai Lama joins Wallenberg as Honorary citizen of Canada". International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
54. "Highest US civilian honour for Dalai Lama". The Times of India. 14 September 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
55. Associated Press, China warns that Dalai Lama's congressional award, Bush meeting could damage U.S.-Chinese ties, International Herald Tribune, 16 October 2007
56. "Merkel meets with the Dalai Lama". Euronews.net.
57. Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower
58. His material highness Salon.com article by Christopher Hitchens
59. "World Tibet Network News". His Holiness the Dalai Lama's view on India's Nuclear Tests.
60. "Dalai Lama: political retirement". Google (yahoo). Retrieved 2007-05-13.
61. BBC NEWS, New Chinese rules on Dalai Lama
62. Dalai Lama's representative talks about China, Tibet, Shugden and the next Dalai Lama, David Shankbone, Wikinews, November 14, 2007.
63. Dalai Lama calls for calm amid Tibet violence
64. Monks march as Dalai Lama condemns Beijing
65. Tibet's young exiles sick of passive approach
66. Tibetans criticise Dalai Lama's 'middle way'
67. China accuses Dalai Lama of 'inciting' Tibet riots to 'sabotage' Olympics
68. China says Dalai Lama trying to ruin Olympics
69. Uprising Spurns Dalai Lama's Way
70. Dalai Lama Threatens to Resign
71. Dalai Lama's threat shakes Buddhism
72. Can the Dalai Lama Resign?
73. Dalai Lama Threatens to Resign - TIME
74. China steps up verbal attacks on Dalai Lama over Tibet
75. List of awards
77. Public Law 109-287
78. Presentation Speech by Egil Aarvik, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
79. "The Nobel Prize". Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso).
80. "The Government of Tibet in Exile". His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Nobel Prize acceptance speech University Aula, Oslo, 10 December 1989.

External links

• The Website of The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Official site)
• Audio teachings of the Dalai Lama on many different topics
• Collection of teachings, speeches, and letters
• Prayers written by the Dalai Lama
• Dalai Lama Teachings
• Home of the 14th Dalai Lama in India
• The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy(TCHRD)
• Tenzin Gyatso Charlie Rose interview, 16 November 2005
• Life on the Tibetan Plateau: 14th Dalai Lama's Birthplace in Tibet
• The shadow of Dalai Lama

v t e Dalai Lamas
	Gendun Drup (1391–1474) Gendun Gyatso (1475–1542) Sonam (1543–1588) Yonten (1589–1617) Lozang (1617–1682) Tsangyang (1683–1706) Kelzang (1708–1757) Jamphel (1758–1804) Lungtok (1805–1815) Tsultrim (1816–1837) Khedrup (1838–1856) Trinley (1857–1875) Thubten (1876–1933) Tenzin (1935–present)
List of Dalai Lamas Gelug Yellow Hat sect Ganden Podrang Potala Palace Norbulingka

v t e Laureates of the Nobel Peace Prize
1901–1925	1901: Henry Dunant / Frédéric Passy 1902: Élie Ducommun / Charles Gobat 1903: Randal Cremer 1904: Institut de Droit International 1905: Bertha von Suttner 1906: Theodore Roosevelt 1907: Ernesto Moneta / Louis Renault 1908: Klas Arnoldson / Fredrik Bajer 1909: A. M. F. Beernaert / Paul Estournelles de Constant 1910: International Peace Bureau 1911: Tobias Asser / Alfred Fried 1912: Elihu Root 1913: Henri La Fontaine 1914 1915 1916 1917: International Committee of the Red Cross 1918 1919: Woodrow Wilson 1920: Léon Bourgeois 1921: Hjalmar Branting / Christian Lange 1922: Fridtjof Nansen 1923 1924 1925: Austen Chamberlain / Charles Dawes
1926–1950	1926: Aristide Briand / Gustav Stresemann 1927: Ferdinand Buisson / Ludwig Quidde 1928 1929: Frank B. Kellogg 1930: Nathan Söderblom 1931: Jane Addams / Nicholas Butler 1932 1933: Norman Angell 1934: Arthur Henderson 1935: Carl von Ossietzky 1936: Carlos Saavedra Lamas 1937: Robert Cecil 1938: Nansen International Office for Refugees 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944: International Committee of the Red Cross 1945: Cordell Hull 1946: Emily Balch / John Mott 1947: Friends Service Council / American Friends Service Committee 1948 1949: John Boyd Orr 1950: Ralph Bunche
1951–1975	1951: Léon Jouhaux 1952: Albert Schweitzer 1953: George C. Marshall 1954: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 1955 1956 1957: Lester B. Pearson 1958: Georges Pire 1959: Philip Noel-Baker 1960: Albert Luthuli 1961: Dag Hammarskjöld 1962: Linus Pauling 1963: International Committee of the Red Cross / League of Red Cross Societies 1964: Martin Luther King Jr. 1965: UNICEF 1966 1967 1968: René Cassin 1969: International Labour Organization 1970: Norman Borlaug 1971: Willy Brandt 1972 1973: Lê Đức Thọ (declined award) / Henry Kissinger 1974: Seán MacBride / Eisaku Satō 1975: Andrei Sakharov
1976–2000	1976: Betty Williams / Mairead Corrigan 1977: Amnesty International 1978: Anwar Sadat / Menachem Begin 1979: Mother Teresa 1980: Adolfo Pérez Esquivel 1981: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 1982: Alva Myrdal / Alfonso García Robles 1983: Lech Wałęsa 1984: Desmond Tutu 1985: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War 1986: Elie Wiesel 1987: Óscar Arias 1988: UN Peacekeeping Forces 1989: Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dalai Lama) 1990: Mikhail Gorbachev 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi 1992: Rigoberta Menchú 1993: Nelson Mandela / F. W. de Klerk 1994: Shimon Peres / Yitzhak Rabin / Yasser Arafat 1995: Pugwash Conferences / Joseph Rotblat 1996: Carlos Belo / José Ramos-Horta 1997: International Campaign to Ban Landmines / Jody Williams 1998: John Hume / David Trimble 1999: Médecins Sans Frontières 2000: Kim Dae-jung
2001–present	2001: United Nations / Kofi Annan 2002: Jimmy Carter 2003: Shirin Ebadi 2004: Wangari Maathai 2005: International Atomic Energy Agency / Mohamed ElBaradei 2006: Grameen Bank / Muhammad Yunus 2007: Al Gore / Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2008: Martti Ahtisaari 2009: Barack Obama 2010: Liu Xiaobo 2011: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf / Leymah Gbowee / Tawakkol Karman 2012: European Union 2013: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 2014: Kailash Satyarthi / Malala Yousafzai 2015: Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet 2016: Juan Manuel Santos 2017: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons 2018: Denis Mukwege / Nadia Murad 2019: Abiy Ahmed 2020: World Food Programme 2021: Maria Ressa / Dmitry Muratov 2022: Ales Bialiatski / Memorial / Center for Civil Liberties 2023: Narges Mohammadi 2024: Nihon Hidankyo

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