The 14th Dalai Lama: A Prism of Clarity

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism

When visiting my sister recently, I came upon a unique picture on the wall of her studio. On it was written a philosophical observation; an astute insight of our times by the current spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama:

The Paradox of Our Age

We have the biggest houses but smaller families;

more conveniences but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense;

more knowledge, but less judgement;

more medicines, but less healthiness.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back;

but have trouble crossing the street to meet our neighbor.

We built more computers to hold more

information to produce more copies than ever;

but have less communication.

We have become long on quantity;

but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods; but slow digestion;

tall men but short character;

steep profits but shallow relationships.

It’s a time when there is much in the windows,

but nothing in the room.

Curious to learn more about this spiritual guru, I began a search into Tibetan Buddhism. This post, however, is not to bury deep into the religion, but to lightly touch on the history of Buddhism to better comprehend the peaceful direction and inspiration of our subject.

Buddha

According to legend, Buddhism was founded in the late 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Guatma or Buddha (enlightened one), the warrior son of royalty from the Himalayan foothills.

When participating in a chariot race one day, Siddhartha suddenly realized his life was radically different from the suffering and horrors of others. With a heavy heart he abandoned his home and family to dwell in the forest until he could come up with a solution. Why is man a pleasure seeker? Why does pain interfere with pleasure? Life is transitory , pain a constant. After nearly starving himself to death, he reconciled, ate and within 6 months of solitude attained “Nirvana Enlightenment” or the answers to the cause and effect of suffering and its permanent release.

From that moment on Buddha and his followers began to teach the compassion for suffering by exemplifying The Four Nobel Truths, 8 Fold Plan and principles of the Middle Way: rejection of all extremes, emotions, action, lifestyle and the cultivation of mental and emotional equanimity through meditation and morality.

The Birth and Succession of a Leader

Tibetan Buddhism was established in the 8th century AD from a combination of Buddhism and native Tibetan theology; its spiritual leader of the Gelug or Yellow Hat School being the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lamas are considered to be the manifestations of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattvas of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. All sacred monks are inspired to attain Buddahood for the benefit of every sentient being. They are reborn into the world to help humanity.

It is the Buddhists belief that their leader, the Dalai Lama, is able to choose the body into which he is to be reincarnated. Should His Holiness die before a new selection is made, it is then up to the High Lamas of the Gelug tradition and Tibetan government to seek and find the next Dalai Lama.

Tenzin Gyatso, born July 6, 1935, is the current and foremost spiritual leader of Tibet. Formally known as Lhamo Dhondup, he was taken from his family at the age of 2 as the miraculous reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Theiblin Gyatso. This precious child began his monastic education at the age of 6. The curriculum he had to master came from the Nalanda tradition of 5 major/ minor subjects with emphasis on the fine arts, Sanskrit grammar, medicine and Buddhist philosophy.

In 1950, at the young age of 15, his Holiness was enthroned as the temporal leader of Tibet after the Communist regime in China invaded his country for its rich natural resources and strategic border with India. In 1951, China’s brutal occupation became permanent. By 1959 hostilities grew to a boiling point. Fearing for his life His Holiness’s escaped Tibet and sought asylum in Dharamsala, India where he remains to this day. His Holiness refuses to go back to Tibet as long as the Chinese remain.

The Dalai Lama Today

Now 84 years strong, the 14th Dalai Lama, a moral and courageous activist for peace, has brilliantly orchestrated his position world wide as an influential spiritual leader and political advocate, albeit from India, not only for the well-being of the Tibetan people and the traditions they hold dear but peace and tranquility for all of humanity and preserving our precious earth. “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” – His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

His Holiness still continues to advocate friendship with the Chinese people and cooperation and dialogue with the Chinese government for peaceful co-existence even though the atheistic doctrine of communism is in direct odds with Buddhism and its leaders desperate to undermine the Dalai Lama’s credibility and power.

In and interview in 1969 His Holiness optimistically commented: “Whether or not a reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be recognized was a decision for the Tibetan People, the Mongolians and the people of the Himalayan regions to make.” However in his 2004 interview with Time Magazine, His Holiness’s attitude towards the subject of reincarnation became one of conciliatory sadness: “The institution of the Dalai Lama, and whether it should continue or not, is up to the Tibetan people. If they feel it is not relevant, then it will cease and there will be no 15th Dalai Lama. But if I die today I think they will want another Dalai Lama. The purpose of reincarnation is to fulfill the previous [incarnation’s] life task. My life is outside Tibet, therefore my reincarnation will logically be found outside. But then, the next question: Will the Chinese accept this or not? China will not accept. The Chinese government most probably will appoint another Dalai Lama, like it did with the Panchen Lama. Then there will be two Dalai Lamas: one, the Dalai Lama of the Tibetan heart, and one that is officially appointed.”

Achievements

The 14th Dalai Lama, The Man of Peace, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989 for his non-violent struggle for Tibet’s liberation and for global environmental issues. He has traveled to 67 countries stretching 6 continents, accumulated over 150 awards and accolades and authored or co-authored 110 soul searching books.

His Holiness’s appreciation for the harmony of science and religion has encouraged a collaborative effort with world renowned scientists and Buddhist monks to help individuals achieve peace of mind. Because of this effort Modern Science has been added to the curriculum of Tibetan monastic institutions.

Conclusion

Peace and stability are ambitious goals, be it for family, community or country. Simple as it seems, the caveat lies with who, when and how these means will be achieved. Religion has taken the lead throughout world history in its manifestation of spiritual leaders to help mankind survive and live in peace and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is one such divine.