He is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people.Unlike leaders of the other countries, he does not achieve his position by succession, election, appointment, or force. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born on 6 July 1935 at Tak-Tse of Doemey Province in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is held in the highest regard by many in international community for the values he espouses, values which transcend any particular religious affiliation. He has met with many leaders and government officials throughout the world to convey his message. His message is one of kindness and compassion to all sentient beings. The Dalai Lama is known throughout the world as a leading advocate for world peace and non-violence. Although the primary teachings at Namgyal are Geluk, Namgyal Monastery is non-sectarian, and the monks are trained in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in the rituals associated with the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism, the Nying-ma. The Dalai Lama is the lineage holder of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya, Nying-ma, Kaygu, and Geluk. In 1989, His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his unwavering commitment to a non-violent resolution with the Chinese government. His Holiness continues to be the spiritual leader not only for Tibetans, but for many Buddhists from all over the world. Graduates of Namgyal were trained to assist the Dalai Lama in the many elaborate religious rituals that he performed throughout any given year.ĭue to the Chinese communist invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was forced to escape from Lhasa in 1959, at which time he relocated to Dharamsala, India, along with Namgyal Monastery. The original Namgyal was founded in the 16th century by the second Dalai Lama to serve as a training institute for monks. Historically, Namgyal Monastery has had a very intimate relationship with the Dalai Lamas. Not only has the Dalai Lama served as a spiritual teacher to hundreds of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists, but he has also guided the Tibetan people as a political leader through the tumultuous times of the communist invasion and occupation of Tibet, and through their journey into life in exile. Our present Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the 14th in this line of succession. It is believed that this cherished being has been reincarnated again and again for hundreds of years. The Dalai Lama is recognized to be the earthly manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion. The lineage of the Dalai Lamas is the most important spiritual lineage to the Tibetan people and to Tibetan Buddhists in the Himalayan region and throughout the world. The Chinese government rejected this and asserted that only it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama. He has indicated that the institution of the Dalai Lama may be abolished in the future, and also that the next Dalai Lama may be found outside Tibet and may be female. The 14th Dalai Lama remained the head of state for the Central Tibetan Administration (“Tibetan government in exile”) until his retirement on March 14, 2011. The line of Dalai Lamas began as a lineage of spiritual teachers the 5th Dalai Lama assumed political authority over Tibet.įor certain periods between the 17th century and 1959, the Dalai Lamas sometimes directed the Tibetan government, which administered portions of Tibet from Lhasa. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence. According to Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, the Dalai Lama is the rebirth in a line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. The name is a combination of the Sino-Mongolian word dalai meaning “big sea” and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning “guru, teacher”. The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsongkhapa (1357–1419).
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