Biography

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The Chinese invasion of Tibet began by Chu-The, commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army, announcing his intention to free Tibet from American and British imperialists. This was to provoke and assess the reactions of Tibet and the international community. Then it was announced that Panchen Lama, the second highest Tibetan Buddhist incarnation, was in their hands and had given his wholehearted support to the liberation. Thereafter Mao Tse-tung gave provoking message to the Tibetans to overthrow the rule of Dalai Lama. But this move turned out to be unsuccessful. [br /]
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Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru though affirmed to support Tibet’s claim to self-government, reluctantly recognized the right of China’s suzerainty over Tibet. These actions shocked the Tibetan government because it was unexpected. Tibet seemed weak in resistance with India taking a neutral stance and the international community remaining silent, the Military intervention of Tibet became obvious under the inspiration of Mao-Tse-tung. The Tibetan army though by far outnumbered along with local khampas put up aggressive resistance and suffered 40,000 casualties, among them. Ngabo Ngawang the Governor General of Kham and commander in chief of the eastern command of Tibetan army chose to surrender rather than to fight. Now everybody urged Dalai Lama to take the throne. The solemn urge to the fifteen-year-old Kundun filled him with anxiety. "I knew nothing about the world and had no experience of politics. I protested at first that I was too young, for 18 was the accepted age for a Dalai Lama to take over active control from his regent. "But he was mature enough to understand the grave situation". We had reached a state in which most people were anxious to avoid responsibility rather than to accept it. We were more in need of unity than ever before, and I, as Dalai Lama, was the only person whom everybody in the country would unanimously follow." On November 17, 1950, Kundun, the supreme spiritual leader also became Tibet’s supreme temporal ruler. Now the safety of Dalai Lama was a matter of concern. National Assembly and the cabinet asked him to leave Lhasa as soon as possible. With this he left for the village in Chumbi valley on the Indian side, which was a day’s journey from the Indo–Chinese border.[br /]
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News spread swiftly and thousands of monks from monasteries along the route flung themselves before the horse’s hooves and begged not to leave them at the mercy of the Chinese. But when he explained calmly and promised to return soon, they silently permitted the caravan to proceed. Dalai Lama reached Chumbi valley on January 4, 1951 and seven months spent there were his happiest days of his life. But gloomy days were ahead for both Tibet and Dalai Lama. The Sino-Tibetan negotiation that began in April 1951 ended up with ‘seventeen points agreement’ in May. With the legitimate ‘seventeen-point agreement’ in effect, for the first time in life, Kundan felt the full weight of the formidable responsibilities and was worried that they would proliferate in near future. The Chinese quite naturally wanted Dalai Lama to return to Lhasa and for that they tried to convince him. But Dalai Lama suspected the Chinese. Though reluctant to go to Lhasa, he finally gave in to their wishes. "We were helpless, without friends there was nothing else we could do but acquiesce, submit to the Chinese dictates in spite of our strong opposition, we had to swallow our resentment. We could only hope that the Chinese would keep their side of this forced, one-side bargain." He returned to Lhasa on August 17, 1951.[br /]
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The Chinese now gradually planned to transform Tibet into a socialist state but were frustrated. Also their non-interference in monastic affairs and returning from land reforms fetched no good results. Wheels were set in motion to launch the Preparatory Committee for the formation of Tibet as an Autonomous Region. This was done to dilute the role of Dalai Lama from being the sole authority of Tibet to that of a mere titular head. But Dalai Lama was still optimistic as the committee consisted of 46 Tibetan members and only five Chinese members.[br /]
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The Dalai Lama said his only alternative was to make a sincere effort to guide Tibet’s destiny, which he made clear during the inauguration of the Preparatory Committee in April 1956. Though the scheme seemed attractive it soon became apparent that the committee’s aim was to undermine the power and authority of Dalai Lama and substitute for it, a system completely under the control of Peking (presently known as Beijing, the capital of China), under the guise of legal authority. Tibetans protested against the new formation. Posters were seen all over Lhasa declaring that "the Tibetan nation is facing danger as a candle light in a severe storm."[br /]
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By the end of 1955 armed revolt broke out in eastern Tibet. Dalai Lama was not aware of it as he had no representative in the government from that region. There was a life-threatening assault on Chinese foreign minister Chen-yi around this time; but he managed to escape, further aggravating the situation.[br /]
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The Dalai Lama became desperate. Though the guerillas fighting against People’s Liberation Army were dedicated, it was impossible to defeat the Chinese army. It was only the Tibetan children, women and the elderly, who were to suffer in that state. He said, "I was very despondent. The situation now had become even worse than it had been two years before. So far, all my attempts at a peaceful solution of one problem had come to nothing and with the preparatory committee a mere mockery of responsible government, I could see no better hopes of success in the future." His control over people seemed eroding further. "In the east they were being driven into barbarism. In central Tibet they were growing more determined to resort to violence, and I felt I would not be able to stop them much longer, even though I could not approve of violence and did not believe if it could possibly help us." He became helpless. "I knew the Chinese were trying to undermine my political authority, and in so far as I opposed the people’s violent tactics, I was helping the Chinese to destroy the people’s trust in me. Yet even if the people lost faith in me as their secular leader, they must not lose faith in me as religious leader, which was much more important. Thus I began to think it might be in the best interests of Tibet if I withdrew from all political activities, in order to keep my religious authority unaffected. To withdraw, I would have to leave the country. Bitterly and desperately I hated the idea."[br /]
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[b]ARRIVAL IN INDIA[/b][br /]
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Dalai Lama received an invitation on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti on the 2500th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Dalai Lama received a warm welcome from his friend Maharaj Kumar, the Prince of Sikkim and the Indian political officer based at Sikkim. Pleased with the cordial welcome accorded to him, he responded by saying, "I felt at home almost as if I were not in a foreign country at all." From Sikkim he moved to New Delhi where Prime Minister Nehru along with the Indian Vice President Dr. Radhakrishnan accorded a warm welcome to him. Indira Gandhi presented a bouquet of roses. Love and gentleness was all pervading. Next day Dalai Lama visited Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation. He expressed, "I felt I was in the presence of a noble soul the soul of the man who in his life was perhaps the greatest of our age, the man who had contended till death itself to preserve the spirit of India and mankind, a true disciple of Lord Buddha and a true believer in peace and harmony among men. As I stood there I wondered what wise counsel the Mahatma would have given me if he had been alive. I felt sure he would have thrown all his strength of will and character into a peaceful campaign for the freedom of the people of Tibet I wished fervently to have had the privilege of meeting him in this world. But, standing there, I felt I had come in close touch with him, and I felt his advice would always be that I should follow the path of peace. I had and still have unshaken faith in the doctrine of non-violence, which he preached and practiced. Now I made up my mind more firmly to follow his lead whatever difficulties might confront me. I determined more strongly than ever that I could never associate myself with acts of violence."[br /]
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The Dalai Lama, during his days in India, craved to talk to wise people to proclaim the teaching of Lord Buddha for world peace. He vowed to return to Tibet only after the Chinese respect their commitments in respect to the Autonomy of Tibet. He said, "For almost first time, I had met people who were not Tibetans but felt true sympathy for Tibet."[br /]
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The Dalai Lama told Nehru that he wanted to stay in India until the Tibetan independence was achieved by peaceful means. Nehru acknowledged patiently but had not acceded to all his requests at this critical juncture. However, he promised to discuss the matter with Chou Enlai, the Chinese Prime Minster as and when he would meet him.[br /]
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The Dalai Lama then began his tour of India. Apart from visiting Ajanta, Sanchi, Banaras, Sarnath and Bodha Gaya, he also visited new industrial projects like Bhakra Nangal hydroelectric project and the Indian parliament, a contrast to Peking’s system of administration.[br /]
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[b]RETURN TO LHASA[/b][br /]
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The Dalai Lama realized that his move of remaining outside Tibet was logical as his exile may focus world attention on the Tibetan situation and make things better there. Finally he left New Delhi as the condition in Tibet had become worse. Revolt had broken out in all of eastern Tibet. The Chinese were stunned and fearful about the revolt spreading to Lhasa. Now they needed the Dalai Lama’s help to suppress the revolt. Dalai Lama remarked, "The Chinese tried to do anything of a controversial nature in my name so as to give it a better chance of winning popular acceptance." But nothing helped and the rebellion continued. Since the return of the Dalai Lama in April 1957, the situation became worse day by day. The Dalai Lama, though safely back in Tibet, was unable to appeal for help to the outside world.[br /]
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The Chinese further tightened their stranglehold over Tibet. Once the Dalai Lama was deeply engaged in preparations for the final scholarly examination of his life, the geshe lharampa or director of metaphysics. At that moment two Chinese junior officers sent by General Tan Kuan-sen appeared to extend an invitation to him for a theatrical performance at the Chinese military camp. Their gesture was so irrational that it seemed more of a command than an invitation, deliberately done to insult and provoke Dalai Lama and through him, the Tibetan people in general. He remarked, "It had been one painful experience under the Chinese regime that I would have rather died, not have the option even to decline a social invitation if it did not suit me, except at the risk of incurring the displeasure of the Chinese and causing unpleasant repercussion. Their annoyance in such a case always found in some other direction, and so we thought it wiser, in the interest of the country, to suffer such minor humiliations in silence rather than risk a further stiffening of the general Chinese polices of relegating me and my government to a position of subordination."[br /]
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When people knew about this visit of the Dalai Lama, rumors swept throughout Lhasa that the Chinese had a plan to kidnap the Dalai Lama. Repeated urgings by the Chinese to the Dalai Lama to attend a meeting of the Chinese National Assembly in Peking the following month fueled the passionate fears further. Also the announcement on radio confirming the trip of Dalai Lama without the latter’s consent agitated the minds of the Tibetans further. On the day of the Dalai Lama’s trip, thousands of people gathered to stop him from going to the Chinese camp. The mob became violent. Finally announcement was made that the Dalai Lama is not attending the theatrical performance. But there was no doubt there was danger to his life. Yet the Dalai Lama seemed firm enough not to flee from the place. "I was not afraid of being one of the victims of the Chinese attack. I honestly believe that my strict religious training has given me enough strength to face the prospect of leaving my present body without any apprehension. I felt then, as I always feel, that I am only a mortal being and an instrument of the never dying spirit of my master, and that the end of one mortal frame is not of any great consequence. To them the person of the Dalai Lama was supremely precious. They believed the Dalai Lama represented Tibet and the Tibetan way of life, something dearer to them than anything else. They were convinced that if my body perished at the hand of the Chinese, the Life of Tibet would also come to an end."[br /]
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[b]ESCAPE TO FREEDOM[/b][br /]
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But the fact that he had to leave Lhasa at any cost became imminent. It was to be a flight to freedom. Arrangements were made accordingly and it was kept secret due to its very nature. The Dalai Lama visited Makala Temple and remarked, "I had always gone there to say goodbye when I went on long journey. Monks were still there, offering their constant prayers, and they did not know what was about to happen, but I offered a scarf at the altar as a symbol of farewell. I knew they would wonder why I did so but I also knew they would never express their surprise".[br /]
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After returning to his quarters he dressed himself as a Tibetan soldier and visited the prayer room for the last time. Sitting on his throne he read the book of Buddha’s teachings for a while. Then closing the book he blessed the room and made a silent exit and a flight to freedom.[br /]
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Finally when he reached his destination he remembered, "There was nothing dramatic about or crossing of the frontier. The country was equally wild on the other side and uninhabited. I saw it in a daze of sickness and weariness and unhappiness deeper than I can express." It was March 31, 1959 then.[br /]
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[b]THE DHARAMSHALA[/b][br /]
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The Destination was Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Some 80,000 Tibetan refugees followed him. Since 1960, the Dalai Lama is residing with more than one hundred thousand followers at Dharamshala, also known as "Little Lhasa", the place and temporary abode of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.[br /]
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During exile the Dalai Lama appealed to the United Nations on the Autonomy of Tibet. The General Assembly adopted three resolutions in 1959, 1961 and 1965 through which the China was called to respect human rights of Tibetans. The Dalai Lama in 1963 promoted a democratic constitution which was based on Buddhist principles and teaching for a free Tibet in near future.[br /]
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At the age of fifty, at Dharamshala he seemed calm and quiet, "So far I have spent my best years, the cream of my life, as a refugees, serving our country, our people. Anyway, it is something sad, I think". But suddenly he wakes up from his deep sleep, "I do not want to be like a Tito. It’s better to retire at an early age. Mahatma Gandhi I admire: before India won her independence he was the leading figure, but afterwards he chose to remain outside the government. In the future my personal wish is to relinquish if possible, my political responsibilities, and in some remote pleasant place, practice yoga and meditation and study the teaching of Lord Buddha".[br /]
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Though there was nothing remarkable about the birth, the father of the child got cured of his illness on the day his son was born. Also a rainbow had shone upon the house, as remarked by some observers.[br /]
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Sonam Tsomo and Chekyong, the mother and the father respectively, of the child Lhamo had 16 children and only seven survived. Sonam Tsomo, in her teens took full responsibility of the household. Father Choekyong generally avoided farm work. His only interest was in horses. He was mostly concerned with the pea-crop used as fodder for horses.[br /]
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Lhamo as an infant boy used to go to the fields with his mother piggyback. When his mother used to milk the Dzomos the Tibetan Cow, Lhamo used to carry a wooden bowl to have warm, fresh milk, which he was fond of. He was assigned the job of going to the chicken coop to collect eggs. One day he lost his way from the field and was found perched in one of the nesting boxes clucking like hen.[br /]
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Lhamo loved his mother very much. Like his father, Lhamo was spirited, stubborn and mischievous, and would become furious when denied things of his choice. Seeing people or even animals fighting was intolerable for him and he often grabbed a stick to defend the weaker one. He was afraid of horses and avoided riding, unlike his father.[br /]
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After the discovery, the child "Lhamo" was taken to the Kumbum monastery where he was put under the care of Changchub Jimpa, his paternal uncle. The Tutor at the monastery was not aware of the child Lhamo and treated him as he treated the other boys in the monastery.[br /]
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The Kumbum monastery region was under the Chinese General Ma Pu-feng. He was a greedy and cruel man who succeeded the Governorship by bribing in gold. He was not ready to release the child from Kumbum monastery unless he was paid one hundred thousand silver coins. But that was not enough for the greedy General. Finally after paying some more money and a year of negotiation the child was brought to the holy city of Lhasa. The child Lama was just four at that time.[br /]
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Everybody who had known the 13th Dalai Lama, was astonished by the fact that the young boy seemed to recognize the close associates of his predecessor, by the "unparalleled steadiness of his vision". This divinity and ethereal love never seen before had great significance. It seemed that the Dalai Lama had a strong will to adapt himself to exercise the privileges of his throne. An eyewitness, a monk recalled, "The main impression produced was the remarkable interest of the child in the proceedings, his presence and his meticulous skill in doing the right thing, to the right person, at the right time."[br /]
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Thus at the age of four and a half, he was formally recognized as the 14th Incarnation of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet.[br /]
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Approximately 700 feet above the valley of Lhasa is Potala the Mecca or Vatican of Tibetan Buddhism and winter palace of Dalai Lama. Potala being inaccessible to visitors and mainlanders alike lost its pre-eminent position of being classified as one of the wonders of the world. It was here, that the four and a half year old Lhamo came to live in February 1940 with only his brother Lobsang accompanying him. After a year of joyful and unrestricted activity, both the brothers were placed on a regular schedule and with this began their conventional education.[br /]
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After almost eight years of companionship, Lobsang left Potala to live with his parents. Kundun (Dalai Lama’s name at Potala), at the age of 12, was effectively isolated from his family for the first time. Further, with this isolation, he was forced to focus his energies more on religious studies and meditative practices. He was assigned to start a study on 108 massive volumes of the Kangyue, the Tibetan Buddhist Gita containing the teachings of Lord Buddha. In spite of his initial reluctance to his new curriculum, Kundun soon started enjoying and deriving great satisfaction from all that he learned. He said, "I had the first of these initiations when I was eight, and I still remember it vividly, and the feeling of peace and happiness it brought me. At each of the latter ceremonies, I could feel the spiritual experience, which has always been associated with them. My belief and faith in my religion became deeper, the assurance in my mind that I was following the right path, became firmer." By the age of 15, he seemed more mature to these experiences and felt a spontaneous feeling within himself of gratitude to the Buddha. He said, "I also felt an immense debt to those teachers, mostly Indians, who had given the Tibetans their invaluable religious doctrines, and to those Tibetan scholars who had interpreted and preserved them in our language. I began to think less of myself, and more of others and became aware of the concept of compassion. It was this sense of spiritual elevation, which was attended on the mental plane by a sense of improved intellect, by better powers of memory, greater proficiency in debate, and increased self-confidence."[br /]
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Deep involvement in religious studies was not enough for Kundun and his desire for the knowledge of outside world, led him to read the only Tibetan language newspaper called Tibet Mirror. He was mostly fascinated by the accounts of Second World War. He was thrilled to see the pictures of war vehicles, tanks, armored cars, trucks, jeeps, and airplanes. Kundun became familiar with Eisenhower, Churchill, Roosevelt, Montgomery, Hitler etc. The British Mission used to send him the copies of London Illustrated News and Life Magazine.[br /]
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Kundun’s crave for knowledge was not limited to books and he had an aptitude for mechanical things. He meticulously studied everything he found; how was it made ? how did it work ? and what was the purpose ?[br /]
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General Chu Teh, Vice-chairman of the newly formed People’s Republic of China, was also a Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. In August 1949, he claimed that Tibet was part of China and would march into Tibet to free Tibet from foreign imperialists. This was a death warrant for Tibetan independence. The 14th Dalai Lama was barely in his teens, politically immature, dependent only on his advisers. He had little chance of uniting the country.[br /]
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Further on August 15, 1950 a disastrous earthquake reverberated across Tibet, leaving damage and terror throughout. Thousands of people lost their lives as it was said to have been one of the five largest earthquakes ever recorded. Monks considered it to be an evil omen. Also a comet was seen blazing through the sky for several nights, which reminded last comet, which was the precursor of war with China. Abnormal births were reported, oracles made dire predictions. The Tibetan government felt the need to mobilize the spiritual force of religion, which was the most powerful element in the life of the country. Thus, new ordinances were passed and if required, large sum of money was made available. Scriptures were read aloud daily at public services. But on October 7, 1950, when in India negotiations were going on between the Tibetan officials and the Chinese officials, the Communists attacked Tibet from eight different directions.[br /]
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A great religious reformer was born in northeastern Tibet in the middle of the 14th century named Tsong-ka-pa meaning. "The Man from the Land of onions". He insisted on celibacy of the priesthood and forbid of alcohol and preached the observance of the laws of discipline. His followers were called Ge-luk-pas’ "Those on the way of virtue". Tsong-ka-pa prescribed yellow hats for his priests, to distinguish them from the red hats of the previous sects. Dalai Lama being the head Ge-luk-pas has constituted the most powerful sect in the last 300 years in Tibet. His imprints on Tibetan Buddhism compelled the Tibetans to call him the Second Buddha.[br /]
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Thus, started the line of Dalai Lamas. At the end of the 14th century, one day, Lotus Thunderbolt, was born to a herdsman ‘Protecting Thunderbolt. That very night robbers struck and his mother Sky Happiness hid Lotus between stones and fled away and when she came back next morning, she found her baby alive and a crow guarding him. This revealed the boy’s greatness. As a boy, he was strong and healthy having broad forehead and prominent nose. He became a monk at a young age and wrote books free from three faults - More, Less and Mistakes. Due to his Spiritual Power he was called "The Perfector of the Priesthood", a leading priest. He founded two chief Monasteries in Tibet. Drepung "The Rice heap" became the largest monastery in the world and Ta-shi Lhun-po, "The Mount of Blessing", which became the residence of Ta-shi Lama, a great spiritual force as Dalai Lama. The Perfector of the Priesthood became the priest of Rice heap and was said to attain Buddhahood.[br /]
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After some years of his death, his spirit passed on to another priest who accordingly became his successor in the monastery. Here came the germ of a great change. People were accustomed to live life, going up and down in the scale according to their merits (good deeds) and demerits (bad deeds) of past lives. Buddhahood, return to the world no more was a rare case.[br /]
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The third high priest converted many Mongols to Tibetan Buddhism and from them received the Mongolian title of Dalai Lama i.e. "All-embracing Lama", a title enjoyed by all his successors. The Dalai Lama is also regarded as an incarnation of Chen-re-zi, the patron Deity of Tibet. In India such a one is called Bodhisattva, meaning a person in the process of obtaining Buddhahood. To alleviate the suffering of the world, Dalai Lama’s entry into Buddhahood is postponed, they believe.[br /]
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The fifth in line of Dalai Lama was a forceful young incarnation of high Spiritual sense, which influenced a powerful Mongol chief. The Mongol chief invaded Tibet, overthrew the king of Tsang and this young high Priest became the sovereign of all Tibet in 1641. He became a supreme power and the system of Dalai Lama had been formally established by then. The religious leaders who were anciently priests had now become secular rulers and kings. Thus, the Dalai Lama became priest, king and also God.[br /]
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The fifth Dalai Lama recognized his old teacher to be the second incarnate Lama. Ta-shi Lhunpo, the monastery of the first Dalai Lama was given to him and he was also declared the father of spiritual son Chan-re-zi incarnated in Dalai Lama himself.[br /]
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Thus, the fifth became known as "The Great Fifth". Sometimes the seventh is also called "The Great Seventh". Today, the fifth Dalai Lama and his Chief Minister initially arranged the administration that is prevalent in Tibet today.[br /]
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The most important rule for Dalai Lama is that he should be brought up entirely by male sex. Celibacy was strictly followed from the very first Dalai Lama except the sixth one.[br /]
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"The Great Fifth" then handed powers to his Chief Minister and when in 1860 the "Fifth" died, the Chief Minister did not reveal his death in order to enjoy the Dalai Lama’s authority. For nine years, he kept on saying that Lama was in spiritual solitude and so nobody should disturb him. This delayed the public announcement of the sixth Dalai Lama who was already in his teens, till with normal upbringing. This resulted in his acquaintance with excessive worldly pleasures. He drank wine and was most of the time in the company of girls. He built temples and composed songs. Temples of serpent god made by him is one of the best beauty spots of Lhasa.[br /]
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The remaining Dalai Lamas, except the 13th and the last one, need less attention. The 13th was the first and the last to exercise supreme power. After the 13th one, the intervention of countries like China and Britain had gradually devolved the powers of Dalai Lamas. [br /]
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His holiness Thupten Gyatso, the thirteenth Dalai Lama passed away into the so-called Heavenly Fields at the age of 50. Sadness swept throughout Tibet. Everybody went into mourning. Everybody was hopeful that the 13th Dalai Lama would soon find a suitable body, to be reborn. The political situation had worsened, as there had been conventional skirmishes on the eastern frontier with China, which was not ready to accept Tibetan autonomy in spite of their expulsion from Tibet two decades ago. Lungshae, a high-ranking official was punished for his involvement in a plot to overthrow the government and the reaction to this act was severe. Due to this, everybody was awaiting Dalai Lama’s rebirth.[br /]
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The Prominent Lake Lhamoi Latso was once again in the limelight as in past its crystal water and mystical power had helped finding Dalai Lamas since the second Dalai Lama was found. Tibetan letters a, ka and ma vanished after appearing suddenly. Further contemplation by a regent revealed figures of three storeyed temples and mountains. Now the help of Nechung Oracle was needed. After a hectic process the oracle murmured things, which were noted down by a monk. With this, three search parties left for the search of the 14th Dalai Lama.[br /]
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Kyitsang Rinpoche, the regent, along with his three original attendants headed toward Taktser and at a place they saw a typical Tibetan house, which was undoubtedly to them, the one seen in the waters of the Sacred Lake. The child in the house gave signs of incarnation. Also the letters a, ka and ma had significance which had appeared at the lake. a indicated province of Amdo, ka for Kumbum monastery and ma the second letter of the hermitage.[br /]
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Thus, it was established that infant Lhamo Dhondup was the true incarnation of Dalai Lama and was born to Choekyong Tsering and Sonam Tsomo on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Tibetan Wood Hog Year i.e. on July 6, 1935, who later on became "His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso", the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.[br /]
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[b]•[/b] "Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day."
[b]•[/b] "In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher."
[b]•[/b] Compassion is not religious business, it is human business,it is not luxury,
it is essential for our own peace and mental stability,it is essential for human survival.
[b]•[/b] "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."[br /]
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[b]Happiness[/b][br /]
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[b]•[/b] "I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…"[br /]
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[b]Compassion[/b][br /]
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[b]•[/b] "I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment – although it is generally present – but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one’s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears – because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment – and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever."[br /]
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[b]Confronting Problems[/b][br /]
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[b]•[/b] "In our daily lives problems are bound to arise. The biggest problems in our lives are the ones that we inevitably have to face, like old age, illness, and death. Trying to avoid our problems or simply not thinking about them may provide temporary relief, but I think that there is a better approach. If you directly confront your suffering, you will be in a better position to appreciate the depth and nature of the problem. If you are in a battle, as long as you remain ignorant of the status and combat capability of your enemy, you will be totally unprepared and paralyzed by fear. However, if you know the fighting capability of your opponents, what sort of weapons they have and so on, then you’re in a much better position when you engage in war. In the same way, if you confront your problems rather than avoid them, you will be in a better position to deal with them." [br /]
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[b]RECOGNITION AND AWARDS[/b][br /]
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The Dalai Lama, visited the West for the first time in 1973. Since then many Western Universities and Institutions have conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on him for his valuable writings in Buddhist philosophy and several peace awards for issues, such as human rights and global environmental problems etc. Most important and the first to mentioned is the "1989 Nobel Peace Prize". The Norwegian Nobel committee read the Citation, "The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the life of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people."[br /]
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[b]Major awards conferred on His Holiness the Dalai Lama are:[/b][br /]
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LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD[br /]

Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization, Jerusalem, Israel 24 November, 1999[br /]
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JULIET HOLLISTER AWARD[br /]

New York, USA 5 May, 1998[br /]
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HONORARY DEGREE [br /]

Brandies University, Boston, USA 8 May, 1998[br /]
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HONORARY DEGREE [br /]

Emory University, Atlanta, USA 11 May, 1998[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY [br /]

Sun Yat-sen University, Chungshan, Taiwan 23 March, 1997[br /]
[br /]

SPIRIT OF THE DREAM [br /]

THE INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF BLUES FOUNDATION [br /]

Hollywood, Ca, USA 15 January, 1996[br /]
[br /]

ROOSEVELT FOUR FREEDOMS AWARD [br /]

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute ,Middelburg, Holland 4 June, 1994[br /]
[br /]

WORLD SECURITY ANNUAL PEACE AWARD [br /]

New York Lawyer’s Alliance, New York, USA 27 April, 1994[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF HUMAN ARTS AND LETTERS [br /]

Columbia University, New York, USA 26 April, 1994[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF HUMAN LETTERS [br /]

Berea College, USA 25 April, 1994[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY FELLOW [br /]

Hebrew University,Jerusalem, Israel 20 March, 1994[br /]
[br /]

FIRST PRIZE FOR HUMANITY [br /]

Sartorius Foundation, Germany 13 June, 1993[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS[br /]

St Andrews University ,St Andrews, U.K. 14 May, 1993[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS [br /]

Aberdeen University ,Aberdeen, U.K. 13 May, 1993[br /]
[br /]

DEGREE OF DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA [br /]

Pontifica Universidade Catolica de Dao Paulo, Brazil 10 June, 1992[br /]
[br /]

DEGREE OF LITERATURE [br /]

Andra University, Visakapatnam, India 5 January, 1992[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY DOCTORATE OF LAWS[br /]

Melbourne University ,Australia 5 May, 1992[br /]
[br /]

SHIROMANI AWARD [br /]

Shiromani Institute,Delhi, India 25 March, 1991[br /]
[br /]

PEACE AND UNITY AWARDS[br /]

National Peace Conference ,New Delhi, India 23 August, 1991[br /]
[br /]

WHEEL OF LIFE AWARD [br /]

The Temple of Understanding,New York, USA 10 October, 1991[br /]
[br /]

EARTH PRIZE[br /]

United Earth and U. N. Environmental Program, New York, USA 5 June, 1991[br /]
[br /]

DISTINGUISHED PEACE [br /]

LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR 1991[br /]

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation,Santa Barbara, USA 6 April, 1991[br /]
[br /]

ADVANCING HUMAN LIBERTY [br /]

Freedom House, New York, USA 17 April, 1991[br /]
[br /]

DEGREE OF DOCTORATE LITERATURE [br /]

Karnataka University, Dharwad, India 8 December, 1990[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION [br /]

Bologna University, Bologna, Italy June, 1990[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF DIVINITY [br /]

Central Institute of High [br /]

Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, India 4 January, 1990[br /]
[br /]

LE PRIX DE LA MEMORIE [br /]

Foundation Danielle Mitterrand, Paris, France 4 December, 1989[br /]
[br /]

IN RECOGNITION OF PERSEVERANCE OF TIMES OF ADVERSITY [br /]

World Management Council, USA 23 September, 1989[br /]
[br /]

LE PRIX DE MEMORIE [br /]

Foundation of France [br /]

Danielle Mitterand, Paris, France 12 April, 1989[br /]
[br /]

RAOUL WALLENBERG HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS [br /]

Congressional Rights Caucus Human Rights,[br /]

Washington, D.C., USA 21 July, 1989[br /]
[br /]

DR. LEOPOLD LUCAS PRIZE [br /]

University of Tubingen, Germany 16 June, 1988[br /]
[br /]

THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER HUMANITARIAN AWARD [br /]

The Human Behavioral Foundation, [br /]

New York, USA 28 February, 1987[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA [br /]

University of Paris, France 16 January, 1984[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY CITIZEN [br /]

The City of Wheaton, Illinois, USA 21 July, 1981[br /]
[br /]

LIBERTY TORCH [br /]

Gilbert di Lucia, [br /]

New York, USA 19 October, 1979[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF HUMANITIES[br /]

Seattle University, USA 4 October, 1979[br /]
[br /]

KEY TO LOS ANGELES [br /]

The Mayor Tom Bradley September, 1979[br /]
[br /]

KEY TO SAN FRANCISCO [br /]

The Mayor Feinstein 27 September, 1979[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY [br /]

Oriental Studies, UCLA, USA 22 September, 1979[br /]
[br /]

HONORARY CITIZENSHIP [br /]

The Mayor of Houston, Texas 17 September, 1979[br /]
[br /]

DOCTOR OF DIVINITY [br /]

Carol College, Waukesha, USA 17 September, 1979[br /]
[br /]

SPECIAL MEDAL [br /]

The Asian Buddhist Council for Peace, Mongolia 17 June, 1979[br /]
[br /]

PLAKETT AWARD [br /]

Norwegian Refugee Council for His Holiness’ contribution towards Refugee work, Norway[br /]
[br /]

THE LINCOLN AWARD [br /]

Research Institute of America for His Holiness’ distinguished leadership in the service of freedom, USA 23 January, 1960[br /]
[br /]

THE ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD [br /]

MEMORIAL AWARD USA 16 September, 1959[br /]
[br /]

THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD TO COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP[br /]

Philippines 31 August, 1959[br /]
[br /]
[br /]