Today we take it easy and peaceful while we talk about the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhist people. According to the Gulag school of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be the successor in a line of two looks. An entity who embodies the compassion of all buddhas. The name is a combination of the Mongolic word Dalai which means ocean or big. And the Tibetan word lama which means master or guru. The institution of the Dalai Lama is a relatively recent one.
There have only been 14 Dalai lamas in the history of Buddhism. And the 1st and 2nd Dalai Lama’s were given the title posthumously. But hold on here there are several things we need to reveal and explain in order for you to get the proper insight on a matter. So let’s skip the intro and talk about the 15 interesting facts you didn’t know about the Dalai Lama.
1. A Compassionate Being’s Relationship With Tibet Is The Reason For The Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama exists because a compassionate being has a special relationship with the people of Tibet in Central Asian Buddhist countries. It is believed that the entity of all Akita’s para a deity of compassion has a special relationship with the people of Tibet. It decided to be reborn again to continue its important work. Thus reincarnating in benevolent rulers and teachers according to some legends its first incarnation in Tibet’s early kings and emperors. Such as song stan campo but later on, Tibetans extrapolated it. Including the Dalai lamas in the reincarnation succession line. It is the book of Kadam which is the main text of the Kadampa school that states nowadays.
2. The Dalai Lama Is A Important Religious And Political Figure
The Dalai Lama is an important religious and political figure. The Dalai Lama is important for many reasons. He’s a symbol of the unification of Tibet and represents the Buddhist values and traditions. He is the ecumenical figure that possesses religious authority beyond religious disparity and sectarian boundaries. Furthermore, from 1642 until 1705 the Dalai lama’s or their regions headed the Tibetan government in Lhasa. The government that led most of the Tibetan Plateau in an attempt to complete Tibet’s sovereignty. They did not manage to obtain this sovereignty because it was rejected by the Republic of China.
3. The 14Th Dalai Lama Comes From A Modest Family
The 14th Dalai Lama comes from a modest family. The recent Dalai Lama is named Tenzin Gyatso but his birth name was Lama Sandip. He was born on July 6, 1935, and was the fifth of 16 children. Seven of whom died at a young age, his parents were farmers who raised sheep and grew barley, buckwheat, and potatoes. Coming from a very small village in Northeast Tibet. He was identified as being the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama when he was only 2 years old. And he began his intensive religious training when he was 6. At the age of 15, he assumed the political power of Tibet.
4. The Dalai Lama’s Been Living In Exile Since 1959
The Dalai Lama has been living in exile since 1959. He assumed power in 1950 but unfortunately in October of the same year. The People’s Republic of China invaded Tibet four years later the Dalai Lama went to Beijing. In order to try to negotiate peace with Mao Zedong. China continued Tibet suppression using the army and the situation became more and more tensioned. Leading to the 1959 Tibetan uprising. The Dalai Lama and his closest advisers believed the Chinese government was to assassinate him consequently. He and several thousand followers fled to Dharamsala in northern India. And established the government of Tibet in exile. His current status in India is one of a refugee.
5. The Dalai Lama And The Government Of Tibet, In Exile, Received From The CIA
The Dalai Lama and the government of Tibet in exile received funds from the CIA. From 1959 until the 1970s the government set up an exile in India. Received 1.7 million dollars a year from the CIA. The matter was rather controversial considering Dalai Lama’s public stance in support of non-violence. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama himself was on the CIA’s payroll from the late 1950s until 1974. Reportedly receiving fifteen thousand dollars a month. He received the money personally but used most of it to fund the government in exile activities. Especially international lobbying, so we were naive to think that the Dalai Lama was only concerned with spiritual matters.
6. He’s Got A Ph.D. In Buddhist Philosophy
He’s got a Ph.D. in Buddhist philosophy. Beginning his education at the age of six he had to learn logic Tibetan art and culture, Sanskrit, medicine and Buddhist philosophy. The last being divided into five other categories dealing with the perfection of wisdom, monastic discipline, metaphysics logic, and epistemology or the study of knowledge. He completed the Geshe-la ramp I degree or doctorate of Buddhist philosophy when he was 25. What is interesting is the structure of his final exams in the morning. He was examined by 30 scholars on Logic in the afternoon. He debated with 15 scholars on the subject of the middle path. And in the evening 35 scholars tested his knowledge on the Canon of monastic discipline and the study of metaphysics, His Holiness passed the examinations with honors.
7. The 14Th Dalai Lama Is The 1St One To Travel West
The 14th Dalai Lama was the first one to travel west and not only did he first travel west. But he also used his peacefulness and charisma to draw considerable support for Buddhism and the Tibetan resistance movement. He met and talked with many Westerners and has visited the United States, Canada, Western Europe, United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Mongolia, Greece, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia and so on. He has a habit of not only meeting state leaders but also the religious leaders of the countries he’s visiting at this point. We could easily say he’s a role model when it comes to diplomacy.
8. He’s Worked With The United Nation On The Question Of Tibet
He’s worked with the United Nations on the question of Tibet. Soon after his exile began the 14th Dalai Lama considered it would be necessary. The UN their collaboration led to the adoption of three resolutions by the General Assembly in 1959 1961 and in 1965 during all this. In 1963 his holiness promulgated a draft constitution for Tibet which assures a democratic form of government. In the last two decades, his holiness has set up educational cultural and religious institutions. Which has made major contributions toward the preservation of the Tibetan identity and especially its rich heritage? He has given many teachings and initiations including the rare Kalachakra initiation which he has conducted more than any of his predecessors.
9. The Dalai Lama Stand For Religious Harmony
The Dalai Lama stands for religious harmony and by that, he doesn’t mean that everyone should convert to Buddhism. On the contrary, he believes it’s best to keep the religion. One was born into at the same time he explains that since in these modern times we experience migration waves and access to each other’s culture and religion. Maybe it would be better to take time to learn the good aspects of other religions. Not tolerating someone else’s religion should suffice. He believes that several factors including the possibility to travel and get established anywhere in the world. Have made the world turn into a community a multicultural multi-religious singular entity.
10. The 14Th Dalai Lama Was Awarded The Nobel Prize In 1989
His concern for global environmental problems. He had shown willingness to compromise and seek reconciliation despite brutal violations. The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized the appreciation for his insistence in advocating for peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect.
In order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people according to the press release in the opinion of the committee. The Dalai Lama has come forward with constructive and forward-thinking proposals. For the solution of international conflicts, human rights issues, and global environmental problems. Do you know which other political figure dedicated their life to charity and to receive the Nobel Peace Prize Mother Teresa who got it? In 1979 exactly 10 years before the 14th Dalai Lama.
11. The Dalai Lama’s Got An Unexpected Position On ABortion
The Dalai Lama’s got an unexpected position on abortion. First thing first we need to explain that Buddhists believe that life should not be destroyed. But they regard causing death as morally wrong only if the death is caused deliberately or by negligence. Therefore traditional Buddhism rejects abortion because it involves the deliberate destroying of a life. However, when asked about the matter the Dalai Lama has shown a nuanced position on abortion. Explaining that in spite of the traditional view there are cases in which abortion should be considered ethically acceptable. It could be the case that the unborn child is going to be disabled or that the birth could risk the life of the mother.
12. The Dalai Lama Advises People To Become Vegetarian
Number 12 the Dalai Lama advises people to become vegetarian. The Dalai Lama has said people think of animals as if they were vegetables and that’s not right. So he advocates that people at least try to limit their meat consumption if turning vegetarian is impossible to him. This is a matter of compassion and he seems to be trying to make this world a more gentle and compassionate one. However, he himself is not a vegetarian anymore. At some point in his life, he had to give up the vegetarian lifestyle because he contracted Hepatitis and became very weak. After he got better he tried switching back to a vegetarian diet but this attempt was unsuccessful.
13. The Dalai Lama Has Referred To Himself As A Marxist
Number 13 the Dalai Lama has referred to himself as a Marxist. Strongly criticizing capitalism for only being concerned with gain and profitability. The Dalai Lama explained that he considers the economic system of Marxism to be founded on moral principles. He believes have a distribution of wealth, the focus on equality and the concern for the working class. Which is the large majority of our signs that such a system is fair? He also emphasized that such a system takes care of those who are underprivileged and in need to some extent. However, talking about the flaws of the historical Marxist regimes. He pointed out that their main problem was that they placed too much emphasis on destroying the ruling class and not enough on compassion.
14. The 14Th Dalai Lama Is Yet To Decide If He Will Reincarnate
Number 14 the 14th Dalai Lama is yet to decide if he will reincarnate. In September 2011 the Dalai Lama retired from the central Tibetan administration in a statement he issued. The same day he explained that when he turns 90 he will consult the high Lamas on the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the Tibetan public. Before he decides whether the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue or not. The idea is that the Dalai Lama has one specific. Thus some consider it to be time for the Tibetan people to choose their leader through democratic elections. In the meantime, China has a deep understanding of what democracy has enacted a law foreboding the Dalai Lama to be reborn outside of China.
15. If He Decided To Reincarnate, The Lama’s Will Have To Follow Some Signs To Find Him
Number 15, if he decides to reincarnate the lamas, will have to follow some signs to find him. First thing first the Dalai Lama searches and selects a pension, Lama. The person is responsible for finding the reincarnated Dalai Lama. When the time comes he and his pairs will search for a boy who has been born around the same time. As the death of the last Dalai Lama, they will follow a series of signs including dreams the direction of the smoke. Once located the boy will be presented a number of artifacts among which are a number of items that belong to the deceased Dalai Lama. If the boy chooses the items that belong to the previous Dalai Lama this is seen as a sign in conjunction. With all the other indications that the boy is a reincarnation.
