#5: Profiles of Religious People - Fourteenth Dalai Lama (Not This Semester)
Explain what the Dalai Lama is as a general term.
The term Dalai Lama refers to a high lama, or monk, in the school of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolic word dalai meaning "ocean" and the Tibetan word (bla-ma) meaning "guru, teacher, or mentor. In Western culture we sometimes refer to him as His Holiness. He is picked based on the notion that he is the rebirth, or reincarnation, of the bodhisattva (enlightened being) of compassion. Essentially the Dalai Lamas are a line of spiritual teachers.
The Dalai Lama is associated with which religion?
As the spiritual leader of Tibet the Dalai Lama guides the Tibetan people in their understanding of Tibetan Buddhism and shares his ideas about religious harmony around the world.
The search for the new Dalai Lama is lead by other high lamas and the Tibetan government.
The chosen boy must undergo a test that involves identifying a number of artifacts that belonged to the past Dalai Lamas.
Why couldn’t His Holiness assume the position of Dalai Lama as soon as he was found by the high lamas?
The boy who was chosen was just 2 years old at the time. He was too young to assume the title at the time so he was not officially recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama until November 17, 1950 when he was 15 years old.
What did the 14th Dalai Lama receive the Nobel Peace Prize for?
All of his efforts to bring peace to Tibet and the world lead to His Holiness receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Summarize the three commitments of the 14th Dalai Lama
His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline.
His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions.
His third commitment is to work to preserve Tibet's Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non-violence.
Why were Tibetans suspicious of Chinese officials when they invited
the Dalai Lama to a dance show?
During 1959 His Holiness was invited to a dance show by Chinese officials but he was told to come with unarmed body guards. This was seen as a suspicious sign of their bad intentions. Tens of thousands of common Tibetans were suspicious too and gathered to make sure their leader wasn’t hurt.
Fearing for his safety the Dalai Lama fled to India.
The 14th Dalai Lama became the first Dalai Lama to retire in 368 years.
Explain where the new Dalai Lama may be born and why.
If the rebirth takes place, His Holiness believes he will be born outside of China and potentially be born a woman. This would be unprecedented. He believes this because it would not make sense for him to be born under Chinese control when the unfinished work (helping Tibet) of the Dalai Lama cannot be complete within China.
