Report on teachings of Dalai Lama
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This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
-His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the most beloved and recognized leaders of our time. He is the spiritual leader of Tibet, but his presence and impact is known worldwide as a statesman, spiritual teacher, and theologian. Also known by his given religious name, Tenzin Gyatso, he is the fourteenth person to be recognized as a Dalai Lama.
What is a Dalai Lama? As written on his office’s official website, “The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are believed to be enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.”
The 81-year-old self-proclaimed “simple monk” has dedicated his life to the service of humanity, promoting a universal “religion of human kindness.” As a spokesman for the peaceful and compassionate resolution of conflict, he promotes love and compassion on a global scale, and urges all beings to create their own happiness.
Contents
The life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama’s teachings on compassion and happiness
The Dalai Lama’s teachings on Buddhist meditation and concepts
The Dalai Lama’s teachings on ethics and responsibility
Interviews with the Dalai Lama
Appreciations of the Dalai Lama
Quotes from the Dalai Lama
Selected books by the Dalai Lama
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The life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
EARLY LIFE
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935 to a Tibetan farming family in Taktser, a peasant village in northeastern Tibet. He was one of sixteen children born into the family, nine of whom had died in infancy. At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. A search team had been sent out by the Tibetan government, and after following signs and visions, they were led to Lhamo Dhonup’s house. The location of the home had been described in a vision from the Panchen Lama before his death.
The 14th Dalai Lama as a young boy. Image via public domain.
The 14th Dalai Lama as a young boy. Image via public domain.
The search team posed as pilgrims, and their leader, Kewtsang Rinpoche, disguised as a servant, interacted with the boy, who recognized him as a “lama from Sera.”
The search party returned weeks later with dignitaries and performed a series of formal tests, including showing the boy objects that had belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama amongst others which had not. Lhamo Thondup chose the previous Dalai Lama’s objects each time, and so he was identified as the 14th Dalai Lama.
The boy was taken to live at Kumbum Monastery, where he remained for a long eighteen months, due to a ransom requested by warlord Ma Bufang for the boy to leave Lhasa.