Dalai_Lama

Dalai Lama Buddhism is a religion that helps one to reach peace among all the hardships and uncertainty in the world. The purpose of the life of a Buddhist is to create love for others, live in happiness and to develop peace in the world. In addition, they try to act only in the best of ways and to reach enlightenment. They learn live out these beliefs through prayer and meditation. All Buddhists also strive to reach Nirvana, which is “blowing out the fire” of ignorance and desire in yourself. Nirvana is the liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. Freedom from the effects of karma is also a goal of Buddhists. The person who reaches this enlightenment and nirvana is called the Dalai Lama. The name Dalai Lama means “Ocean of Wisdom.” Throughout history, there has only been 14 Dalai Lamas, all of whom have taken on the role of the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. Dalai Lama’s exist only one at a time and they are known to be the reincarnation of a past lama who wanted to be reborn into the life cycle again. They are manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion After the Dalai Lama passes away, the “High Lamas” of the Gelugpa Tradition and the Tibetan government are responsible for choosing the new lama. For two to three years straight, this search will go on until the right boy is found. The High Lamas look for a baby who was born around the same time as the old Lama’s death. While searching for the new Dalai Lama, there are three ways to find out the relative location where he should be found. One way is through dream. If one of the High Lamas has a dream about a certain location then that will help to identify the young boy. The second way to help identify him is with smoke. When the previous Dalai Lama’s cremations are being burned, the High Lamas observe to see which way the smoke has gone. In the third way, the High Lama must go to the holy Oracle Lake, and wait for a vision or a sign to hint to them where the next Dalai Lama could be. These customs to pick the new Dalai Lama shows how important and serious this position in the Buddhism religion is. The current head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people is the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. He was born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6th, 1935 to a farming family and was chosen Dalai Lama at the age of two and was enthroned in 1940, in Lhasa (the capital of Tibet). Tenzin was given full political power on November 17, 1950. As a leader he wanted to create a peace solution to a Sino- Tibetan conflict. His solution causes the largest demonstration in Tibetan history, telling China to leave Tibet and endorsing Tibet’s independence. Throughout his lifetime so far, he has earned many recognitions and awards. Many western universities and institutions have given him Peace Awards and honorary Doctorate Degrees in recognition of His Holiness’ writings in Buddhist philosophy and for his leadership in his solutions to international conflicts, human rights issues and global environmental problems. This Dalai Lama has given all of his heart into ending the suffering of the Tibetan people through peaceful compromises and reconciliation. The leadership role that he has controlled allowed for Tibetan’s independence. The existing Dalai Lama has many beliefs that he teaches to others. One of his main teachings has to do with all the different religions. At the State Theater in 2007, Tenzin Gyatso explains how religion can be used to point humanity in a better direction and in creating a peaceful world. Religion, he says, should be seen “for what they are rather than the mischievous people in religions.” Tenzin Gyatso believes that we should not judge the religions by the people that are in those religions, but instead by the faiths themselves. He teaches his audience that love, compassion, and forgiveness are three common themes in all religions. Even though religions have different names and different philosophies, love, compassion, and forgiveness are all things that remains constant through them all. I chose this topic of the Dalai Lama because I was very interested to learn new things about this type of leader and the religion of Buddhism itself. While writing this paper I learned many new things. I never knew that the Dalai Lama was chosen at such a young age. It would seem more realistic if he were chosen after he had completed school. Tenzin Gyatso was put into full political power when he was only fifteen years old, in 1950. If I put myself in his position, I would most likely feel that I was not ready for that type of job. Also while researching the topic of the Dalai Lama, it surprised me that Tenzin Gyatso was pick from a farming family and not a more wealthy family. Before I knew how the Dalai Lama was picked, I thought that they would have come from a more rich and noble family. Bibliography Chhaya, Mayank. Dalai Lama : Man, Monk, Mystic. New York: Doubleday, 2007. Ashmore, Tim. "Dalai Lama stresses basic religious beliefs at State Theatre." Ithaca Journal. 10 Oct. 2007. 19 Dec. 2008 . Thurman, Robert. Why the Dalai Lama Matters : His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World. Grand Rapids: Beyond Words, Incorporated, 2008.