Section Spiritual Innovators

Dalai Lama

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The Dalai Lama laughing. (This will play only if your computer is set up for sound.)
This site is recommended by the book and includes historical and current affairs. It is a mixture of politics and religion, of culture and modern issues, of injury and help.
From the above site, this link connects to the pages for The Delai Lama. They include his history, accomplishments (including Nobel Prize), and quite a few of his speeches.
The link to the Delai Lama page on the site.
More Quotations

"Living in society, we should share the sufferings of our fellow citizens and practise compassion and tolerance not only towards our loved ones but also towards our enemies. This is the test of our moral strength." ... A Human Approach to World Peace

·" I believe all religions pursue the same goals, that of cultivating human goodness and bringing happiness to all human beings. Though the means might appear different the ends are the same." ... Nobel Prize acceptance speech.
"I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human being. Each religion has certain unique ideas or techniques, and learning about them can only enrich one's own faith." ... at the interfaith service held by the World Congress of Faiths
" I, for one, strongly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Every individual has a responsibility to help move our global family in the right direction and we must each assume that responsibility. As a Buddhist monk, I try to develop compassion within myself, not simply as a religious practice, but on a human level as well. To encourage myself in this altruistic attitude, I sometimes find it helpful to imagine myself standing as a single individual on one side, facing a huge gathering of all other human beings on the other side. Then I ask myself, 'Whose interests are more important?' To me it is quite clear that however important I may feel I am, I am just one individual while others are infinite in number and importance." ...The United Nations World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, Austria, 15 June, 1993
Class Notes by: Melinda Bennett
Who is the Dalai Lama?

· The spiritual leader and head of Tibet
· Thought to be the re-incarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and therefore the incarnation of the Buddha of Compassion

Who is the 14th Dalai Lama and how was he chosen?


· Lhamo Dhondrub was found at the age of two in a small village called Takster in northeastern Tibet after a vision by the Regent of Tibet.
· Lhamo correctly identified items previously belonging to the 13th Dalai Lama
· Lhamo correctly identified, by name, the leader and servant of the search party that was sent to find him.
· Enthroned Feb. 22, 1940 at the age of 4.
· Was renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso meaning Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom.
· Generally referred to by Tibetans as Yeshe Norbu (the Wishfulfilling Gem) or Kundun (The Presence).
· Obtained his Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy at age 25 in 1959.

What made His Holiness flee Tibet?

· In 1950, Tenzin Gyatso was called upon to assume full political power as 80 000 Chinese Peoples Liberation Army soldiers invaded Tibet.
· In 1959, the Tibetan Nationalists staged an uprising to remove the Chinese from Tibet. They were crushed by the Chinese and the Dalai Lama escaped to Dharamsala, India.
· Currently 120 000 Tibetans live in exile in Dharamsala

How has the Dalai Lama maintained the culture and religion of his people?

· A Tibetan educational system was established to raise refugee children with full knowledge of their language, history, religion and culture.
· The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts was established in 1959
· A university, The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, was established in India.
· Over 200 monasteries were constructed to preserve the Tibetan Buddhist teachings.
· Helped establish a democratic constitution for his people, based on Buddhist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
· In 1987, at the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in Washington, D.C., he proposed a Five-Point Peace Plan between Tibet and China.
· Travelled to 46 nations proposing non-violent solutions to international conflicts, solutions to environmental problems and human rights issues. He has made the struggle of his people known throughout the world.

How has the world recognized his efforts?

· Received the Raoul Wallenberg Congressional Human Rights Award in 1989 "His Holiness the Dalai Lama's courageous struggle has distinguished him as a leading proponent of human rights and world peace. His ongoing efforts to end the suffering of the Tibetan people through peaceful negotiations and reconciliation have required enormous courage and sacrifice." - Congressman Tom Lantos during the Award ceremony
· Nobel Peace Prize 1989
"The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his
struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use 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."

Quotes by the Dalai Lama: (added above)

From where are some of the Dalai Lama's inspirations?

· Mahatma Gandhi
· Writings from the 8th century Buddhist saint Shantideva:
          For as long as space endures
          And for as long as living beings remain,
          Until then may I too abide
          To dispel the misery of the world.
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St. David's United Church.Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The United Church of Canada.

October 5, 2002