Advertisement |
As a Buddhist, what I can do is pray for them (storm victims), wishing them that in their next life, they can still be human and live a happier life
Dalai Lama packs arena Sep 01, 2009
As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people
Dalai Lama to cede state role; vote ahead Mar 10, 2011
I want to acknowledge here that many of my fellow Tibetans, inside and outside Tibet, have earnestly requested me to continue to give political leadership at this critical time
Dalai Lama formally resigns Mar 14, 2011
I believe the country ruled by kings or queens or religious leader -- they are out of date and, in fact, religious institutions and political institutions must be separate
U.S. lawmakers meet Dalai Lama Jul 08, 2011
Provided the Dalai Lama genuinely abandons his Tibet independence stance, we can talk about his personal future
Beijing brushes aside new Tibetan leader May 16, 2011
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word dalai meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word བླ་མ་ bla-ma (with a silent "b") meaning "teacher". According to the current Dalai Lama, the Tibetan word "lama" corresponds precisely to the better known Indian word "guru".
In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence.
For certain periods of time between the 17th century and 1959, the Dalai Lamas sometimes directed the Tibetan government, which administered portions of Tibet from Lhasa. The 14th Dalai Lama remained the head of state for the Central Tibetan Administration ("Tibetan government in exile") until his retirement on March 14, 2011. He has indicated that the institution of the Dalai Lama may be abolished in the future, and also that the next Dalai Lama may be found outside Tibet and may be female.