"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
The Boy from Amdo
Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in the small village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet. At age two, he was identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people.
At age four, he was brought to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, where he began the rigorous education required of a Dalai Lama. His studies included logic, Tibetan art and culture, Sanskrit, medicine, and Buddhist philosophy.
Chinese Invasion and Exile
In 1950, Communist China invaded Tibet. For nine years, the young Dalai Lama attempted to work with Chinese authorities while protecting Tibetan culture and autonomy. In March 1959, following a failed Tibetan uprising, he was forced to flee to India, where he has lived in exile ever since.
From Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly for Tibetan freedom and cultural preservation. Rather than call for independence, he advocates a "Middle Way" approach: genuine autonomy for Tibet within China, with protection for Tibetan culture, religion, and environment.
"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." Philosophy of Compassion
The Dalai Lama teaches that compassion is the foundation of both personal happiness and world peace. He distinguishes between biological compassion (caring for family) and universal compassion (caring for all sentient beings), urging us to extend our circle of concern to include all life.
He emphasizes that secular ethics - based on our common humanity rather than any particular religion - can provide a foundation for addressing global challenges. Inner peace, he argues, is the prerequisite for outer peace.
Science and Spirituality
Unusually for a religious leader, the Dalai Lama has actively engaged with modern science. He has participated in dialogues with leading scientists on topics including neuroscience, physics, and cosmology. He established the Mind and Life Institute to explore the intersection of science and contemplative practice.
"If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false," he has said, "then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims."
Nobel Peace Prize and Global Influence
In 1989, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his nonviolent struggle for Tibetan liberation. He has used his global platform to advocate for human rights, environmental protection, and interfaith understanding.
Despite decades in exile and the continuing repression of Tibet, the Dalai Lama maintains his commitment to nonviolence and his characteristic joy. His laugh has become famous worldwide - a reminder that peace and happiness are possible even amid adversity.