"I believe in justice and truth, without which there would be no basis for human hope."
-Dalai Lama XIV
At A Glance
- NAME: Lhamo Dondrub
- RELIGIOUS NAME: Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (Tenzin Gyatso for short)
- OCCUPATION: Human Right's Activist, Political Leader, Religious Leader
- BIRTH DATE: July 06, 1935 (Age: 77)
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Taktser, China
In Depth
Philosophical: Human Rights
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive" (A Small Drop of Ink: A Collection of Inspirational and Moving Quatations of the Ages).
The Dalai Lama is known world-wide for his advocacy in human rights. The Dalai Lama commits to the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. His Holiness believes that all human beings are the same despite of our different cultures and religious beliefs. He believes that we all strive for happiness and that we do not crave suffering; even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics; and as the Dalai Lama, he preaches about the importance of these human values and shares them with everyone he meets (Dalai Lama). In an Interview with the Dalai Lama by Reata Strickland in An Interview with God, the Dalai Lama was asked, "What surprises you most about humanity?" The Dalai Lama responded with "Man... Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies never having really lived." A message that the Dalai Lama was trying to get through was that without our basic fundamental necessities of life (love, compassion, forgiveness, etc.), we live unfulfilled lives. |
Religious: Tibetan Buddhism
"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" (Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Towards a Union of Love and Knowledge).
The Dalai Lama is a symbolic figure in the Buddhist community. He is believed to be the manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana (liberation of the soul) and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity (Dalai Lama). Although the Dalai Lama is a Buddhist figure, the 14th Dalai Lama believes that "all major religious traditions carry basically the same message; that is love, compassion and forgiveness" (Especially for Christians: Powerful Thought-Provoking words from the Past). In doing so, the Dalai Lama believes in religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned; this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary (Dalai Lama). The Dalai Lama has came up with many ways to influence his people to do good and bring peace to the world with the five points of peace which include the following: Transformation of the whole of Tibet into a zone of peace; Abandonment of China's population transfer policy that threatens the very existence of the Tibetans as a people; Respect for the Tibetan people's fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms; Restoration and protection of Tibet's natural environment, and the abandonment of China's use of Tibet for the production of nuclear weapons and dumping of nuclear waste; Commencement of earnest negotiations on the future status of Tibet and of relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. These lead to his reputation around the world and also lead him to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle. ”Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions” This quote means that the happiness is not there unless you get it from the things you do good in life.
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