His Holiness The Dalai Lama

When Sonam Gyatso, the 3rd Dalai lama, met with the Mongol ruler Altyn Khan in 1578, the, grandson of Gengis Khan, he indirectly bestowed the title of Ta-Le (Dalai) meaning ocean. Altyn addressed him in Mongol by the name of Gyatso Lama. The Tibetan word ‘Gyatso’ meaning "ocean," and the equivalent was dalai in Mongol.

So the name resulted from translation more than a bestowed title, but with Sonam being a lama and having assumed wisdom, the name conveniently implied ‘Ocean of Wisdom’.

The 14th Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader for the Tibetan people and he is also their head of state. His Holiness is the proper title of respect for this respected and beloved man who promotes the causes of justice, humanity and freedom. Although he is human just like everyone else, he is also revered as a soul who has embraced the highest levels of understanding and enlightenment.

In Tibet, it is believed that a Bodhisattva chooses to be reborn repeatedly so that they may further be of service to others. The Dalai Lama is a person who is believed to be the reincarnation of Chenrezig, the patron Saint of Tibet, and Avalokiteshvara the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Lhamo DÔndup (Thondup) was the birth name for the present spiritual leader of Tibet, but when he was recognized formally as the reincarnated Dalai Lama, he was renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.

Tibetan Buddhists refer to him as Yishin Norbu (Wish-Fulfilling Gem or just Kundun (Presence). His birthplace was in a village called Pari Takster, in the Amdo region, in northeastern Tibet on July 6, 1935. The young boy was officially recognized as the latest reincarnation of the Dalai Lama when he was only 2 years old.

This position means that the child had to leave his home at an early age and religious monks educated him. In addition to Sanskrit, philosophy, art and logic the young man was instructed in many other subjects. At the age of 23, he received a degree known as the Geshe Lharampa. This is considered the equivalent of a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy.

With the 1949 Chinese invasion of his country, His Holiness assumed political power in Tibet. He asked for only peace and freedom for his people, but this was not to be. There was a brutal crackdown on the Tibetan people by the Chinese government in 1959. He had to flee from his country and live in exile.

Ever since this time, he has resided in northern India. His philosophy calls for non-violence, rational behavior, compassion and cooperation. Click here for a short Dalai Lama biography.

Obviously, I was honoured when he agreed to write the foreword of my book.

The Dalai Lama has won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. It was awarded to him in recognition of his non-violent and peaceful teachings.

Here is an example of such wisdom.

The Paradox Of Our Age

We have bigger houses but smaller families.
More conveniences; but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense.
More knowledge; but less judgement.
More experts; but more problems.
More medicines, but less healthiness.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.
We built more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
We have become long on quantity but short on quality.
These are times of fast food but slow digestion.
Tall man but short character.
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It is time when there is much in the window but nothing in the room.

You can find more quotes here.

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