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| THE DALAI LAMA |
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The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. Born in a small village on the 6th of July, 1935, he was recognized as the Dalai Lama at the age of two. He was born into a peasant family and his birth name was Lhamo Dhondrub. Tibetans commonly refer to the Dalai Lama as Yeshe Norbu, the Wish fulfilling Gem or simply Kundun – The Presence. Starting at the age of six, the Dalai Lama’s education continued all through his life and in 1959 (25 years-old), he received a Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy. After more than 80,000 Chinese troops invaded Tibet in 1950, the Dalai Lama was given full political power over Tibet. He met with Mao Tse-tung and many other Chinese Leaders in 1954 to talk peace and the future relationship between China and Tibet. |
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| The Dalai Lama’s endeavor in promoting a peaceful solution between the Chinese and Tibetans were interrupted in March 10th, 1959, when the largest demonstrations took place calling on China to leave Tibet. This movement was called the Tibetan National Uprising, which was crushed by the Chinese army. Given political asylum, the Dalai Lama escaped to India with some 100,000 Tibetan refugees after the uprising. The Tibetan Government-in-exile has been located in Dharamsala, India, known as “Little Lhasa.” The United Nations General Assembly in 1959, 1961, and 1965, called on “China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and their desire for self-determination” after an appeal made by the Dalai Lama to the UN. In order to save the Tibetan culture and language, the Dalai Lama quickly established the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in India. Tibetan refugees were educated through these establishments to preserve their cultural heritage and national identity. A democratic constitution was established in 1963 based on Buddhist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Dalai Lama to represent a model for a future free Tibet. | |||||||||||||||||
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| ..."I urge my fellow Tibetans to continue to resist violent acts of frustration and desperation as a means to protest against injustice and repression. If we give in to hatred, desperation and violence, we would debase ourselves to the level of the oppressors. The way of the oppressors is intimidation, coercion and the use of force. Ours is a belief in and reliance on truth, justice and reason. This distinction is our most effective weapon."... The Dalai Lama, March 10th, 1997 | |||||||||||||||||
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