Timeless Teachings of the Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama, a prominent Buddhist leader and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is one of the most inspiring and religious personalities in the world. He is not just a spiritual leader but also a freedom fighter and political leader of the people of Tibet. His Buddhist teachings and life story are an inspiration to the international community. Did you know that Lhamo Dhondup, the current Buddhist leader, was recognised as a reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the mere age of 2? Or, that he has been in exile for the past 60 years in Dharamshala, India? In this blog, let’s honour the fierce leader on his 86th birthday and learn from the timeless teachings of the Dalai Lama. 

Must Read: Greatest Personalities in the World

We should use our unique human intelligence to solve challenges we face, and never give up or tell ourselves there's no hope. If we have a positive goal and we're well-motivated to seek the well-being of others, no matter how difficult it is to achieve, we can remain determined.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 28, 2021

Early Life of the 14th Dalai Lama

“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.“

Lhamo Thondup, the Dalai Lama, was born on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, China to a family of farmers. Lhamo Thondup was the fifth of sixteen children, seven of whom died while they were very little. Religious officials discovered Lhamo Thondup, at the age of two, and identified him as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, after searching for a successor to the 13th Dalai Lama for several months and following several significant spiritual signals. Young Lhamo, the 14th Dalai Lama, was renamed Tenzin Gyatso and proclaimed the 14th Dalai Lama. He became the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s political leader when he was 15 years old. In the same year, the People’s Republic of China attacked. 

I am determined to help young people in any way I can, because they are the future of the world. And the first step in establishing good communications with other people is to smile. I don't like formality. There's no formality when we are born, nor when we die.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 25, 2021

In 1959, after a series of failed diplomatic dialogue with the Chinese government and the consequent invasion of Tibet. Dalai Lama, fearing assassination along with his thousands of supporters fled to Dharamshala, India, where they founded an alternative democratic government. Today, the spiritual leader is the Tibetan government-in-head and spiritual leader, situated in Dharamshala, India. Tibetans believe he is the reincarnation of his forefathers and mothers. The political leader has worked tirelessly for over 50 years to establish Tibet as a self-governing, democratic state and end the Chinese oppression in his home country. 

The Dalai Lama has taken a number of steps since with the aim to establish an autonomous Tibetan state within the People’s Republic of China. The teachings of Dalai Lama, his humanitarian efforts, participation in conferences and lectures around the world are all in an effort to spread Buddhism and spread happiness to the rest of the people. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Dalai Lama announced his semi-retirement in December 2008, following gallstone surgery.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.“

How is the Dalai Lama Chosen?

Rather than being chosen, the Dalai Lama is discovered. Tibetian Buddhists believe Dalai Lamas are enlightened beings and personifications of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. The spirit of the Dalai Lama is passed on as the manifested body of the previous leader dies. The Dalai has the ability to pick the body into which he is reincarnated, based on the Buddhist concept of reincarnation. When that individual is found, he or she will succeed the Dalai Lama. The High Lamas of the Gelugpa school and the Tibetan government are in charge of finding the true reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

This process can take several years: Tensin Gyatso, the 14th (current) Dalai Lama, was discovered over a span of 4 years. The search is mostly focused on Tibet, yet the current Dalai Lama has stated that there’s a chance he won’t be reborn, and if he is, it won’t be in a Chinese-controlled territory.

“The world doesn’t belong to leaders. The world belongs to all humanity”.

Teachings of the His Holiness Dalai Lama    

The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan refugees who followed him established a society that promotes Tibetan language, culture, arts, and religion. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for maintaining a nonviolent relationship with the Chinese government. The benevolent leader is a true advocate of  Tibetan welfare, environment, economy, women’s rights, reproductive health, nonviolence, physics, astronomy, interfaith dialogue, Buddhism and science, cognitive neuroscience, and sexuality, as well as Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist teachings.

Here are some of the timeless teachings from the Holiness Dalai Lama:

Learn to See Humanity as a Whole

If we want to see a more peaceful world, we have to learn to collaborate. Young people shouldn’t follow previous patterns of behaviour. New conditions, like our interdependent, globalised world, require new ideas. Dividing people into ‘us’ and ‘them’ is out of date.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 21, 2021

Dalai Lama has always promoted the idea of communal harmony and collaboration rather than the divide of ‘us’ or ‘them’. His belief in looking at humanity as a whole comes from Buddhism which also focuses on seeing oneself as part of the community and focusing on the value of ‘sameness’ not differences that tear us apart.

Take Actions to Bring the Change You Want

There is time for us to create a better, happier world, but we can’t sit back and expect a miracle. We each have actions we must take, by living our lives meaningfully — helping others whenever we can and making every effort to do them no harm.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) May 28, 2021

Taking initiative is the best way to bring the change we aspire to see in the world around us. Dalai Lama believes in the power of our actions, especially those that can power key changes in the world and make it a better place to live.

There’s Always Hope!

Our lives depend on hope. If you have hope, you’ll be able to overcome problems you face. But if you’re without hope, your difficulties will increase. Hope is linked to compassion and loving kindness.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) May 24, 2021

Buddhism has always believed in the power of hope and how it can help you deal with difficult circumstances. Dalai Lama emphasises this idea of the persistent presence of hope in our lives and believing in it can help you see difficulties in a different light. So, no matter who you are or where you are, there is always hope for better things and circumstances and a better you!

Be Wisely Selfish

We are self-centred and selfish, but we need to be wisely selfish, not foolishly so. If we neglect others, we too lose. We have to support others. We can educate people to understand that the best way to fulfil their own interest is to be concerned about the welfare of others.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) May 17, 2021

Dalai Lama knows that human nature is selfish but we can turn it around by being wisely selfish. This can be done by educating others about how important it is to align our interests with the welfare of others.

Cultivate Compassion

Why do we need compassion? Experience tells us that it brings inner strength. It also benefits others and we face many unnecessary problems when we lack it. To understand this we must develop a holistic way of seeing the bigger picture, which means we must use our intelligence.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 9, 2021

Buddhism is rooted in compassion and loving-kindness and the idea of how these two qualities can provide us with the inner strength we need in life. That’s why it’s essential that we look at the bigger picture during difficult times and become kinder and compassionate towards each other to cultivate loving-kindness in the world.

Dalai Lama’s 60 Years in India

“My body is Tibetan but spiritually I’m an Indian.”

China’s political landscape began to shift in the 1950s. There were also plans in the works to formally merge Tibet with China. Tibetans, on the other hand, came to the streets in March 1959, demanding an end to the Chinese invasion. Thousands were killed when troops from the Chinese People’s Republic suppressed the revolt.

During the 1959 Tibetan rebellion, the Dalai Lama escaped to India with thousands of followers, where he was welcomed by former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who gave him permission to organize the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala. The teachings of Dalai Lama and his philosophy found their true calling and international appeal needed to free the people of Tibet.

“A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.“

The List of Dalai Lamas

Dalai Lama	Name	Lived (years)
First	Gedun Truppa	1391–1475
Fecond	Gedun Gyatso	1475–1542
Third	Sonam Gyatso	1543–1588
Fourth	Yonten Gyatso	1589–1617
Fifth	Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso	1617–1682
Sixth	Tsangyang Gyatso	1683–1706
Seventh	Kelzang Gyatso	1708–1757
Eighth	Jamphel Gyatso	1758–1804
Ninth	Lungtok Gyatso	1806–1815
Tenth	Tsultrim Gyatso	1816–1837
Eleventh	Khedrup Gyatso	1838–1856
Twelfth	Trinley Gyatso	1856–1875
Thirteenth	Thubten Gyatso	1875–1933
Fourteenth	Tenzin Gyatso	1935–Present

Also Read: Famous Personalities of India

The ability to smile seems to be unique to human beings. As social animals we need friends. Friendship is based on trust and trust grows when we show each other genuine affection. If we are honest, truthful and of service to others, we can also feel self-confident

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 4, 2021

Who Will Succeed the Spiritual Leader?

“The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.“

The 14th Dalai Lama has made a series of statements in response to China’s threat, making it difficult for a Chinese-appointed 15th Dalai Lama to be viewed as legitimate. According to him, the Dalai Lama’s institution may no longer be required. He has also stated that it is up to the people to decide whether or not they wish to preserve this aspect of Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama lineage.

Another possibility suggested by the Dalai Lama is for him to choose his reincarnation before he dies. The Dalai Lama would then pass on his spiritual realization to the successor in this scenario. The Dalai Lama has also claimed that if he dies outside of Tibet, he would be reincarnated somewhere else, most likely in India. He also referred to the potential of rebirth as a woman.

People face difficulties in many parts of the world, but since all seven billion of us live on this one planet we should be united and stand in solidarity with each other. When this blue planet is viewed from space, there are no national boundaries to be seen.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 18, 2021

Also Read: 10 Global Leaders of the World

The 14th Dalai Lama acquired a level of exposure and celebrity that his predecessors could never have imagined. The teachings of Dalai Lama, his philosophy and his persona are truly timeless. He rose to become the world’s most recognized Buddhist teacher and is internationally admired for his commitment to nonviolence and the cause of Tibetan independence. If you take inspiration from fearless personalities and world leaders then follow Leverage Edu on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram to get riveting articles on thought-leaders!