A Simple Buddhist monk

A Brief Biography His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, at the hamlet of Taktser in north-eastern Tibet. At the age of two the child named Lhamo Dhondup was recognized as the incarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. Dalai Lama is a Mongolian title meaning "Ocean of Wisdom" and the Dalai Lamas are manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Chenrezig. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth to serve humanity. Education in Tibet His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six. At 23 he sat for his final examination in the Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, during the annual Monlam (prayer) Festival in 1959. He passed with honours and was awarded the Lharampa degree, the highest level geshe degree (a doctorate of Buddhist philosophy). Leadership Responsibilities In 1950 His Holiness the Dalai Lama was called upon to assume full political power after China's invasion of Tibet in 1949. In 1954 he went to Beijing for peace talks with Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping. But finally, in 1959, with the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa by Chinese troops, the Dalai Lama was forced to escape into exile. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, north India, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Since the Chinese invasion, His Holiness has appealed to the United Nations on the question of Tibet. Three resolutions were adopted by the General Assembly, in 1959, 1961 and 1965. Democratisation Process In 1963 His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented a draft democratic constitution for Tibet, following this with a number of reforms. However, in May 1990, the radical reforms called for by His Holiness saw the realization of a truly democratic government for the exile Tibetan community. The Tibetan Cabinet (Kashag), which till then had been appointed by him was dissolved along with the Tenth Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies (Tibetan parliament in exile). In the same year, exile Tibetans on the Indian sub-continent and in more than 33 other countries elected 46 members to the expanded Eleventh Tibetan parliament on a Ôone man one vote' basis. The parliament, in its turn, elected new members of the cabinet. The new democratic constitution promulgated as a result of this reform was named "The Charter of Tibetans in Exile". The charter enshrines freedom of speech, belief, assembly and movement. It also provides detailed guidelines on the functioning of the Tibetan government with respect to those living in exile. In 1992 His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued guidelines for the constitution of a future, free Tibet. In it, he announced that when Tibet becomes free the immediate task will be to set up an interim government whose first responsibility will be to elect a constitutional assembly to frame and adopt Tibet's democratic constitution. On that day His Holiness will transfer all his historical and political authority to the Interim President and live as a ordinary citizen. His Holiness also stated that Tibet comprising of the three traditional provinces Ð U-Tsang, Amdo and Kham Ð will be a federal and democracy. Peace Initiatives In 1987 His Holiness proposed the Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet as the first step towards a peaceful solution to the worsening situation in Tibet. He envisaged that Tibet will become a sanctuary Ð a zone of peace at the heart of Asia where all sentient beings can exist in harmony and the environment can restore and thrive. China has so far failed to respond positively to the various peace proposals put forward by His Holiness. The Five Point Peace Plan In His address to members of the United States Congress on 21 September 1987, His Holiness proposed the following peace plan, which contains five basic components: Transformation of the whole of Tibet into a zone of peace Abandonment of China's population transfer policy which threatens the very existence of the Tibetan 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 people. Revered By Tibetans Every Tibetan has a deep and inexpressible connection with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. To the Tibetans, His Holiness symbolizes Tibet in its entirety: the beauty of the land, the purity of its rivers and lakes, the sanctity of its skies, the solidity of its mountains and the strength of its people. Universal Recognition His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems. His Holiness has traveled to more than 52 countries and met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the heads of different religions and many well-known scientists. From 1959 to 1999 His Holiness has received over 57 honorary doctorates, awards, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 50 books. His Holiness describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". In his lectures and tours around the world, his simplicity and compassionate nature visibly touches everyone who meets him. His messages are of love, compassion and forgiveness