Tag Archives: Tibet

On This Day, Dalai Lama’s Birthday, he turns 78.

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Lhamo Thondup was born on July 6, 1935 in Taktser, China, northeast of Tibet, to a peasant family. 
The true value of existence is revealed through compassion

The true value of existence is revealed through compassion

At the age of 2, he was identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. Young Lhamo was renamed Tenzin Gyatso and proclaimed the 14th Dalai Lama.  Tibetans believe him to be the reincarnation of his predecessors. 
Dalai Lamas are believed to be the reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist deity and the personification of compassion. Dalai Lamas are also enlightened beings who have postponed their own afterlife and chosen to take rebirth to benefit humanity. “Dalai” means “ocean” in Mongolian (the name “Gyatso” comes from the Tibetan word for ocean). “Lama” is the equivalent of the Sanskrit word “guru,” or spiritual teacher. Put together, the title of Dalai Lama is literally “Ocean Teacher,” meaning a “teacher spiritually as deep as the ocean.” 
Ask the Dalai Lama who is he is.  His simple answer is I am just an ordinary monk.  
On a personal note, I did have a chance to be in his presence with Desmond Tutu.  Together they were full of wisdom and both promote world peace.
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