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The Institution Of THE DALAI

1 THE DALAI

1st : Gendun Drub 8th Dalai Lama: Jampel b. 1391 – d. 1474 b. 1758 – d. 1804 Enthroned: 1762 f. Gonpo Dorje – m. Jomo Namkyi f. Sonam Dargye - m. Phuntsok Wangmo Birth Place: , Tsang, Birth Place: Lhari Gang, Tsang

2nd Dalai Lama: Gendun Gyatso 9th Dalai Lama: Lungtok Gyatso b. 1476 – d. 1542 b. 1805 – d. 1815 Enthroned: 1487 Enthroned: 1810 f. Kunga Gyaltsen - m. Kunga Palmo f. Tenzin Choekyong Birth Place: Tsang Tanak, Tibet m. Dhondup Dolma Birth Place: Dan Chokhor, 3rd Dalai Lama: Sonam Gyatso b. 1543 – d. 1588 10th Dalai Lama: Tsultrim Gyatso Enthroned: 1546 b. 1816 – d. 1837 f. Namgyal Drakpa – m. Pelzom Bhuti Enthroned: 1822 Birth Place: Tolung, Central Tibet f. Lobsang Drakpa – m. Namgyal Bhuti Birth Place: Lithang, Kham 4th Dalai Lama: Yonten Gyatso b. 1589 – d. 1617 11th Dalai Lama: Khedrub Gyatso Enthroned: 1601 b. 1838– d. 1855 f. Sumbur Secen Cugukur Enthroned 1842 m. Bighcogh Bikiji f. Tseten Dhondup – m. Yungdrung Bhuti Birth Place: Birth Place: Gathar, Kham

5th Dalai Lama: 12th Dalai Lama: Trinley Gyatso Ngawang b. 1856 – d. 1875 b. 1617 – d. 1682 Enthroned: 1860 Enthroned: 1638 f. Phuntsok Tsewang – m. Tsering Yudon f. Dudul Rapten – m. Kunga Lhadze Birth Place: Lhoka Birth Place: Lhoka, Central Tibet : Thupten Gyatso : Tseyang Gyatso b. 1876 – d. 1933 b. 1683 – d. 1706 Enthroned: 1879 Enthroned: 1697 f. Kunga Rinchen – m. Lobsang Dolma f. Tashi Tenzin – m. Tsewang Birth Place: Langdun, Central Tibet Birth Place: Mon , : Tenzin Gyatso 7th Dalai Lama: Kalsang Gyatso b. 1935 b. 1708 – d. 1757 Enthroned: 1940 Enthroned: 1720 f. Choekyong Tsering f. Sonam Dargye – m. Sonam Chotso m. Dickey Tsering Birth Place: Lithang, Kham Birth Place: ,

2 INSTITUTION OF THE DALAI LAMA: AN OVERVIEW

His Holiness the 14th Dalai ruler during the subsequent 400 Lama represents a highly revered years. Throughout that time, institution that provides spiritual Buddhist scholars of various leadership for the people of Tibet orders built to and for followers of spread Buddha’s teachings across around the world. It is a spiritual the plateau and beyond. institution that emerged and When the expanded evolved through centuries of into Tibet in the 13th century, history during which the they facilitated a special bond of successive Dalai Lamas between Mongol Khans and presided over Tibet’s transition Tibetan Buddhist hierarchs, to the modern era. The 14th thereby elevating the prestige and Dalai Lama himself has played a power of Buddhist institutions. defining role, becoming a global Over the next two centuries, symbol of human wisdom and even though several lay Mongol grace for leading the Tibetan and Tibetan rulers assumed people through the political crisis authority over the kingdom, they of the twentieth century. It is patronized different orders of on this global stage of moral the . leadership that the modern Tibetan Buddhists believe in institution of the Dalai Lama the concept of , a now sits, and from which it will realized being who has resolved continue to provide a spiritual to attain the highest spiritual compass for those of faith around enlightenment or the world. for the benefit of all sentient Tibetans first embraced beings. Defining as Buddhism, which originated a state of mind that genuinely in India, under the Yarlung aspires to see all sentient beings Dynasty between the 7th and finding freedom from suffering, 9th centuries. As the official pain and dissatisfaction, Tibetans religion of the nation, Buddhism generally extol compassion continued to flourish even after as the highest of all virtues. different empires collapsed and Concurrently, both Buddhist disintegrated without a central canons and teachings hail Lord

3 Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva tree nearby, watching over him embodiment of compassion, as vigilantly to ward off attacks from the sole guardian of the Tibetan wild vultures and animals. kingdom, and the Dalai Lama, Even though Gendun Drub the manifestation of the exalted was raised as a shepherd, he Bodhisattva. demonstrated an extraordinary talent for Buddhist practices THE FIRST DALAI LAMA at an early age. He was said to The spiritual lineage of the Dalai have spent hours carving sacred Lama can be traced back to 1391, syllables and into stones in with the birth of Gendun Drub, the Tibetan tradition. At the age of seven, when he lost his father, he was sent to a , where at the age of 20 he became an ordained monk. While pursuing his , Gendun Drub studied under , a philosopher and an eclectic Buddhist master, and the founder of the Geluk School of Buddhism in Tibet. Deeply inspired by Tsongkhapa’s teachings, the young Gendun Drub became the whose parents were semi-nomadic master’s last disciple, and one of farmers in central Tibet. On the the most revered masters of the night he was born, legend has it Geluk School. that bandits raided the family’s camp. Before fleeing for her life, THE OF his mother wrapped the newborn THE DALAI LAMA in blankets and hid him inside a Following Gendun Drub’s crevice nearby. Upon returning , no immediate efforts were the next morning, the family was made to identify his . surprised to find the baby sleeping Then, Gendun Drub’s disciples undisturbed amid the rocks; a at Tashilhunpo monastery heard large black raven perched on a about a boy. Born as Sangye

4 Gendun Gyatso and installed as Gendun Drub’s incarnation. Since then, a tradition was established in the Geluk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to search and recognize the successive of the Dalai Lamas. The practice of recognizing who is who by identifying someone’s previous life occurred even when Buddha himself was alive. However, the present tradition of formally recognizing the reincarnation of Choephel in a village called Tsang masters first began in the early Tanak, the boy repeatedly shared 13th century with the recognition with adults stories of his previous of Rangjung Dorjee life as a lama. From the age of as the reincarnation of Karmapa two, he expressed his wish to Pagshi by his disciples in return to Tashilhunpo, which accordance with his prediction. he referred to as his monastery. Gendun Gyatso trained at So, the Tashilhunpo monastery various monasteries became dispatched a delegation to the a great teacher and scholar. village to investigate the claims. Even before his studies were Upon their arrival, the boy was completed, he began teaching, said to have greeted each member and quickly developed a large by name, with accuracy and following. In his early years, he extreme delight. Confronted with served as abbot of Tashilhunpo compelling evidence, Gendun and subsequently of Drepung Drub’s disciples recognized that and Sera, the two largest Tibetan the child could indeed be the monasteries in 1517. Gendun incarnation of their deceased Gyatso passed away in 1542, master. leaving behind many volumes of Thus, in 1485, when the boy verse, composition, and practice had turned 10, he was renamed instructions.

5 THE OF the . THE DALAI LAMA In his later years, Sonam Gyatso Upon Gendun Gyatso’s death, cultivated relationships with high lamas at the Drepung members of ruling houses across Monastery quickly identified Tibet. His greatest triumph involved forging a close friendship with the Mongol leader, Altan , who was a descendent of . To follow the path of his ancestors and revive , invited Sonam Gyatso to visit Mongolia in 1577. When the two met, they agreed to enter into a traditional patron-priest relationship. For Altan Khan, the patronage of the growing Geluk ( Hat) a successor near the capital tradition was a way to re-establish city of . Even though his forebear’s influence in Tibet. he was only two years old, he Sonam Gyatso saw the alliance as coherently recounted to his an opportunity to secure Mongol parents and those around him support for his missionary work, how Buddhas and both inside and outside of Tibet. appeared to him on a regular A year later, Altan Khan basis. Meanwhile, a senior monk bestowed upon him the title near his village also received of the Dalai Lama. “Dalai” is a a vision in which the young Mongolian term meaning “ocean” child was prophesied to be and Dalai Lama is popularly the reincarnation of Gendun translated as “Ocean of Wisdom.” Gyatso. After giving the boy a His predecessors, Gendun series of tests, the search team Drub and Gendun Gyatso, were officially confirmed him as their posthumously given the of future leader. Thus, the boy the first and second Dalai Lama. became Sonam Gyatso, and was Thus, the Dalai Lama institution enthroned the following year at was created.

6 In 1588, Sonam Gyatso passed and indications about the next away in Mongolia, and his remains reincarnation. At the same time, were interred in a reliquary a team of high lamas also seek there. His successor, the 4th Dalai predictions from , Lama, Yonten Gyatso was born the state of Tibet, while in Mongolia and was chosen spending days observing visions in according to the reincarnation the sacred lake of , tradition. It so happened that he which yield significant clues to was the great-grandson of the the location of the reincarnation. Mongol leader Altan Khan. These steps help build the case for the potential candidate. THE REINCARNATION However, the most crucial factor DOCTRINE rests upon the candidate himself. The stories of the first four Dalai Usually the child, often as young Lamas offer readers a glimpse as two years old, is required to of the complex reincarnation perform a series of tests, such tradition. In the following as recounting his previous life, centuries, disciples have formed recognizing people who had been and developed an elaborate set of close to the deceased Dalai Lama procedures to locate and identify and identifying personal items that the successor to the Dalai Lama belonged to the past leader. Once institution. the tests prove that he is the true Before a Dalai Lama passes incarnation of the previous Dalai away, he often leaves a predictive Lama, he is anointed as the holder letter that contains instructions of the .

RESIDENCE OF THE DALAI LAMA -

7 The Potala Palace in Lhasa, built trekked all the way to Potala on the site of an ancient fortress Palace to visit and worship the by , the 33rd tombs of past Dalai Lamas. king of Tibet in seventh century, served as the of THE SPIRITUAL AND the Dalai Lama. The Palace was TEMPORAL LEADER named after the mountain home The interwoven spiritual and of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. temporal system of governance Construction of the Potala originates from ancient times Palace began in 1645 during the when Tibetans believed that reign of the 5th Dalai Lama. enlightened beings, such as the When he passed away in 1682, Bodhisattva of Compassion, his Regent, Desi Sanggye Gyatso, manifested themselves in human continued the expansion and forms to protect the people of completed the building of the Tibet. These long-held views Red Palace in 1694. It took a total have provided the basis of rule of 45 years to finish the entire by religious kings and Buddhist structure, including the interior, hierarchs on the together with its furnishings. until modern times. The Potala Palace is thirteen In all, Tibet was ruled by 42 stories tall and is the greatest kings for more than 1,000 years, monumental structure in all of with the most prominent being Tibet with its outstanding ancient Songtsen Gampo, Tibetan architecture. Covering and Tri Ralpachen from the 360,000 square meters with nearly 7th to the 9th centuries. They 1,000 rooms, the palace remained were instrumental in uniting the both the residence of the Dalai nation of Tibet and introducing Lama and his large staff, and Buddhism in what later became the seat of Tibetan government, known as the Land of . where all ceremonies of state After the were held. It was designated a declined, a new period of cultural UNESCO renaissance and civilizational in 1994. Reliquaries for the 5th dynamism arose across Tibet. But Dalai Lama, and the 7th through while many of the great Tibetan 12th Dalai Lamas are held in the saints, mystics, philosophers Red Palace. Each year, and historians flourished during

8 Dynasty, the 5th Dalai Lama paid a historic visit to . Historians recount that the emperor traveled out of the capital to greet the Dalai Lama en route, bestowing upon him the highest honor as head of a sovereign state. In deference to his moral authority, the emperor solicited the Dalai Lama’s help in subduing the Mongols who were then posing a threat to . Early on, it was clear that the this period, political intrigue and institution of the Dalai Lama was bids for power perpetuated the accorded the status of a sovereign fragmentation of the Tibetan by the Qing emperor. state. It was not until 1642 that By the time the 6th Dalai Lama the 5th Dalai Lama emerged as took over Tibet, the ruling class the legitimate ruler of a united was embroiled in political intrigue Tibet, exercising power over both and instability. He was deposed spiritual and temporal domains. by Lhazang Khan, a grandson of Gushri Khan, and died “PRIEST-PATRON” prematurely at the age of 24. In RELATIONS WITH QING 1720, Manchu imperial troops EMPIRE In the period that followed, the geopolitics of shifted and the institution of the Dalai Lama was caught in a complex pattern of political relations with the Manchu rulers of the . The priest-patron relationship that developed gave rise to an array of political contradictions. In 1653, at the invitation of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing

9 entered Tibet for the first time on competing candidates placed in a the pretext of protecting the 7th . Dalai Lama, whom they escorted Such blatant meddling in to Lhasa for enthronement. In the Tibetan’s religious affairs was following decades, the interference tolerated in the early days because by the Qing empire in Tibetan of the existing “priest-patron” affairs continued, particularly after relationship with the Manchu the 8th Dalai Lama sought military Qing emperor. In addition, the support in 1791 to expel Nepalese 8th Dalai Lama would also need invaders who had invaded and the Qing emperor’s support occupied part of Tibet. to fight off future foreign and In 1792, the Qing emperor Nepalese aggressors. promulgated a 29-point decree However, when it came to that outlined proposed measures selecting their spiritual leader’s for the Tibetan government, led successor, Tibetans often by the 8th Dalai Lama, to improve dismissed the Qing emperor’s the efficiency of his governance. suggestion. For example, for Historians characterize the the 10th and 12th Dalai Lamas, decree as symbolic in nature. senior monks secretly identified Tibetans ignored and conveniently the candidates with the traditional discarded many of them, an act method. To placate the Qing that could be deemed seditious rulers, they simply employed the or traitorous when committed Golden Urn ceremony to confirm by a Chinese or an imperial their choices. Only once did the protectorate. For example, one Qing emperor succeed in forcing of the proposals involved the his method upon the selection of selection of the Dalai Lama, which the 11th Dalai Lama. traditionally fell into the realm of In 1879, the 13th Dalai Lama spiritual practice. To exert full was enthroned at the Potala political control over Tibet, the Palace in Lhasa. By the time he Qing emperor imposed his will on assumed leadership at the end the then 400-year-old succession of his religious training in 1895, process by mandating the use Tibet was caught in the crossfire of a lottery with folded slips of between Russia and Great paper containing the names of the Britain, which were adversaries

10 legitimacy of the Dalai Lama’s rule over Tibet. In 1911, the collapse of the Qing dynasty in China provided an opportunity for the Dalai Lama to clear the last vestiges of Manchus from Tibet by ordering the withdrawal of Chinese troops. Just weeks after his return to Lhasa in early 1913, the Dalai Lama officially ended all ties with China and declared Tibet to be an independent country. In the proclamation, the 13th Dalai at that time. When a British Lama stated that the traditional “expeditionary team” from India relationship between Tibet and invaded and occupied Tibet in China, governed by the historic 1903 and 1904 to counter the model of patron and priest, had influence of Russia in the Far “faded like a rainbow in the sky.” East, the 13th Dalai Lama had to Having witnessed the modern flee Lhasa and went into a five- changes during his in year in Mongolia and then Mongolia, China and India, the China. In 1910, a Chinese general young leader instituted a series attacked the country. Once again, of major political, social and the 13th Dalai Lama was forced economic reforms that helped to leave Lhasa for India before the modernize Tibet. He was known Chinese army slaughtered their as a skillful statesman who stood way through and took over the up for Tibet against great powers capital city. such as Britain and China, restored Despite the turmoil, the 13th discipline in monastic life, and Dalai Lama never stopped placed more lay people in the asserting and fighting for the Tibetan government.

11 TENZIN GYATSO, THE 14TH DALAI LAMA By the time the 13th Dalai Lama reincarnation of the 13th Dalai passed away in , Lama, and placed him at a local the Priest-Patron relationship monastery for training. However, had ended, and there was no , a local Chinese obligation on the part of the Tibetan government to use the Golden Urn method to select the next Dalai Lama. Tibetans therefore followed the traditional procedure. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born on , 1935 to a Tibetan farming family in the small village of Taktser, located in the province of Amdo. When he was two years old, a search party sent out by the Tibetan government identified and confirmed him to be the

12 Muslim , refused to let full-scale conflict. the boy-incarnate be taken to the In a last bid to avoid a full- capital city of Lhasa unless the scale Chinese invasion, His Tibetan government paid a large Holiness sent a delegation to ransom. It was not until the winter Beijing to open a dialogue with of 1940 that he was officially the Communist leaders. The installed as the spiritual leader of delegation was forced to sign a Tibet at Lhasa’s Potala Palace. peace agreement with the Chinese In the fall of 1950, news government on May 23, 1951 to reached Lhasa that an army of save his country from the brink of 80,000 soldiers of the Chinese destruction and further military People’s Liberation Army was action. approaching the capital city to The next nine years saw His “liberate Tibet from the hands of Holiness trying to evade a Imperialist aggressors.” As Lhasa complete military takeover of was falling into the hands of Tibet by China. From July 1954 Chinese invaders, the religious and to June 1955, political elite in Tibet requested made an historic visit to Beijing that the 14th Dalai Lama be and met with given full temporal authority. The and other senior Communist Tibetan government consulted leaders to establish a harmonious the State Oracle of Tibet, who relationship between Tibetans walked toward His Holiness and and Chinese. However, he laid a , a white soon realized that the promises scarf, on his lap with the words that Chairman Mao made in “the time has come.” Thus, on the agreement to respect the , 1950, His Holiness governance and social system of was officially enthroned as the Tibet were systematically violated. temporal leader of Tibet in a On March 17, 1959, the State ceremony held at the Oracle of Tibet issued an explicit Palace. instruction for His Holiness to At the age of 16, His Holiness leave the country. Even though the the Dalai Lama found himself the odds against making a successful enthroned leader of six million escape seemed terrifyingly high, people of Tibet on the eve of a the young leader decided to plunge

13 ahead. A few minutes before new charter for Tibetans in exile ten o’clock at night, he disguised in 1990, expanding the authorities himself as a common soldier and of elected representatives and slipped out of the country, along introducing the Supreme Justice with a small escort. He was soon Commission to provide proper joined by thousands of Tibetans, checks and balances among the who proceeded towards India. three pillars of democracy. These The democratic reforms culminated government of the Dalai in the direct election of a Tibetan Lama was reestablished in exile political leader by Tibetans in immediately upon reaching India , with new elements of democratic In May of 2011, the Dalai Lama reforms to the administration and rule, which began in 1642, ended, governance. when His Holiness the 14th A draft democratic constitution Dalai Lama signed the document for Tibet was introduced in the formally transferring his temporal early years of exile and an election authority to a democratically of representatives was held to elected leader. He formally form the first Tibetan parliament. put an end to the 368-year-old Further democratic reforms were Ganden Phodrang government introduced with adoption of a headed by the Dalai Lamas.

14 THE DALAI LAMA, THE suffering and attain happiness SPIRITUAL LEADER through the development of love The Dalai Lamas, who are and compassion. His message of believed to be the earthly peace and his advocacy of basic manifestation of the Bodhisattva human values such as compassion of Compassion, undergo rigorous and tolerance transcend religions, religious studies and spiritual politics and cultures. training to serve humanity. The Dalai Lama enjoys supreme Successive Dalai Lamas have authority over all spiritual matters served as spiritual leaders both in Tibet. He is requested to in Tibet and in neighboring appoint abbots and recognize countries. reincarnations of high lamas. Article One of the Tibetan While heads of monastic Charter designates the Dalai Lama institutions of each Tibetan as the protector and symbol of Buddhist tradition are appointed the Tibetan nation on the basis by their respective spiritual of the history and culture that advisers, the abbots of all major spanned for many centuries and Buddhist monastic institutions of the sovereign will of the Tibetans. the Geluk tradition are appointed He played two distinctive roles. by the Dalai Lama, including As the spiritual leader and the the position of Gaden Tripa – voice of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama the head of the Geluk school, is entrusted with the right and although these positions are filled responsibility to advocate for on . the protection and promotion While ordained in the Geluk of the cultural well-being of School of the Tibetan Buddhist the , advise the tradition, the Dalai Lama extends Tibetan parliament and Tibetan equal respect for all the four Administration in matters of Tibetan Buddhist Schools— importance to the nation, and to , Kagyud, Sakya and meet with other world leaders. Geluk. An eclectic master, Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama sees the Dalai Lama has received himself as a Buddhist monk who teachings from masters of all the has taken a vow to serve humanity, four schools and today remains helping people to end their the most revered ecumenical

15 repository of Buddhist is to be recognized. When that transmission, teaching and time comes, he will consult with initiation lineages of all the four the high lamas of the Tibetan schools. Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan The Dalai Lama presides over all public, and other Tibetan national conferences of Tibetan Buddhists on his reincarnation. Buddhism traditionally attended Upon his passing, the by spiritual heads and abbots of responsibility of finding the all Buddhist traditions. These reincarnation of the 14th Dalai conferences are periodically Lama will rest primarily with held to discuss policies and officials of the Dalai Lama major issues concerning Tibetan Institution. They will be required Buddhism. to consult with leaders of various The current Dalai Lama Tibetan Buddhist orders and the continues to hold supreme oath-bound Protectors authority over all affairs related who are linked to the lineage of to Tibetan Buddhism, mainly by the Dalai Lamas. Under their virtue of his historic position guidance, religious officials will and the trust placed upon him follow age-old traditions to carry by his followers. In his letter to out the search. His Holiness the Tibetan Parliament in March has also mentioned specifically 2011, His Holiness made it clear that he will leave clear written his intention to resume the status instructions relating to his of the first four Dalai Lamas in reincarnation, without room for concerning himself only with doubt or deception. spiritual affairs once he has At present, since China abdicated his political authority. continues its relentless campaign to sabotage and erode His THE NEXT INCARNATION Holiness’s international OF THE DALAI LAMA standing, the institution and In his statement issued on the reincarnation process September 24, 2011, the His could become vulnerable to Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama manipulation and external emphasized that he has sole political control. His Holiness authority over where he takes warned that Tibetans should not and how that reincarnation accept any candidates endorsed

16 or recognized by those who fail to his political leadership in the follow the legitimate Tibetan way. Administration, His Holiness has chosen to THE FUTURE OF THE dedicate his life and institution to DALAI LAMA INSTITUTION serving humanity. Through his Buddhism is a religion followed teachings and advocacy work, His by more than half a billion people Holiness calls for the preservation in the world, including around of the Tibetan language and 300 million believers in China culture, and speaks up fiercely following the Buddhism about protecting Tibet’s natural lineage. Over the centuries, the environment, which is now being Dalai Lama institution has become threatened by China’s unchecked the center of the Tibetan Buddhist economic exploitation. world. At the same time, His Holiness After he settled in Dharamsala, has tirelessly promoted harmony India, His Holiness the 14th amongst the world’s religious Dalai Lama has found a fertile traditions. Despite philosophical ground to revive centuries-old differences, he says all faiths share Tibetan Buddhist traditions and to the same aspiration to elevate the continue the legacy of the Dalai human spirit and improve human Lama institution. Having discarded conditions. The idea that there

17 is one truth and one religion is to peace and international only relevant to the individual understanding has earned him practitioner. However, with universal respect. In 1989, the regard to the wider community, Norwegian Nobel Committee His Holiness says, there is a need awarded His Holiness the Nobel for us to recognize different Peace Prize for his leadership in faiths and respect different the struggle for the liberation aspects of the truth. of Tibet and his advocacy of Calling them secular ethics “peaceful solutions based upon or universal values, His tolerance and mutual respect in Holiness strongly champions order to preserve the historical the cultivation of virtues such and cultural heritage of his as compassion, forgiveness, people.” tolerance, contentment and self- His Holiness the 14th Dalai discipline. He makes a point of Lama stands not only as a talking about the importance of symbol of the Tibetan people such values at every opportunity, and nationhood, but also as a and shares them with everyone global champion of peace and he meets. compassion. His Holiness’s dedicated efforts ***

18 Photo Credits: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama/Tenzin Choejor, Sonam Zoksang and Mary Bloom.

The thanks , Tashi Rabgey, Lobsang Jinpa and Sonam Tsering for their contribution in drafting this document.

The Tibet Fund is also thankful to Chef Eric Ripert for supporting the publication of this brochure.

Printed in May 2019 by The Tibet Fund

19 The Institution of The Dalai Lama

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama represents a highly revered institution that provides spiritual leadership for the people of Tibet and for followers of Buddhism around the world. It is a spiritual institution that emerged and evolved through centuries of history during which the lineage of successive Dalai Lamas presided over Tibet’s transition to the modern era. The 14th Dalai Lama himself has played a defining role, becoming a global symbol of human wisdom and grace for leading the Tibetan people through the political crisis of the twentieth century. It is on this global stage of moral leadership that the modern institution of the Dalai Lama now sits, and from which it will continue to provide a spiritual compass for those of faith around the world. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama stands not only as a symbol of the Tibetan people and nationhood, but also as a global champion of peace and compassion.

THE TIBET FUND 212-213-5011 [email protected] www.tibetfund.org 241 East 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016

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