« Just as the lotus can live in muddy waters without being soiled,
wisdom can exist in an impure world without being contaminated.»

His Holiness the Dalaļ Lama

The dalaļ lama is the highest spiritual leader of the tibetan school of buddhism called Gueloupga ( the school of the yellow hats ). The present dalaï lama is also the political leader of the theocratic regime of Tibet since China invaded it, in 1959. "Dalaļ lama" is a title that signifies "ocean of wisdom". The dalaļ lamas are considered to be the manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, of which the name is Chenrezig in tibetan, and Avalokiteshvara in sanskrit. The bodhisattvas are enlightened beings that have retarded their own nirvana to chose to be reborn as servants of humanity.

At the death of the dalaļ lama, ( our present lama is the 14th reincarnation of the first dalaï lama ; Gedun Drub ) his monks start the search for his reincarnation. This search is conducted both by traditionnal ways of investigation, the latest manifesting such as recognition of objects which were the proprety of the past dalaļ lama, and also by ways completely spiritual. The one which is thought to be the reincarnation of the past dalaļ lama, is then brought to a great monastery to be taught by many other highly advanced lamas during many years.

The dalaļ lama is the spiritual leader of the Gelugpa school of tibetan buddhism, but he also receives the highest teachings and powers from all the principal schools of tibetan buddhism. He also represents the hearth of the teaching of all other schools.

The present dalaļ lama : Tenzin Gyatso

It's in 1950, at the age of 16, that the dalaļ lama became the leader of the tibetan gouvernment. In 1949, the communists arrived in power in China and, denying Tibet's requests for independance, sent their military troups in 1950 to "liberate" and "civilise" the population. The present dalaļ lama would pass the following 9 years in search of a pacific solution to the crisis, before being forced to flee in India, where he established himself in Dharamsala, the tibetan gouvernment in exile. During the cultural revolution, the persecution of the population was very high. The monasteries were destroyed, monks and nons were emprisonned and tortured. Even with all of that, the dalaļ lama remained convinced that the solution was in a pacific truce with China. Without rest, and always in the way of non-violence, he proposed a democratic and independant Tibet working in union with China. He traveled the whole world to spread the knowledge of what was happening to his own country, while also always teaching the tibetan doctrine of compassion and helping thousands by his cheerful mood and his advice on leading a more harmonious life, and greater inner peace. His entire life is an immense exemple of humilty, wisdom and compassion.

The dalaļ lama received the Nobel price of Peace in 1989.

To this day, he still maintains that he is only, but a simple buddhist monk.

According to this website :
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama

You can also visit :

www.dalailama.com       A brief biography       www.tibet.net