The Dalai Lama

Ten-dzin-gya-tsho, Dalai Lama XIV

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935, was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader of Tibet, he is a Nobel Peace Laureate. The first Dalai Lama to come to the West, he speaks widely for ecumenism, human compassion for all beings, environmental protection, and world peace.

The Dalai Lama's web site, www.DalaiLama.com, says that His Holiness recognizes Three Main Commitments in Life:

Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness' first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness' second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world's major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other's respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the 'Dalai Lama'. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice.

Links to the Dalai Lama Series:

Could not connect: Access denied for user 'haa_user'@'localhost' (using password: YES)