The Dalai Lama

The face of Tibet, head of Tibetan Buddhism, a ‘living god’ and utterer of many a feel-good fridge magnet quote, the Dalai Lama is one of the most recognised and respected political figures on earth. Tickets to his appearances around the world sell out in a matter of hours, and it is likely that without his benevolent presence on the global stage over the past six decades, Tibet’s struggles may have been long since forgotten.

The Dalai Lama is Tibet’s spiritual leader, the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and, traditionally, the person responsible for governing Tibet. There have been 14 Dalai Lamas in the history of Tibet, although this title was not recognised until the proclaiming of the third Dalai Lama in 1578, the first and second Dalai Lamas having been declared posthumously.

In 1950 the young Gyatso took on full duties as the 14th Dalai Lama. The following year, Tibet was officially incorporated into the People’s Republic of China, and in 1959, amid growing tensions and revolts, the Dalai Lama fled to India. He has not been able to return to Tibet since, and remains a refugee. As well as leading the Tibetan Government in Exile, based just outside Dharamshala in northern India, the Dalai Lama has travelled the world as a speaker, covering subjects as diverse as physics and astronomy, cognitive neuroscience, women’s rights, sexuality and – of course – Buddhism. In 1989, following the protests in Tiananmen Square, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, thanks in part to his commitment to non-violent resistance against China’s occupation of Tibet. He remains one of the most popular world leaders around the globe.

The Dalai Lama promotes interfaith discussion, and has met with popes, archbishops, and Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh leaders, amongst others. He has described himself as a feminist, an environmentalist and a Marxist. He has yet to decide if he will reincarnate, or if he will be the last Dalai Lama.

Since 1959, China’s policy towards Tibet has only become stricter. Not only is the Dalai Lama himself banned from Tibet, but so are Tibetan national flags, images of the Dalai Lama and copies of his scriptures and teachings. Travellers carrying copies of the Lonely Planet – which contains sections on the Dalai Lama – have had them confiscated. Even Brad Pitt, who starred in the film 1997 Seven Years in Tibet, is forbidden from entering the country. He played Heinrich Harrer, a German mountaineer who escaped from a British PoW camp in India, and ended up in Lhasa where he tutored the young Dalai Lama. The two went on to become friends. Rumour has it that the film’s director and Pitt’s co-star are also banned, as are various celebrities who have spoken out in support of Tibet.