What does “Dalai Lama” mean?
The word “Dalai Lama” is a combination of the Mongolian and Tibetan languages. The word “Dalai” means “Ocean” in Mongolian, while the word “Blama” (Pronounced with a silent ‘b’) is Tibetan for chief or high priest. Of this was born the title Dalai Lama, and since then the word “Lama” is used in general Tibetan culture for the title of Buddhist teachers. The title was bestowed upon the second Dalai Lama, Sonam Gytaso, by the Mongolian leader Altan Khan.
Who is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama?
A Buddhist leader of followers of the Gelug branch of Tibetan Buddhism. He is thought to be the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn or to enlighten others. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935. His name was later changed to Tenzin Gyatso in 1940 when he was officially installed as the spiritual leader of Tibet.
How did he become the 14th Dalai Lama?
After the death of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, the Tibetan government set up a search party to find the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama.
Various signs and visions led them to the exact location of the current Dalai Lama. Once he was located, the 3-year-old child was able to identify several possessions of the 13th Dalai Lama, which was enough to convince the search party they had found what they were looking for. His journey then took him to Kumbum monastery, and he was later officially given the title of Dalai Lama at the age of 5 in 1940.
What is the Dalai Lama’s job?
Each Dalai Lama has served different roles, as both a spiritual and political leader. The 13th Dalai Lama was regarded as the first to make the position of Dalai Lama one that was concerned with politics and foreign affairs. The current Dalai Lama controlled the Central Tibetan Administration from 1959 to 2001, which was the government of the exiled Tibetan society. It’s more common that the Dalai Lama serve as more of an advising role to the Tibetan government, which was the case in the mid-17th century up until 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet.
The Dalai Lama is largely a figure head, regarded as the corner stone of Tibetan culture and spirituality, with each Dalai Lama contributing in his own unique way. It is the Dalai Lama’s job to be the supreme example of peace and compassion to both his people and his enemies.
Why is he living in exile?
His Holiness left Tibet in 1959 in fear for his life when the Chinese invaded and fighting ensued. Today he resides in Dharamsala, India, with some 80,000 Tibetans who followed him, giving it the nickname “Little Lhasa.” The Dalai Lama stated that he will not return to China under any preconditions, but Chinese leaders have said he will only be accepted under Chinese citizenship.
Why did China invade Tibet in the 20th Century?
When Mao Zedong founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949, he and other officials set their sights on “liberating” Tibet in the same way that they did the rest of continental China. Rather than invade the country, China sought to negotiate over the terms of the “liberation,” which would have essentially placed Tibet under communist rule, either as a protectorate or province of the Peoples Republic of China.
The Tibet government refused to come to the bargaining table, leading the PLA (Chinese Army) to invade Tibet, quashing its army in a single battle and forcing Tibet to surrender. Rather than continue the military advance through Tibet, Chairmen Mao halted the invasion until a peaceful resolution could be met about the sovereignty of Tibet. Though most people would have expected the Dalai Lama to denounce the agreement that would make Tibet a part of China, he actually supported it.
It was not until 1956, when Tibetan militias, sponsored by the United States, began fighting back against the PLA occupancy that the Dalai Lama repudiated the agreement.
Why did the Dalai Lama win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989?
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts involving the liberation of Tibet and support of a peaceful resolution instead of using violence.
What is Miami University’s relationship with Tibet?
Miami University offers a Tibetan Studies Semester Program in Dharamsala, India, which allows students to complete a complex cross-cultural course of study. Research is the main focus in this social science and anthropologically focused program. Students are immersed in the Tibetan lifestyle, living and attending classes at Sarah Campus of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. A thematic sequence can be completed during this semester-long study, along with major requirements for anthropology and various languages.
Lindsey Gooch is a sophomore strategic communications major. Matt Ciccone is a senior physics major, math minor. Matt Fitzgerald is a sophomore journalism/political science double major.
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