The Buddhist belief of rebirth is a concept of "renewal" and not exactly reincarnation of a spirit or body. Buddhism encourages its followers not to believe in those teachings, as followers of other religions believe in their religion's central figures and dogma, but rather to explore, understand, and test the truths against their own experiences. Within these truths are countless layers of teachings on the nature of existence, life, death and the self. Unlike other religions that are centered on a supreme being, Buddhism is centered on four basic truths: Life is not perfect people are left unsatisfied by trying to make life perfect people can realize there is a better way to achieve fulfillment and by living one's life through wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline, people will reach enlightenment. Buddhism came to Tibet in the 8th century, CE. Originating in India, the religion spread throughout most of eastern and southern Asia. Put together, the title of Dalai Lama is literally "Ocean Teacher," meaning a "teacher spiritually as deep as the ocean." Buddhist Teachingsīuddhism was created in the sixth century, BCE, with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, making it one of the oldest religions practiced today. "Lama" is the equivalent of the Sanskrit word "guru," or spiritual teacher. "Dalai" means "ocean" in Mongolian (the name "Gyatso" comes from the Tibetan word for ocean). Dalai Lamas are also enlightened beings who have postponed their own afterlife and chosen to take rebirth to benefit humanity. Young Lhamo was renamed Tenzin Gyatso and proclaimed the 14th Dalai Lama.ĭalai Lamas are believed to be the reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist deity and the personification of compassion. After several months of searching for a successor to the 13th Dalai Lama and following many significant spiritual signs, religious officials located Lhamo Thondup, at age 2, and identified him as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. Lhamo Thondup was the fifth of 16 children-seven of whom died at a young age. For nearly 50 years, he had aimed to establish Tibet as a self-governing, democratic state. Tibetans believe him to be the reincarnation of his predecessors. He is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamshala, India. Lhamo Thondup was born on Jin Taktser, China, northeast of Tibet, to a peasant family. In December 2008, the Dalai Lama announced his semi-retirement after having gallstone surgery. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The Dalai Lama has also conducted hundreds of conferences, lectures and workshops worldwide, as part of his humanitarian efforts. However, the Chinese government has shown no signs of moving toward peace and reconciliation with Tibet. Since then, the Dalai Lama has taken numerous actions in hopes of establishing an autonomous Tibetan state within the People's Republic of China. Fearing assassination, he and thousands of followers fled to Dharamshala in northern India, where they established an alternative government. The People's Republic of China invaded that same year. At age 15, he assumed political power of Tibet as the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Thondup on Jin Taktser, China.
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