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. In December 2008, the Dalai Lama announced his semi-retirement after having gallstone surgery.ĭalai Lamas are believed to be the reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist deity and the personification of compassion. 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. He and his followers are exiled to India. Dalai Lama, Tibet's political leader, has strived to make Tibet an independent and democratic state from China.
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