Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

 

*March 10, 2009*

On this 50th Anniversary of the takeover by China,

that sent the Dalai Lama into exile,

Tibetan Monks protest once again and

Tibetans still remain hostages of the Chinese.

 

The Dalai Lama says “China makes life Hell for Tibetans”.

In an unbroken chain that began in 1391,

The 14th Dalai Lama was born in 1935, recognized at age 2,

enthroned at age five and then began the long

period of traditional training at the age of six.

 

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet
Photo credit: Philip Roelli

 

The Dalai Lama took full political power at sixteen after

Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet was invaded by China.

In 1959, the country was overtaken by brutal military force and

80,000 Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, became refugees.

His Holiness was given Political asylum in India, where he

has remained in exile with his fellow Tibetans since 1960.

 

Tibetan Elder praying in Lhasa
Photo credit: Luca Galuzzi

 

In 1989 the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for

a lifetime of work on behalf of helpless refugees worldwide,

who like Tibetans, struggle for Peace every day of their lives.

During his long term in exile, His Holiness has become an

International traveler with visits to more than 45 Countries.

These visits whether to a head of state, or a small local College,

usually create great excitement and are quickly sold out.

The Dalai Lama’s speaking engagements are booked

nearly 7 years in advance and have included,

local spiritual leaders, International spiritual leaders,

the press, and thousands of students at Cornell, Harvard

current plight of the Tibetan people and why

he is asking China to do the right thing in Tibet.

Monks protesting in Lhasa

 

The Friends of Tibet and World Tibet Day were created to

make the world aware of the plight of the Tibetan people and

of others who seek to help return Tibetans to the autonomy they seek.

A fairly accurate quasi-documentary film about the early years

of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese overthrow of Tibet is:

Seven Years in Tibet with Brad Pitt.

A beautiful selection of photographs by the UK Telegraph

captures the life of His Holiness:

The Dalai Lama in Pictures

His Holiness is reported on by the Vancouver Sun:

Dalai Lama Arrives in Vancouver

BIO: His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

Be sure to watch the Video!