Dalai Lama Research Paper

The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Yellow Hat Sect of the Tibetan Buddhists. The Yellow Hat Sect originated in the 1300s with the first Dalai Lama being born in 1391, although the title of the Dalai Lama was not used until the 1570s. The Mongolian king at the time, Altan Kham, actually created the name Dalai Lama, meaning “ocean of wisdom” during the time of the third Dalai Lama. Tibetan Buddhists often refer to the Dalai Lama as the Rgyal-ba Rin-po-che as well, meaning “precious conqueror.”

The title of Dalai Lama is not something an individual can earn, but rather something someone is born into. The Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation, so every time the Dalai Lama dies they develop a professional search party and go out looking for the child who is the recreation of the past Dalai Lama. The men in the search committee use “mystical clues,”

His name was Lhamo Thondup as a young child, but eventually changed to Tenzin Gyatso. He was born in 1935 and has been the Dalai Lama since he was three years old. The process of his finding was very similar to all Dalai Lamas before. The committee relied upon dreams and visions which lead them to him. He passed the recognition test and was confirmed to be the Dalai Lama by the servants. The Dalai Lama was taking from his home soon after being discovered. He was then sent to the monastery where he studied Buddhist philosophy and logic, as well as Tibetan art, music, and culture, Sanskrit, drama and poetry. He also studied foreign relations. By the time the 14th Dalai Lama was 16 years old he was already a political figure head. Because of conflict that arose the Dalai Lama was advised to leave Tibet. Since then he has traveled the world speaking of Buddhist teachings and peace. In 1989 the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in humanitarian work. He also became a professor at Atlanta’s Emory University where he hosts annual study abroad trips to