Joanna Faron
Final Research Paper
5/19/2010



Unique history of Tibet and enigmatic persona of its beloved leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama, have the world recognize and honor it, even though 1950 it was undertaken by one of the greatest country of contemporary world. Living in India, the 14th Dalai Lama established a government-in-exile to help his people to reunite and hope for a better tomorrow. Since the 14th century, Dalai Lama chooses to reincarnate to help people of Tibet, in their journey through life. After his Holiness passes away, careful measures are taken to find his replacement that will continue on with his life mission (Bell p.34).
Originated in India, Buddhism quickly spread outside its boundaries to neighboring countries. In Tibet and some regions of the Himalayas, Buddhism influenced by the area's culture and tradition, it took a form of Tibetan Buddhism. It consists of the Foundational Vehicle, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna teachings. Sharing its fundamentals with other forms of Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism praises beliefs of the circle of life and reincarnation. According to its doctrine, one's soul (atman), transmigrates from rebirth to rebirth until one reaches nirvana “or, as Tibetans call it, "a state beyond sorrow" (Bell p.33). From there, the one approaches Buddahood and can be called a Buddha. This signifies the end of his/her journey on earth.
At times," those who actively practice Buddha's teachings aim to become bodhisattvas, the enlighten beings who choose to reincarnate. In reincarnation, one's deepest level of consciousness moves on to inherit new body after death. Bodhisattvas reincarnate lifetime after lifetime to help all other beings out of samsara (physical world)" (Stewart p.11). In Tibetan traditions, lamas, or the monastic teachers, often choose to reincarnate, and become highly respected "tulku". Dalai Lamas are the tulku, and are "revered as bodhisattva[s] of unconditional compassion” (Stewart p.11). According to Tibetan beliefs, Dalai Lamas are emanations of Chenrezig, the Lord of Mercy and Compassion and the patron Bodhisattva of Tibet. Chenrezig took a vow that he will return to earth until he liberates all of the suffering souls. (Craig, p.3) Dalai Lamas live their lives to fulfill this vow.
The Dalai Lamas' journey on earth begun in early 14th century with The First Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa. He was born in 1391 in Gyurmey Rupa, in the Tsang region of central Tibet to Gonpo Dorjee and Jomo Namkha Kyi. His given name was Pema Dorjee. Later, he was placed in Narthang Monastery, where in 1405, he took his novice vows from the abbot of Khenchen Drupa Sherab. In 1411, he assumed his religious name Gendun Drubpa upon taking the Gelong vows (fully ordained monk) from the abbot of Narthang Monastery. After 5 years, he became a student of the great scholar and reformer Tsongk, the founder of the Gelugpa School. There, as one of the leading lamas, he became an abbot of Ganden Monastery (founded by Tsongkhapa) and received a name “The Perfecter of the Monkshood”. In 1447, Gedun Drupa founded the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse, one of the biggest monastic Universities of the Gelugpa School. The First Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa was a great scholar. He wrote many books on his insight into the Buddha's teachings and philosophy. In 1474, at the age of eighty-four, he died at Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
Not all of the Incarnations of Dalai Lama were able to follow the path of the first one. Few of them died before becoming of age, or soon afterwards; some lived a disorder life (the 6th, who was raised at home instead of monastery). The Third, Fifth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth are examples of Dalai Lamas who devoted their life to the Tibetan people and fulfilled their obligations as a leading lama.
In 1543, the Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso was born at Tolung, near Lhasa. At the age of three, in 1546, he was recognized as the reincarnation of Gedun Gyatso. He received the new name, Sonam Gyatso , while taking novice vows from Panchen Sonam Dakpa at the age of seven. After turning twenty-two, he took the Gelong vows (full ordination) of Bhiksu from Gelek Palsang. In 1578, the third Lama, was invited to Mongolia by Altan Khan; he was so impressed by lama’s wisdom he named him "Dalai Lama", the "Ocean of Wisdom" (Stewart p.27). From that time on, the great name was carried on by next reincarnations of Gendun Drupta. Additionally, Sonam Gyatso founded Kumbum monastery in Tsongkhapa's birthplace and Lithang monastery in Kham. He died in 1588, while teaching in Mongolia.
The Fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso, was born in 1617 in Lhoka Chingwar Taktse. Sonam Choephel, regent of the Fourth Dalai Lama, recognized him as reincarnation of His Holiness. Young Dalai Lama was ordained into monkshood by Lobsang Chogyal (the Third Panchen Lama) at the Drepung monastery, where he was given the name Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. It was time of political turmoil for Tibet. When Gushir Khan, Mongolian chief, defeated the prince of Tsang in Shigatse in 1642, he unified the country, giving the sovereignty of all Tibet to the Fifth Dalai Lama. Ever since, all of Dalai Lamas are acknowledge as the spiritual and political leader of Tibet, as well as the head of the Dge-Lugs-Pa (Yellow Hat) order of Tibetan Buddhists. “To the modern Tibetan the Fifth is a national hero. While other Dalai Lamas are known by their numbers, […] you hear the Fifth spoken of as “The Great Fifth”.” (Bell p.38)
The Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso, was born in 1876 (the year of the Fire Bird) at Thakpo Langdun in south Tibet. In 1878, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and then short after, he moved to Lhasa where he received pre-novice vows by the Panchen Lama, Tenpai Wangchuk. He was named "Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal". During 1879 Thupten Gyatso was enthroned at the Potala Palace, but did not acquired political power until 1895, after achieving maturity. His first, great challenge as a ruler was providing a solution to occupation of Tibet by Czarist Russia and British India. Further, the 13th went through the British invasion of Tibet in 1904, followed by the Chinese in 1909. During the time of occupation, Dalai Lama residence in India. He returned to Tibet after treaty between Great Britain and China was signed. Later, he attempted to modernize Tibet (by opening public institutions, introducing first currency, automobiles, etc) and to eliminate some of the oppressive features of the Tibetan monastic system. On 8 January 1913 Tibet became an independent country. In 1914, Thupten Gyatso reinforced the Tibetan military by organizing special training for the Tibetan army. In 1916, he opened Men-Tse Khang, Tibetan Medical Institute. He died in 1933 at the age of fifty-eight. (Chhaya p.60)
After each Dalai Lamas’ death, an expedition to find his successor is formed. “Generally, there is a gap of between nine months and two years between the passing of Dalai Lama and his reincarnation” (Chhaya, p.57). The council of monks, which includes Panchen Lama (head the influential Tashilhunpo Monastery) and fifteen/ twenty other leading lamas, is responsible for finding his reincarnation. (Bell p.44) The search begins within the year of the former leader's death (Craig, p.11, 1997). Until the new Dalai Lama is found, the regent becomes a temporary leader of the country. Dalai Lama appoints the regent before he passes away.
Former Dalai Lama, usually, "leaves" clues that suppose to help find him after being reborn. After his death, the 13th Dalai Lama was placed in his grave in lotus position with his face toward south. The next morning, he was facing east, which indicated the importance of eastern part of Tibet (Stewart p.11).
Furthermore, the history of 14th Dalai Lama says that appointed regent, Reting, "made a pilgrimage to the sacred lake of Lhamoi Lhatso [...] For its guardian spirit was the goddess Palden Lhamo, who had promised the first Dalai Lama in the vision that she would watch over his successors" (Craig p.13). It is said that "Dalai Lama's soul resides beneath the waters of this secluded lake." (Bell p.44) After few days of prayers and meditation, Reting had a vision. "He saw three Tibetans letters: Ah, Ka, Ma. Then he had a vision of a monastery with a turquoise and golden roof. Finally he saw a small house with strange gutters that stood behind an old poplar tree"(Stewart p.34).
In addition, the oracles take part in finding the new Dalai Lama. The oracles are very influential in Tibet because of their ability to foretell future. Two chiefs, one from Nechung and other from Samye monastery, are responsible for that matter. "Nechung gave out the names of the young boy's father and mother, and whereabouts of their house." Samye, when predicting the place of birth of 13th Dalai Lama,” made known that the mountain near the house was shaped like an elephant." (Bell p.44)
When the above clues lead to a finding of possible candidates, the little boys are examined for the bodily marks. Because of the belief that the Dalai Lama is Incarnation of Chenrezing, who has had four arms; a reincarnated leader is examined for marks near the shoulder blades. "Two other signals [... are] namely large ears, and imprint like that of conch shell on one of the palms of his hands." (Bell p.46)
Next, “the young boy must also identify property, especially the sacred possessions, of his predecessor, or rather of himself in his previous life." (Bell p.46) The articles include: hand bell, small drum (articles of worship), rosary, dorje shaped like a small dumbbell (symbol of power indestructible), drinking cup, handkerchief, and other common items used frequently. "Two of those two religious implements or other articles are placed side by side, one being that used by his predecessor, and the other an exact copy of it." (Bell p.44)
When the 13th Dalai Lama passed away, “the oracle gave instructions to send three search teams, one each to Dokpo, in the southeast, Kham in the east, and Amdo in the northeast.” The first day of the journey was determined by astrological calculations. Although there was a strong winter storm on the first day of the search the sun broke through and begun to melt away the heavy snow. A few days into the journey, the search party “received the word that the Panchen Lama, who second only to Dalai Lama, had identify three possible child claimants as the reincarnations.” Out of the three candidates, one of them had died and one failed to recognize the Dalai Lama’s rosary. This left only one possible candidate.
In Kumbum monastery, two men from Lhasa saw three-story tall “temple with greenish blue tiles. They also saw a pathway curving around the hill and ending near a blue single story house with a gutter.” It was a house of 14th Dalai Lama who was named Lhamo Dhondup when he was recognized as reincarnation of 13th Dalai Lama. Lhamo’s memory of the day when the search party first came to his house is that he “recognized many of them although he never met them.” He, also, recognized his rosary on abbot’s neck. The search party was instructed to test the boy further by asking him to recognize some of the belongings of 13th Dalai Lama. He was presented with a set of two items that look alike. He was supposed to recognize all of the items that belonged to 13th Dalai Lama. Items included two black, and two yellow rosaries, two sticks with iron and bronze handles, ivory drums, one ornate, one simple. He easily chose all the correct possessions. "It was as if I was looking at things that I was accustomed to,” Dalai Lama said. In addition, the search team figures out the meaning of the letters A, Ka, and Ma as Amado, Kumbum, and hermitage of Karma Shar-ston. (Chhaya p.59-60) After further investigation, it was discovered that while returning from his trip from China, the 13th Dalai Lama, had stopped near a place where his reincarnation was born.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born on 6 July 1935. He was proclaimed the rebirth of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. Lhamo Dhondup began his monastic education at the age of six. Subject studied by him included: logic, Tibetan art and culture, Sanskrit, medicine, and Buddhist philosophy. In 1950, when he was fifteen, the army of the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet. Four years later, in 1954, His Holiness went to Beijing for peace talks with Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders. In 1959, when Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa, Dalai Lama was forced to escape into exile. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, northern India where he established a government-in-exile.
The Dalai Lama is well known by his public speaking worldwide. He is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West, where he spread Buddhist teachings and to promote ethics and harmony. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Also, in 2006, he was given honorary Canadian citizenship, and was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. He has received more than 100 honorary conferment and awards.
The history of Dalai Lama’s lives is rich, but esoteric. When Rajiv Mehrotra asked 14th Dalai Lama about him as a reincarnation of previous Dalai Lamas, he answered: “there are different types of reincarnation. In some cases, it’s the same person or same being. In other cases, it’s not the same being, but someone else who has come in his or her place. In some, the reincarnation has come as a relative. If you ask me whether I am the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, my answer is yes but not necessarily in the sense that I came in the tenth Dalai Lama’s place to fulfill his work. […] I don’t believe that I am necessarily the same being [as 13th Dalai Lama]. I feel, however, that I have a very strong karmic link with him.” (Mehrotra, p. 80-81). One thing is sure, the Dalai Lama’s journey on earth inspires people to live according to Buddhist doctrines and gives Tibetan greater hopes for years to come.




















CITATION


Bell Charles. “Portrait of a Dalai Lama: The Life and Times of the Great Thirteenth.”

Wisdom Publications, 1987


Chhaya Mayank. “Dalai Lama: Man, Monk, Mystic.” Doubleday NY 1st ed. 2007


Craig Mary. “Kundun.” HarperCollins Publisher, 1997


Mehrotra Rajiv. “All You Ever Want to Know form His Holiness The Dalai Lama, On

Happiness, Life, Living, and Much More. Conversation with Rajiv Mehrotra.”

Hay House. 2008


Steward Whitney. “The 14th Dalai Lama.” Lerner Publication Company, 1996