Important Figures in

Buddhism
Important
Figures in
Buddhism
By Aiden Kjeldsen and Kevin Sittner
The Role of the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama (meaning Ocean of Wisdom) is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally
has been responsible for the governing of Tibet, until the Chinese government took control in 1959.
Before 1959, he lived in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. the Dalai Lama belongs to the
Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the largest and most influential tradition in Tibet.
The institution of the Dalai Lama is a relatively recent one. There have been only 14 Dalai Lamas in
the rich history of Buddhism, and the first and second Dalai Lamas were given the title after they had
passed. According to Buddhist belief, the current Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past Lama.
Buddhists believe that a tulku (A person who decides to be continually reborn) in this reincarnation
was Gedun Drub, who lived from 1391-1474 and the second was Gendun Gyatso. The current Dalai
Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.
 Choosing the Dalai Lama
After the death of a Dalai Lama it has traditionally been the responsibility of the High Lamas of the
Gelugpa Tradition and the Tibetan government to find his reincarnation. The High Lamas search for a
boy who was born around the same time as the death of the current Dalai Lama. They typically search
in the region of Tibet for up to three years for the boy. The High Lamas can find out if the boy is the
next Lama by, one of the High Lamas may dream about some mark or location that will identify the
boy. Smoke: If the previous Dalai Lama was cremated, High Lamas will watch the direction of the
smoke and search accordingly. Or, Oracle Lake: High Lamas go to a holy lake, named Lhamo
Lhatso, in central Tibet and watch for a sign from the lake itself. This may be either a vision or some
indication of the direction in which to search (The home and village of Tenzin Gyatso was identified
in a vision from this lake). After they locate the boy they place artifacts held by the previous Lamas,
if he chooses the artifact of the Lama before him, this means he is the reecarned Lama to continue the
lineage.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso is the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama. He is regarded as the reincarnation of
Thubten Gyatso the Lama before him. Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, to a peasant family in
the province of Amado, located in Tibet. A High Lama had been looking in the sacred lake Lhamo
Lhatso, indicated that Amdo was the village they should search. Furthermore, the vision also clearly
indicated a three storey monastery with a gold and turquoise roof, and another vision of a small house
with odd guttering. A monastery at Kumbum in Amdo fitted the description given by the High Lama
and, after a careful search for the next Lama began. After a few months of searching, they found a
house and presented a mala, or rosary, and a bell that belonged to the deceased Dalai Lamas to the
child, Lhamo instantly identified the items shouting "It's mine, it's mine!" At just over five years old,
he was enrolled in the local monastery and began his training. He was also trained by the highest
monks in the land at Lhasa, (Tibets capital city) he was enthroned at the age of 15 in 1950. Which
was during a time of increasing problems with China, but continued to study until the age of 25,
receiving the highest honours available. The young Lhamo Dhondrub, renamed Jamphel Ngawang
Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, took leadership of the country. From fear of the Chinese government
Gyatso fled to India where he was welcomed and lived, spreading the Buddhist teachings.
The Dalai Lama Today
Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh is a world renowned zen master,

writer, poet, and scholar who is the most
influential buddhist teacher other than the Dalai
Lama. He has written numerous books, his
bestselling works being Peace Is Every Step, The
Miracle of Mindfulness, Living Buddha, Living
Christ and Anger, all of which are widely accepted
as works of art and as a medium for enlightenment.
His passion for teaching Buddhism and spiritual
enlightenment has inspired many people around
the world, primarily inhabitants of Vietnam to
adopt Buddhism as their path.
 His Story
He was born in 1926 and ordained at just age 16. Eight Years later he founded the An Quang Buddhist
institution in Saigon. He then went to the U.S. to teach comparative Religion at Columbia and Princeton
University. Two years later he returned to Vietnam to begin his Buddhism teachings. He established the
Tiep Hien Order or the Order of Interbeing, based upon mindfulness training,around the time of the Vietnam
War, when Buddhas teachings were crucial in combating the hatred,
violence, and divisiveness enveloping Vietnam. Hanh also set
up a school for youth with the goal of social service. A year
after leaving the U.S. in search of peace, Hanh was nominated
for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967.
Upon founding the Unified Buddhist Church in 1969 and later
setting up Plum Village as a meditation center, word spread
quickly about his teachings and many people flocked to visit
him in his home town and hear his teachings.
 His Teachings
Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching is known for its emphasis on joy, engagement
in the world, and integration of mindfulness into daily life. He says when
we become mindful, we become aware of what is going on in our bodies,
our minds, and the world around us. His teaching is based upon conscious
breathing and the awareness of each breath we take. He communicates to
his students that any act is an opportunity to touch the sacred, even he most
simple and ordinary actions. In order to quiet our distracted minds and
return to the current moment, he asks us to end our internal conflicts."If we
are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile, and everyone in our family,
our entire society, will benefit from our peace." With this, Hanh hopes
reveal that "There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way".
Wisdom from Thich Nhat Hanh