The Jokhang Temple where the 14th Dalai Lama took his final examination in 1959.
Career
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
1955
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, gives a speech.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
1955
The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama meets with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai to celebrate Tibetan New Year.
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1956
Lhasa, Tibet
The Dalai Lama makes a speech during an official function in Lhasa, Tibet, on July 12, 1956.
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1957
Lhasa, Tibet
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, seated on his throne and wearing the gold peaked cap which is his Crown, smiles while giving an audience in Lhasa, Tibet.
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1957
Calcutta, India
The Dalai Lama giving his blessing to a crowd gathered for a farewell ceremony.
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1959
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who lives in exile in India and leads the non-violent campaign of opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet.
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1961
New Delhi, India
The Dalai Lama and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in New Delhi where they are meeting to discuss the rehabilitation of Tibetans who crossed the border to India during the Chinese/Tibetan crisis.
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1973
Bishop's, London SE1 7JU, United Kingdom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Michael Ramsey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, outside Lambeth Palace on October 25, 1973.
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1981
Bishop's, London SE1 7JU, United Kingdom
The Dalai Lama greets 15 year old Stephen Ross from the Kelvin School, Belfast who is on a visit to Lambeth Palace, London.
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1982
Vatican
The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, is shown with Pope John Paul II during an audience.
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1987
New York City, New York, United States
The 14th Dalai Lama and Richard Gere in New York City.
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2012
Mirandola, Italy
The XIV Dalai Lama speaks next to Mirandola's mayor Maino Benatti.
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2012
Mirandola, Italy
The XIV Dalai Lama embraces a woman during a visit to Italy.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
2012
St. James's, London SW1A 1BA, United Kingdom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, at Clarence House on June 20, 2012 in London.
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2012
London, United Kingdom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Templeton Prize in a ceremony on May 14, 2012.
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2013
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, United States
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, greets the man that he calls his hero, Richard Moore, at Gwinnett Center Arena.
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2013
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097, United States
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, speaks at Gwinnett Center Arena.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
2014
Inglewood, California, United States
The XIV Dalai Lama and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts appear onstage at The Forum.
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2014
Inglewood, California, United States
The XIV Dalai Lama and Maria Shriver in California.
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2014
Inglewood, California, United States
The XIV Dalai Lama speaks at The Forum on February 25, 2014 in Inglewood, California.
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2015
Frankfurt, Germany
The XIV Dalai Lama attends the 80th birthday celebrations at the Jahrhunderthalle.
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2015
Frankfurt, Germany
The XIV Dalai Lama greets the singer of the band Senegal + Kongo during his 80th birthday celebrations at the Jahrhunderthalle.
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2015
Glastonbury, United Kingdom
His holiness the Dalai Lama attends the third day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton, on June 28, 2015.
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2016
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
The Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga at JW Marriott on June 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
2016
1 Allée du Zénith, 67201 Eckbolsheim, France
The 14th Dalai Lama speaks on stage during a Buddhist teaching at the Le Zenith on September 18, 2016.
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2019
Siyal Rd, Near Bengali Hotel, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, India
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the welcoming ceremony on his arrival at Ngari Monastery.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
2019
New Delhi, India
The Dalai Lama speaks during a conference.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
2019
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama holds a photo representing Mother Teresa with him.
Gallery of Dalai Lama XIV
1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama addresses the Twin Cities Tibetan community at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis.
Achievements
Membership
Awards
Nobel Peace Prize
1989
The 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize on October 6, 1989.
Congressional Gold Medal
2007
United States
The Dalai Lama receiving a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.
Ahimsa Award
2007
His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Ahimsa Award.
Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award
2009
Prague, Czech Republic
The 14th Dalai Lama received the Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award.
Lantos Human Rights Prize
2009
His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Lantos Human Rights Prize.
International Freedom Conductor Award
2010
United States
The 14th Dalai Lama received the International Freedom Conductor Award.
Templeton Prize
2012
London, United Kingdom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Templeton Prize in a ceremony on May 14, 2012.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom Medal
Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom Medal that the 14th Dalai Lama received in 1994.
Liberty Medal
The Liberty Medal that the Dalai Lama received in 2015.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, seated on his throne and wearing the gold peaked cap which is his Crown, smiles while giving an audience in Lhasa, Tibet.
The Dalai Lama and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in New Delhi where they are meeting to discuss the rehabilitation of Tibetans who crossed the border to India during the Chinese/Tibetan crisis.
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama and actor Richard Gere attend the New York Lawyers Alliance for World Security Annual Peace Award Salute to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.
(In this astonishingly frank autobiography, the Dalai Lama...)
In this astonishingly frank autobiography, the Dalai Lama reveals the remarkable inner strength that allowed him to master both the mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism and the brutal realities of Chinese Communism.
The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice
(In this book, the Dalai Lama delivers a presentation that...)
In this book, the Dalai Lama delivers a presentation that is both concise and profound, accessible and engaging. As readers explore Tibetan Buddhism more fully than ever before, they will find in His Holiness a great friend and authority.
(In this book, the Dalai Lama shows how through the practi...)
In this book, the Dalai Lama shows how through the practice of patience and tolerance we can overcome the obstacles of anger and hatred. He bases his discussion on A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, the classic work on the activities of Bodhisattvas – those who aspire to attain full enlightenment in order to benefit all beings.
(Based on 2,500 years of Buddhist meditations mixed with a...)
Based on 2,500 years of Buddhist meditations mixed with a healthy dose of common sense, The Art of Happiness is a book that crosses the boundaries of traditions to help readers with difficulties common to all human beings. After being in print for ten years, this book has touched countless lives and uplifted spirits around the world.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium
(This work presents the Dalai Lama's prescription for the ...)
This work presents the Dalai Lama's prescription for the spiritual expansion of humankind. Addressing what he sees as the spiritual void in modern society, the Dalai Lama calls for the necessity of virtue and greater compassion. Besides discussing ways in which we may care for the environment, he gives guidance in the techniques of contemplation.
(Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead sp...)
Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers toward enlightenment, How to Practice is a constant companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. This accessible book will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, and maintiaining mental tranquility as the Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking.
(This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to ...)
This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama's teachers – both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.
(Enlivened by personal anecdotes and intimate accounts of ...)
Enlivened by personal anecdotes and intimate accounts of the Dalai Lama's own life experiences, "How to See Yourself As You Really Are" is an inspirational and empowering guide to achieving self-awareness that can be read and enjoyed by spiritual seekers of all faiths.
(His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers powerful, profound adv...)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers powerful, profound advice on how to live a peaceful and fulfilling life amidst all the conflicts of the modern world.
(There has never been one entirely dedicated to the spirit...)
There has never been one entirely dedicated to the spiritual life of the Dalai Lama. Yet as one of the world's most recognized and respected spiritual leaders there will clearly be great interest in such a work from His Holiness' thousands of friends and followers around the world.
(Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World is a 2011 book ...)
Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World is a 2011 book by the 14th Dalai Lama. It is about secular ethics use in our everyday life. Those are ethics that can be used by both religious and non-religious people.
The Wisdom of Compassion: Stories of Remarkable Encounters and Timeless Insights
(The Wisdom of Compassion offers rare insights into the Da...)
The Wisdom of Compassion offers rare insights into the Dalai Lama's life and his efforts to translate compassion into action through deeply engaging, behind-the-scene stories about his interactions with remarkable people from all walks of life.
A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World
(Revelatory, motivating, and highly persuasive, A Force fo...)
Revelatory, motivating, and highly persuasive, A Force for Good is arguably the most important work from one of the world's most influential spiritual and political figures.
(The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World is...)
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World is a book by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu published in 2016 by Cornerstone Publishers. In this nonfiction, the authors discuss the challenges of living a joyful life.
The 14th Dalai Lama, also known as Tenzin Gyatso, is the current Dalai Lama. He served as the head of state of the Central Tibetan Administration from 1959 to 2012. The Dalai Lama also wrote books about Buddhism and religion, such as Beyond Religion, The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace and The Art of Happiness.
Background
Ethnicity:
The 14th Dalai Lama's family was of Monguor extraction.
The 14th Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, Amdo, Tibet. He is a son of Choekyong Tsering and Diki Tsering. The 14th Dalai Lama also has two sisters and five brothers. The future Dalai Lama was given the birth name of Lhamo Thondup, which translates as "wish-fulfilling goddess."
According to his mother, his birth was preceded by strange happenings, including the death of the family's small herd of horses, years of drought and famine, and the mysterious illness of his father. When Lhamo Thondup was born, his father was suddenly cured of his sickness and rains once again returned. Lhamo Thondup's mother often found him packing his clothes and his belongings. When she asked where he was going, he would reply that he was going to Lhasa.
Education
After the death of the 13th Dalai Lama Buddhist monks went out on the journey in order to find the new Dalai Lama. They found Lhamo at his house and spoke to him and to his parents and performed a test. The monks had brought several items with them from their home monastery. Some of the items had belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama and others were imitations or just common objects. Lhamo correctly identified the objects that had belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. The monks took Lhamo to a monastery in Kumbum, Tibet. For two years he was given the basic education he would need to lead his country both spiritually and politically. After this he was brought to the Potala palace in Lhasa, then the capital of the independent Tibetan state.
The 14th Dalai Lama received his monastic education starting at the age of six. While Yongdzin Trijang Rinpoche was his junior teacher, Yongdzin Ling Rinpoche served as his senior teacher. In 1959, at the age of 23, he took his final examination at Lhasa's Jokhang Temple during the annual Monlam or Prayer Festival. He passed with honours and was awarded the Lharampa degree, the highest-level geshe degree, roughly equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy.
Later a number of Western universities and institutions have conferred peace awards and honorary doctorate degrees upon the Dalai Lama in recognition of his distinguished writings in Buddhist philosophy.
Lhamo Thondup was only four years old on February 22, 1940, when the monks declared that he was the new Dalai Lama. He took the name Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso in honor of lamas who had served before him. Since then, however, he has only used a shortened version of that name for himself – Tenzin Gyasto.
Mainland China had become a communist nation in 1949 after World War II. Eighty thousand members of the Chinese army invaded Tibet in early 1950. On November 17, 1950, at the age of 15, the 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned formally as the temporal ruler of Tibet. Four years later, along with the 10th Panchen Lama, he crossed borders to meet the Chinese leader Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Chou Enlai for initiating peace talks. He attended the first session of the National People's Congress as a delegate. On September 15, 1954 the Dalai Lama became a vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a post he officially held until December 21, 1964. He also was appointed the head of state of the Central Tibetan Administration in 1955 and held this post until 2012.
In March 1959 the Dalai Lama was invited to a Chinese theatrical performance, a deception that had been used previously to kidnap Tibetan leaders. Accordingly, he stayed in his palace, surrounded by thousands of his followers, while the Chinese sent in troops. On March 17 the Dalai Lama escaped from the palace, accompanied by his mother, sister, and a small group of followers, and headed over the Himalaya Mountains on horseback toward India. After two weeks the group reached the mountain village of Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama established a Government of Tibet in Exile. The city came to be known as "Little Lhasa." Since then, His Holiness has been living in Dharamsala.
After the Chinese invasion, the Dalai Lama, through his Central Tibetan Administration, made appeals to the United Nations for the rights of Tibetans. The appeals led to the formation of three resolutions, which were adopted by the General Assembly in 1959, 1961 and 1965. In 1967 the Indian government finally permitted the Dalai Lama to travel, and since then he has visited almost fifty countries, including the United States. In 1973, the Dalai Lama met Pope Paul VI in Vatican City. He also has held discussions with heads of different religions and participated in many events promoting inter-religious harmony and understanding.
In 2001, after a meeting between the Dalai Lama and President George W. Bush, the White House announced its support of the preservation of Tibetan culture, language, and religion. In 2007, the Dalai Lama participated in the Third Meeting of the Board of World Religious Leaders held in Amritsar India. On March 14, 2011 His Holiness wrote to the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies requesting it to relieve him of his temporal authority. On May 29, 2011 His Holiness signed the document formally transferring his temporal authority to the democratically elected leader. As a result the Dalai Lama formally put an end to the 368-year old tradition of the Dalai Lamas functioning as both the spiritual and temporal head of Tibet.
The Dalai Lama wrote a lot of books devoted to Buddhism, meditation and religion. His most famous books are The Book of Joy, The Art of Happiness and My Spiritual Autobiography. The Dalai Lama also gives public talks for non-Buddhist audiences and teaches Buddhism. In 1984 he was invited to give teachings on the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising in London. He returned to London in 1996 in order to teach the Four Noble Truths, the basis and foundation of Buddhism. He also gave lectures at Lehigh University, the University of Minnesota, Rutgers University and Colgate University. The Dalai Lama's best known teaching subject is the Kalachakra tantra which, as of 2014, he had conferred a total of 33 times.
(Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World is a 2011 book ...)
2011
Religion
After his escape from Tibet to India the Dalai Lama has overseen the construction of about two hundred Tibetan monasteries in India in order to preserve religious traditions. The Dalai Lama met with many famous religious figures, among them Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop of Canterbury. He also has meet with senior Eastern Orthodox Church, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, and Sikh officials. In 2006 he met the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
On November 26, 2007, the Dalai Lama took part in the Third Meeting of the Board of World Religious Leaders in Amritsar in order to discuss the topic of Love and Forgiveness. On January 6, 2009, the Dalai Lama inaugurated an interfaith "World Religions-Dialogue and Symphony."
Politics
As the head of state of the Central Tibetan Administration the Dalai Lama attempted to create a piece of Tibet in a foreign land, thereby preserving his nation's cultural traditions. The Dalai Lama has helped refugees settle on agricultural land in northern India. He also established a Tibetan educational system in order to teach the Tibetan children the language, history, religion, and culture. In the following years, he started the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, both of which became the primary university for Tibetans in India.
The Dalai Lama managed to inspire United Nations resolutions that called on China to respect human rights in Tibet and to allow for free choice for the people. In response to criticism of Tibet's impractical political system, the Dalai Lama helped draw up a democratic Tibetan constitution in 1963 which provided for a parliament elected directly by the people. Since the Indian government finally permitted the Dalai Lama to travel in 1967 he has visited almost fifty countries, including the United States. On his journeys he speaks of conditions in his homeland under the continued rule of the Chinese and addresses spiritual questions. In his speeches the Dalai Lama opposed the use of violence in efforts to liberate Tibet.
The Dalai Lama has referred to himself as a Marxist. He said that he learned about Marxist theory during his trip to Beijing. He likes the concepts of self-sufficiency and equal distribution of wealth. However, he said that the historical communist states such as the Soviet Union were far more concerned with their narrow national interests than with the Workers' International. He added that one flaw of historically Marxist regimes is that they place too much emphasis on destroying the ruling class, and not enough on compassion.
Views
The Dalai Lama is outspoken in his concerns about environmental problems. He said that ecology should be part of people's daily life. In 2005, he started campaigning for wildlife conservation, including by issuing a religious ruling against wearing tiger and leopard skins as garments. The Dalai Lama advocates compassion for animals and frequently urges people to try vegetarianism or at least reduce their consumption of meat.
The Dalai Lama has said that sex offers fleeting satisfaction and leads to trouble later, while chastity offers a better life and "more independence, more freedom." However, he said that in modern times all common, consensual sexual practices that do not cause harm to others are ethically acceptable and that society should accept and respect people who are gay or transgender from a secular point of view. He has expressed concern at reports of violence and discrimination against gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Dalai Lama urges respect, tolerance and the full recognition of human rights for all. The Dalai Lama has said that, from the perspective of the Buddhist precepts, abortion is an act of killing. However, he admitted that in certain cases abortion could be considered ethically acceptable if the unborn child will be retarded or if the birth will create serious problems for the parent.
Quotations:
"It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible."
"Religion does not mean just precepts, a temple, monastery, or other external signs, for these as well as hearing and thinking are subsidiary factors in taming the mind."
"I feel that the essence of spiritual practice is your attitude toward others."
"I am a simple Buddhist monk – no more, no less."
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
"Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence. It results from the profound interdependence we all share with one another."
"Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself."
"From the moment of birth every human being wants happiness and freedom and wants to avoid suffering. In this we are all the same; and the more we care for the happiness of others the greater our own sense of each other becomes."
"We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it then no politician or even a magician can save the planet."
"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness … the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives."
"Media people should have long noses like an elephant to smell out politicians, mayors, prime ministers and businessmen. We need to know the reality, the good and the bad, not just the appearance."
Membership
The Dalai Lama is a member of the Board of World Religious Leaders as part of The Elijah Interfaith Institute.
Personality
As a child the 14th Dalai Lama loved working with mechanical things. He spent a great deal of time with his telescope. He enjoyed taking watches and small machines apart and putting them back together. There were only four cars in all of Tibet at that time and three belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso loved working with the engines and trying to drive the cars. The Dalai Lama has said that had he not been brought up as a monk he would probably have been an engineer.
The Dalai Lama has a wish to develop meaningful scientific dialogue to explore the Buddhism and science interface, that led to invitations for him to attend relevant conferences on his visits to the west, including the Alpbach Symposia on Consciousness in 1983. He had discussions with the late Chilean neuroscientist Francisco J. Varela. Later the American social entrepreneur and innovator R. Adam Engle organized 'Mind and Life' dialogue on the cognitive sciences, which was eventually held with the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala in 1987. Over the ensuing decades, as of 2014 at least 28 dialogues between the Dalai Lama and panels of various world-renowned scientists have followed, held in various countries and covering diverse themes, from the nature of consciousness to cosmology and from quantum mechanics to the neuroplasticity of the brain. The Dalai Lama still spends much of his time and resources investigating the interface between Buddhism and science.
Quotes from others about the person
Richard Gere: "I think the universality of His Holiness' words and teachings have made this so much bigger than just Tibet. When His Holiness won the Nobel Peace Prize, there was a quantum leap. He is not seen as solely a Tibetan anymore; he belongs to the world."
Desmond Tutu: "I give great thanks to God that he has created a Dalai Lama. Do you really think, as some have argued, that God will be saying: You know, that guy, the Dalai Lama, is not bad. What a pity he's not a Christian?"
Kundun: A Biography of the Family of the Dalai Lama
Here is the story of Tibet as told by its remarkable first family – a story of reincarnation, coronation, heartbreaking exile, and finally the tenacious efforts of a holy man to save a nation and its people.
1997
The Fourteen Dalai Lamas: A Sacred Legacy of Reincarnation
In The Fourteen Dalai Lamas, author Glenn H. Mullin vividly brings to life the myth and succession of all 14 Dalai Lamas in one volume for the first time. The book contains a chapter on each Dalai Lama. Each chapter opening features an illustration of the Dalai Lama who is the subject of that chapter.
2001
Kundun
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.