Dalai Lama — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism
The 14th Dalai Lama, formally recognized in 1939
Served as the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet until his exile in 1959
Led the Tibetan government in exile, establishing the Central Tibetan Administration in India in 1959
Advocates for the welfare of Tibetans and the Middle Way Approach with China
Retired as political head in 2011 to make way for a democratic government

Biography

The 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935, and known spiritually as Tenzin Gyatso, is the incumbent Dalai Lama and the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered a living Bodhisattva, an emanation of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He was selected as the tulku of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1937 and formally recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama in 1939, with his enthronement ceremony held in Lhasa in 1940.