Who is the Dalai Lama and why does he live in exile?

The Dalai Lama is a famous spiritual leader who has played a major role in the history of Tibet. Born in 1935 in a small village, he was named Lhamo Dhondub by his parents, who were farmers. When he was just two years old, Buddhist monks identified him as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, making him the 14th Dalai Lama. He was given the name Tenzin Gyatso and began his religious education at a monastery, eventually earning a high degree in Buddhist philosophy.

In 1950, when the Dalai Lama was only 15, China’s new Communist government sent troops into Tibet. The Dalai Lama became the head of state, but the situation was tense. In 1959, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet. Disguised as a soldier, he escaped to India, where he was granted asylum. He settled in Dharamshala, which became the center for the Tibetan government-in-exile. Around 80,000 Tibetans followed him, hoping to preserve their culture and religion.

The Dalai Lama has always promoted peace and non-violence. He has asked the United Nations to help protect Tibetans and has tried to find a peaceful solution with China. He supports the 'middle way' approach, which means he wants Tibet to have real self-rule but not complete independence from China. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to non-violence. He has met many world leaders and celebrities, spreading his message of peace and compassion.

However, not everyone agrees with his approach. Some Tibetans feel he has been too gentle with China, especially after violent protests in 2008. The Dalai Lama has also faced some controversies, such as a video in 2023 that caused public debate. Despite these issues, he remains a respected figure worldwide.

As he has grown older, there have been questions about who will succeed him. In 2011, he gave up his political power to a democratically-elected government-in-exile. Recently, he confirmed that there will be a new Dalai Lama after he dies, and only his office can choose the successor. China insists they should have a say in the matter, but the Dalai Lama disagrees, saying the next Dalai Lama will be born outside China. The identity of the next Dalai Lama is still unknown, but the current Dalai Lama has made it clear that the tradition will continue, giving hope to Tibetans everywhere.