DALAI LAMA

Contributions and impacts of the Dalai Lama - ways he has updated or reformed Buddhism

• The preservation of Tibetan Buddhism

  • The Dalai Lama championed the survival of Tibetan Buddhism while Tibet was under siege from China

    • The fate of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism is intertwined

    • The Dalai Lama’s efforts to preserve Tibetan leadership and culture encompassed the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism

  • The Dalai Lama established the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharmsala in 1959, bringing with him 80,000 refugees

    • Here, he created several institutions to ensure the survival of Tibetan culture, language, literature and religion:

      • Primary and Secondary education system

      • Two universities

      • Several Monasteries

      • Library of Tibetan Works and Archives

        • Leading institute of Tibetology

    • He lead the Tibetan Government in exile for years.

    • In 2011, he passed his political authority to democratically elected officials.

  • As a leader, the Dalai Lama’s efforts have ensured the ongoing survival of Tibetan Buddhism.

• Reformulating the Buddhist Approach to Ethical Issues

  • The Dalai Lama has shaped the Buddhist approach to modern ethical issues

    • The Dalai Lama is an important authority within Buddhism

    • He publicly teaches across the world every year.

      • At the temple in Dharamsala, Bodh Gaya, and in the USA

    • Also written over 118 books

  • He used his teachings to advocate for more tolerant, non-violent and progressive ethical approaches to modern-day issues

    • For the Dalai Lama, ahimsa (non-violence) comes above all else

    • He also furthers the idea of universal responsibility and unity between all religions.

    • Due to philosophy

      • His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination

• Furthering Peace as a Buddhist Ideal

  • The Dalai Lama has spoken extensively about the need for wold peace for the pursuit of inner peace

    • “It is not possible to find peace in the soul without security and harmony between the people.”

    • He has established the pursuit of peace as essential for enlightenment. - the main goal of Buddhism.

    • The Dalai Lama has dedicated his life to the peaceful liberation of Tibet

      • 1987

        • Developed 5 point peace plan for the safe transition of Tibet into a “zone of peace” in harmonious negotiation with the Chinese Government - rejected

        • The Dalai Lama has never resorted to Violence - Ahimsa

        • International law reform + peaceful

      • 1989

        • Nobel peace prize

  • The Dalai Lama as both and advocate and worker for peace, has repositioned peace at the heart of Buddhism.

Popularisation of Buddhism in the West 

• Buddhism remained virtually unknown in the West until the 1800’s, despite its rapid, early spread throughout Asia 

• Buddhism spread to the West in 3 main ways 

  • Western scholars who travelled East and returned with Buddhist ideas 

  • Individual non-Western teachers, writers and artists who delivered Buddhist ideas to a Western Audience 

  • Asian immigrants to Western countries 

• The Dalai Lama has been one of the most visible representatives of Buddhism in the past 50 years 

  • The Dalai Lama has used his influence to bring Buddhism to new people 

    • The Dalai Lama toured: 

      • 63 nations 

      • Meeting world leaders 

      • Speaking at assemblies and universities 

    • He has dedicated his travel in the West to: 

      • Teaching peace 

      • Working towards a liberated Tibet 

      • Increasing Buddhism’s accessibility 

    • Has also written many books that have been published in English 

      • Helped translate complex concepts into mainstream language 

  • The Dalai Lama has entered Western Popular Culture 

    • This again increased interest in Buddhism 

    • He appeared everywhere from 1998 Apple campaigns in the USA - to a 1997 Martian Scorsese film