• Name: Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, shortened as Tenzin Gyatso; né Lhamo Dhondup
• Title: The Dalai Lama 
• Birth Date: July 6, 1935
• Birthplace: Taktser, Amdo, Tibet‍
• Best Known For: His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, a Nobel Peace laureate, and a global advocate for compassion and peace. He promotes harmony among the world’s religions and engages in dialogue with leading scientists. Renowned for his erudition, open-minded scholarship, meditative attainments, and humility, His Holiness often says, “I am a simple Buddhist monk.”

The Dalai Lama: A Life of Compassion, Wisdom, and Global Impact

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He is the spiritual leader of Tibet. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn in the world to help humanity.

He was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family, in the small village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and was officially enthroned in 1940 at the age of five. 

Just ten years later, at age 15, he was called upon to assume full political leadership of Tibet in 1950 at the start of the tumultuous period of China’s invasion of Tibet. In 1959, following the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, His Holiness was forced to escape into exile in India. Since then, he has been living in Dharamsala, northern India. 

In exile, His Holiness undertook initiatives to advocate for peace for Tibet as well as to democratize and strengthen the Tibetan exile government and system. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.

His Holiness has traveled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion.  He has also authored or co-authored more than 110 books.

Over the decades, the Dalai Lama has become a global symbol of peace, compassion, and resilience. His work is guided by four principal commitments that reflect his vision to contribute to the betterment of humanity.

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1. Promoting Human Values
   His Holiness first commitment is to promote human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. “All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their lives happier.”
    

2. Fostering Religious Harmony
   As a religious practitioner, his second commitment is promotion of religious harmony and understanding amongst different religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create better human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other's respective traditions.

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3. Preserving Tibetan Culture and Protecting the Environment
   As a Tibetan, and carrying the trust and hope of the people of Tibet, His Holiness's third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. “I have a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson for the Tibetans in their struggle for justice, and will continue until a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and the Chinese.” 

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4. Reviving Ancient Indian Wisdom for Modern Times
   More recently, His Holiness has spoken of the promotion of ancient Indian wisdom based on Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karuna (compassion) as part of his overall commitments. His efforts call to revive the ancient Indian knowledge of the workings of the mind and emotions that has the potential to positively develop contemporary society. 
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Now in his 90th year, the Dalai Lama continues to inspire with his humility, humor, and unwavering dedication to a better world. His life is a living example of how compassion, wisdom, and action can bring light even in the most challenging times.

Below are ten significant milestones in the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. These milestones encapsulate the Dalai Lama's journey as a spiritual leader and his enduring commitment to promoting peace and preserving Tibetan culture.

1. Birth: Born as Lhamo Thondup on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, Amdo region, Tibet. ​ 
2. Recognition as Dalai Lama: Identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1937. ​ 
3. Enthronement: Formally enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama on February 22, 1940, in Lhasa, Tibet. ​ 
4. Assumption of Full Political Power: Assumed full political authority as the head of the Tibetan government on November 17, 1950, amidst the Chinese invasion of Tibet. ​
5. Exile to India: In 1959, following the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, His Holiness was forced to escape into exile in India.
6. Establishment of Government-in-Exile: Established the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India, in April 1959 to preserve Tibetan culture and advocate for Tibetan rights. ​
7. First Visit to the West: Traveled to Western countries for the first time in 1973, promoting awareness of the Tibetan cause and engaging in interfaith dialogues. ​
8. Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1989, in recognition of his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. ​ 
9. Devolution of Political Authority: In March 2011, announced his decision to devolve political authority, and signed into law the formal transfer of his temporal power to democratically elected leadership.
10. Continued Advocacy and Teachings: Throughout his life, the Dalai Lama has remained a global advocate for peace, compassion, and human rights, continuing to teach and engage with leaders and communities worldwide. Vision seeks to harness both ancient insights and contemporary science to benefit humanity as a whole. (consider rewording this section to use language that is mainstream now like meditation, mental health, etc.)

Now in his 90th year, the Dalai Lama continues to inspire with his humility, humor, and unwavering dedication to a better world. His life is a living example of how compassion, wisdom, and action can bring light even in the most challenging times.