Dalai Lama

Issues involved in setting the Dalai Lama in his historical context

The history of the beginning of Dalai Lama goes back to sixteenth century. They are known as the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism. They governed the Tibet until the Chinese came in 1959. They belong to the biggest and most powerful Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. According to their belief, the present Dalai Lama is a reborn of the older Lama to continue his work. This man who reincarnate repeatedly is known as tulku. So the first tulku was Gedun Drub, who existed from 1391 to 1474. There are 14 Dalai Lama including the current one Tenzin Gyatso. The meaning of Dalai Lama is Ocean of Wisdom given to a person whose teachings are as deep as the ocean. It is a Mongolian term and was discussed in 1578 in the third reincarnation of Sonam Gyatso.

Choosing a Dalai Lama is a long process of 2-3 years done by the high lamas and the government of Tibet. Search of Dalai Lama is usually limited to Tibet but the third Dalai Lama was from Mongolia. Dalai Lama is Charismatic figure who are high in discipline. Their role in religious history, literary and philosophy is immense. They are spiritual leader and give much time to religion but their popularity in people is not only because of religion but politics also.

Western view of the Dalai Lama and contribution to his reputation

Dalai Lama is popular in west; they highly regard his teachings and find him highly savvy politically. In the scenario of Chinese oppression they put him in category of leaders like Nelson Mandela because of his moral authority. He has a friendly wisdom and impressing personality with a temperate sense of humor. He is a humble figure and they call him a generous spiritual leader and a political superhero. His teachings nurture body and soul. His message of peace all over the world is simple. People find his personality as a kind and charismatic.

He has well-known contact with the Hollywood supporters Steven Segal and Richard Gere. They admire his efforts of exposing the teachings of Lamas to the west. Also he represents Tibet and Shangri-La as a land of peace and romance.  In his interviews, discussions and other books his teaching is simple and easy to digest for the western people. Many politicians and people who met him in the West say that, the Dalai Lama is a kind of smiling, active public speaker and political superhero because the materialistic west is in sheer need of some spiritual boost and peace and to take some break from their robotic life.

Chinese government’s view of the Dalai Lama and how it contributed to his reputation

Dalai Lama is disliked by the Chinese government and his reputation in China is that of a traitor and criminal in monk’s cloth and sees his hand behind some attacks in Tibet. Government says that he does not want peace but a free Tibet so that he can rule over there. In their view he is an archaic and backward institution that still spreads serfdom. Tibet was not ruled by government before 1950 but the claim of Chinese government is that the Tibet has been part of China for almost 800 years. Some see him as a religious authority and some as a separatist figure. Their argument is that the liberation of Tibet has full support of west. Chinese government mention that no progress is done in Tibet which is usually represented or showed instead they say that it is place of slaves’ backward masses of priests and landlords. He is seen there as bankrupt and evil figure.

China says that Tibetans are progressing under their rule and their literacy rate in increased to 85% and poverty is decreased. They say that he appeared as a rebellion and fled to India when the Chinese government tried to end the salvation and feudal system in Tibet and declared the Tibetan government illegal. Dalai Lama took several steps to lay a foundation of an independent Tibetan government within the PRC. Controversies arise on the situation of Tibet because of the restriction of travelling over there which becomes difficult for the human rights activists and agencies for reporting.

Interplay of religious, personal and political qualities/factors in the construction of the Dalai Lama’s reputation

The long-term fame and reputation of Dalai Lama in Tibet and in west also shows his wisdom of representing Tibetan people as a peaceful nation who faced the brutality of Chinese. Dalai Lama is considered as a living monument of the Tibetan culture and their spirituality. As the Chinese government sought to hide the Tibetan nationalism but Dalai Lama strived hard to show the powerful symbol of independent Tibetan nationalism.

In Tibet the reputation of Dalai Lama can be seen from his status of 14^th Dalai Lama which is the highest designation in Tibet. In his effective public speeches and foreign travels he emphasized the understanding of giving respect to the others faith. He showed up in several interfaith services and also met with the religious heads of other religions. He is not only popular in Tibet but the west also appreciates his graciousness, humbleness, and wisdom in developing the cause of Tibetan independence.

How “flattening complexities” account for the emergence of competing reputations

From the above discussion it can be said that Dalai Lama has several reputations. Going back into the history the first Dalai Lama named, Gedun Drupa and known as a greatest religious scholar. His hard work made him the leading Lama. He was the writer of numerous books and the founder of Tashi Lhunpo. He built many monasteries through the lavish donations which he got through his spiritual endeavors. He was respectable not only in Tibet but in central Asia too. He was the promoter of reincarnated Lamas system. Going further to the thirteenth Dalai Lama he was known by his endeavor of strengthening the military.

The fact says the he was compelled to join politics and to become a strategist. He escaped to India. He appealed the British government help him to stop China to make Tibet a Chinese state but the British remained unbiased. He bought many positive changes in Tibet like building of roads and the power station, paper currency and postal system and faced the resistances.  He was credited with the title of Great Lama. He tried to end the Tibet’s isolation People of different religions have different views about Dalai Lama. Though they are not liked by Chinese government because they end their rule but the people of west love Dalai Lama and their spiritual teachings.