According
to Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is a
manifestation of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of
Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people. When
he dies, his soul is thought to enter the body of a newborn
boy, who, after being identified by traditional tests, becomes
the new Dalai Lama.
The present Dalai Lama, His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama, was born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6,
1935, in Takster, Amdo, North-East Tibet, where he was recognized at
the age of two as the reincarnation of the thirteenth Dalai
Lama.
He was brought to Lhasa, the capital of
Tibet, and enthroned in 1940. Lhamo Dhondrub was, as Dalai
Lama, renamed Tenzin Gyatso - or - Holy Lord, Gentle Glory,
Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom. Ten years later, he assumed full
responsibility as Head of State and Government. After the
suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in 1959, His
Holiness escaped to India where he was granted political
asylum.
His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama is the exiled leader of Tibet, and is now widely recognized
as an advocate of world peace and has received many honors,
including the Nobel peace prize in 1989. The citation read,
"The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai
Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently
has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated
peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in
order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his
people."
His Holiness often says,
"I am just a simple Buddhist monk - no more, nor
less."
His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama is the author of
two memoirs and many books on Buddhism.
As
human beings, we possess one common desire: the need for
happiness and a meaningful life. According to His Holiness
the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies
within each of us. Now, the spiritual and temporal leader of
Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps
readers begin the path to enlightenment in a very special
book -- an easy-access reference for daily practice as well
as stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom of His
Holiness. How to Practice will guide you
toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm,
maintaining mental tranquility, and more. Divided into a
series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers of
all faiths toward enlightenment, this accessible book is a
constant and daily companion in the quest to practice
morality, meditation, and wisdom. The Dalai Lama shows us
how to overcome our everyday obstacles, from feelings of
anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and
counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness'
vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to
Practice offers the Dalai Lama's own sage and very
practical insight into the human psyche and what binds us
all together
A Simple Path brings together
profound accessible teachings by His Holiness of the Four Noble
Truths with extraordinary images that offer insight into the
rich cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness
provides a concrete and lucid explanation of the foundation of
the Buddhist path as it applies to contemporary life in both
Eastern and Western world views. The teachings inspire us to
embrace the way of compassion and peace in our lives and to
find a deeper satisfaction in every day.
Western
culture and healthcare often view ethics, spirituality, and
healing as separate entities. But in Tibetan Buddhism, the
three are inextricably linked: ethical behavior leads to
spiritual growth, and our spiritual strength can heal us from
the emotional and physical wounds we incur in life.
In this book, a nurse
ethicist uses the story of her journey to Tibet as a framework for showing how
we can apply this karmic principle in our daily lives. Her book provides a model
for integrating diverse wisdom traditions into our personal spirituality -
allowing us to find meaning in life, to live ethically, and to
transform life's challenges into healing experiences.
