Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is in the news this week because of South Africa’s controversial decision to deny him a visa to attend a peace conference. South African government would prefer that the Dalai Lama visit sometime after 2010 so as to postpone any potential political upheaval until the World Cup, hosted by South Africa in 2010, is over. Basically, China and South Africa have a strong business relationship, and Tibet (the Dalai Lama’s region) and China have a serious distrust of each other. Therein, you have some triangular conflict.
The problems between China and Tibet are detailed are fascinating, but this dinner topic is about understanding who the heck the Dalai Lama is. First of all, that’s not his birth name – it’s more of a title or name bestowed upon “the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.” (Source: tibet.com) Some other facts about the Dalai Lama you should know before getting into a conversation this weekend:
- The birth name of the current Dalai Lama is Lhamo Dhondrub, given a new, 7-word name once he became the Dalai Lama, ending with Tenzin Gyatso, which means ”ocean of wisdom.”1
- The current Dalai Lama is the 14th spiritual leader of Tibet, was born in 1935, and was publicly declared the new Dalai Lama in 1939 (the previous Dalai Lama died in 1933).2
- The Dalai Lama is “chosen” after the previous one dies, sought out as the reincarnation of all preceding Dalai Lamas. Despite this tradition, talk of a democratic election for the next Dalai Lama has been discussed.3
- He has won the Nobel Peace Prize and received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.
There are plenty more interesting things to read about the history of the Dalai Lama and Tibet, but the above should get you through a short conversation over drinks.
Read on:
Dalai Lama ban halts conference (bbc.co.uk)
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