The Dalai Lama sparked controversies after his public kiss to a young boy. But what is a Dalai Lama exactly? What does it do?
The Dalai Lama is one of the most prominent religious figures still remaining in the world. The office of the Dalai Lama is often associated with that of the Pope, who reigns over the entire Christianity from Vatican City in Rome.
Recently, the current Dalai Lama sparked controversy when he publicly asked a child to “suck his tongue”, a move that was deemed highly inappropriate.
Nevertheless, the episode also sparked curiosity around the office of the Dalai Lama, on his celestial and terrestrial purposes. Indeed, the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the 14th of a long line spanning over 400 years. Unfortunately, Tenzin might even be the last Dalai Lama in history.
What does a Dalai Lama do
The title “Dalai Lama” refers to the spiritual authority of Buddhism, one of the most important and ancient religions in the world.
According to the legend, a Dalai Lama is the physical reincarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the principal attendant of the first Buddha. Avalokiteśvara incarnates all the compassion of the buddhas and was one of the first to achieve Nirvana.
Being his physical reincarnation, every Dalai Lama is set to part this world as every other human. When it happens, the search for a new Dalai Lama begins. Usually new Dalai Lamas are selected at very early ages, educated at the office of the Dalai Lama from 5-10 years old.
Since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, this figure is also the main political authority of Tibet. This desolated and mountainous region is part of modern day China and borders India to the South.
Tenzin Gyatso, the last Dalai Lama
Tibet used to be an autonomous state until Mao Zedong, the first leader of modern China, conquered it in 1950. At the time, the current Dalai Lama was 15 years old and still in the middle of his studies.
Tenzin was forced to escape into exile, being enthroned at the age of 23 in 1959. Since then, he acted as political authority of Tibet even though his country was conquered by a foreign power. For his peaceful ways of handling the conquest of Tibet, the Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Today, Tenzin Gyatso is 87 years old. In 2011, the elder Dalai Lama decided to resign his political authority, remaining only as spiritual leader. He further decided to halt the research for a new Dalai Lama.
Tenzin fears that China could force its way into the new Dalai Lama’s education, formalizing the annexation of Tibet once he is enthroned. To avoid losing his people, Tenzin decided to risk losing the long tradition of Dalai Lamas altogether.
Nevertheless, Tenzin might still change his mind, as he announced a final decision to be made when he turns 90 years old. Tibet, however, is still firmly in the hands of China, and will likely remain so for many decades to come.
