THE FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET
To Tibetans, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama is their temporal and
spiritual leader. The Chinese government considers him a "splittest",
causing trouble among Tibetans in the Chinese Motherland.
The Dalai Lama considers himself "a simple Buddhist monk."
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent approach
to resolving the Tibet-Chinese conflict. He is recognized
as a global leader for his efforts towards achieving world
peace. His message is of universal responsibility and compassion.
On many levels, The Dalai Lama walks in the footsteps of Mohandas
Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. The Dalai Lama has had
a fascinating personal life, and is well known for his charismatic,
yet humble, presence. He is an excellent role model for teaching
about global leadership, compassion, and a non-violent approach
to conflict resolution.
"True compassion is universal in scope. It is accompanied by a feeling of responsiblity."
—Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet
We rely so much on each other and are so interconnected that
without a sense of universal responsibility, a feeling of
universal brotherhood and sisterhood, and an understanding
that we really are part of one big human family, we cannot
hope to overcome human suffering, let alone bring about peace
and happiness.
—Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet
_______________________________________________
Questions for Disscussion and Assignments
How was the 14th Dalai Lama discovered?
Who is the Dalai Lama and what does he represent to Tibetans? What was the role of the Dalai Lamas in Tibet before 1959?
Why did the Dalai Lama win the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize?
What is the Dalai Lama's position on conflict resolution?
How is the Dalai Lamam viewed and treated by the Chinese government?
Why are images of the Dalai Lama currently banned in Tibet?
What is the Dalai Lama's current position on Tibet? How has it changed over the course of 40 years attempted negotiations with Chinease leadership?
How has the Dalai Lama's approach to resolving the conflict in Tibet, and the issue of Tibet's independence, differed from the approach taken by the Chinease government?
What have The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in exile, and exiled Tibetans done to preserve their cultural heritage and maintain their struggle for Tibet's independence?What have The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in exile, and exiled Tibetans done to preserve their cultural heritage and maintain their struggle for Tibet's independence?
Curricular Ideas
Use the life of the 14th Dalai Lama to examine and discuss leadership skills. Have students study about the early life of the 14th Dalai Lama (through biographies or films like Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet). What leadership skills did the Dalai Lama need to have when he was asked to assume his formal responsibilities as head of state when he was only a teenager? Have students explore and express how they would have dealt with becoming leader of an occupied country in the midst of a national uprising.
Have students explore how the Dalai Lama's training as a Buddhist monk and temporal leader has influenced his non-violent practice of conflict resolution.
Compare and contrast the lives of Mohandas Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Fourteenth Dalai Lama as leaders of human rights movements, practitioners of non-violence conflict resolution, and global models for peacemaking, compassion and social justice.
Grades K-4
The
Dalai Lama: A Biography of the Tibetan Spiritual and Political
Leader
Written
and Illustrated by Demi. A biography of The 14th Dalai Lama
for juvenile readers. Beautifully illustrated and written
in simple language. Cloth. 31 Pages. Henry Holt & Co., 1998.
Our
Journey From Tibet
Written by Laurie Dolphin, Photographs by Nancy Jo Johnson.
Documents the journey of a nine year old girl who, with
a group of children, illegally escapes Tibet over the Himalayas
for a education in the Tibetan exile community of Dharamsala,
India. Based on a true story, with the actual photographs
from this journey. Includes a letter from The Dalai Lama.
One of the few books to age-appropriately introduce students
to issues of human rights, cultural survival, migration,
and the refugee experience for elementary education (Grades
3 and up). A number of ESL educators have found this book
a valuable teaching tool. It was taken out print in 1999,
but is still available through Tibet Education Network at
Global Source. Cloth. 40 Pages. Dalton Children's Books,
1997.
Special
Tibet Issue of Faces
Faces: Peoples Places and Cultures, the well-known children's
magazine, dedicated their October 1999 issue to learning
about Tibet. It features ten articles and stories, three
activities, and other resources covering a broad scope of
Tibetan issues, including The 14th Dalai Lama, Singer Yungchen
Lhamo, Dharamsala, traditional Tibetan celebrations, a Tibetan
Cultural Center in the US. TEN Director, Jon Garfunkel,
was a consulting editor, and contributed an article about
The 11th Panchen Lama. Recommended as a student reader the
study of Tibet for grades 4-9. Paper. 46 pages. Cobblestone
Publishing, 1999.
Grades 5-8
The
14th Dalai Lama: Spiritual Leader of Tibet
By Whitney Stewart. A well-researched biography of The Dalai
Lama, discussing the history of Tibet and the role this global
leader plays in his country's spiritual and political life.
Includes many photographs. Cloth (Lib. Bound). 128 pages.
Lerner Publishing, 1996.
(Our Journey From Tibet and Special Tibet Issue of Faces are good resources for this age group as well)
Grades 9-12
In Exile from the Land of Snows
By John Avedon. Considered a primer on the current Tibetan
situation, recounting the modern history of Tibet from 1933
through the Chinese invasion, the exile of The Dalai Lama
and the evolution of the contemporary Tibetan Diaspora. With
chapters on the Tibetan resistance movement, Tibetan medicine,
and Tibet's Chief Oracle. This updated edition contains a
useful timeline and an in-depth interview with The Dalai Lama.
Recommended as a text for high school students. Paper. 456
Pages. HarperCollins, 1997.
My
Land and My People
By Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. This
initial autobiography of The Dalai Lama written a few years
after his escape into exile in 1959, describing the loss of
his country and the struggle maintain an ancient culture in
an emerging Diaspora. Written during his mid-20's, this book
is an excellent source for teaching young adults about responsibility
and leadership. Recently republished with new introduction
and forward. Paper. 231 Pages. Warner Books, 1998 (1962).
In The Footsteps of Gandhi: Conversations with Spiritual
Social Activists
By Catherine Ingram. Twelve interviews with a variety of inspirational
leaders, including The Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Cesar Chavez,
Joanna Macy, Ram Dass, Joan Baez and Gary Snyder. A great
source of wisdom to help examine issues of social justice
and social responsibility. Paper. 284 Pages. Parallax Press,
1990.
Seven
Years in Tibet
By Heinrich Harrer. The autobiographical story of an Austrian
mountain climber who escapes a British internment camp in
India during WWII to Tibet, and becomes a personal tutor of
the young Dalai Lama. A classic travel tale which offers an
intimate outsider's view of Lhasan society prior to the Chinese
occupation. A good book for an English Lit. or Humanities
class. The 1998 Hollywood film of the same name makes a good
visual companion for discussing the book. See the section
on Heinrich Harrer for additional support material. Paper.
329 Pages. Tarcher, 1998 (1954).
The
Wisdom Teachings of The Dalai Lama
Edited
by Matthew Bunson. Collected wisdom excerpted from teachings,
speeches, and writings of The Dalai Lama, organized into sections
on Buddhism, religion, human rights, non-violence, universal
responsibility, and the occupation of Tibet. Recommended as
a curricular resource. Paper. 257 Pages.
Videography
Compassion
In Exile: The Story of The 14th Dalai Lama
An award winning film, by Mickey Lemle, about the life of
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama and overview of the current situation
in Tibet, including many interviews. Themes: Biography, Human
Rights, Cultural Survival, History, Exile Experience, Compassion
Documentary. 60 minutes. Lemle Pictures. 1992.
Dalai
Lama: Soul of Tibet
A historical and contemporary look at the life of The Fourteenth
Dalai Lama. Produced by CBS News for the A&E biography series.
Themes: Biography, History, Tibet-China Relationship Documentary.
50 minutes. A&E Home Video. 1997.
Inside Tibet
Rare black and white footage of the 1942 trip to Tibet by
United States OSS (former CIA) Officers Brooke Dolan and Ilia
Tolstoy, sent on fact finding mission during WWII by President
Roosevelt. They receive warm Tibetan hospitality and meet
the young Dalai Lama. Themes: Tibet prior to Chinese Occupation,
Traditional Culture and Society of Lhasa Documentary. 39 minutes.
1943.
Kundun
The story of The Fourteenth Dalai Lama from his birth in 1935
to his escape into exile in 1959, during the Chinese occupation
of Tibet. Authentic recreation of life in Tibet starring an
all Tibetan cast. A Martin Scorcese film, written by Melissa
Mathison. Themes: Biography, History, Tibet-China Relationship,
Non-violence, Compassion, Leadership Feature Film. 135 minutes.
Touchtone Pictures. 1998.
(The
Original) Seven Years in Tibet
A 1950's British documentary of Harrer's journey to Tibet
(see above), using original color film of Tibet taken by Harrer
in 1949-50. A mix of dramatic re-creation and actual footage.
Themes: Rare Footage of Tibet prior to the Chinese Occupation
Documentary. 79 minutes. Seven League Production. 1957.
Tibet:
The End of Time
Examination of Tibetan Civilization and Current Tibetan Situation.
Part of Time Life's "Lost Civilizations" Series.
Narrated by Sam Waterson. Themes: Civilization, Traditional
Culture, Buddhism, History, The Dalai Lama, Exile Experience
Documentary. 48 minutes. Time-Life Video. 1995.
Periodicals & Discography
Compassion
Produced by Michael Fitzpatrick. The first recording to combine
east-west chanting, featuring Tibet's world-renowned Drepung
Loseling Monks, the revered Abbey of Gethsemani Monks, and
some of the finest instrumental musicians from around the
world. Inspired by the historic meeting and friendship between
Thomas Merton and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it also features
words by both spiritual leaders. Recorded in The Cathedral
of St. John the Divine. CD. 2000.
Compassion
in Exile: The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama
A film by Mickey Lemle, music composed by Philip Glass. In
this intimate portrait of the Dalai Lama, we also see the
moving story of the brutal treatment endured by the Tibetan
people at the hands of the Communist Chinese. The Dalai Lama
speaks with unprecedented candor about his upbringing and
key moments in his life while his countrymen bear witness
to their personal ordeals.
Ethics
for a New Millenium
Mystic Fire Video. Filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London,
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks of the need for an inner
transformation as a prerequisite to a new and transformed
outer world in the coming milennium. WIth warmth, directness,
and humor, he urges us to link individual happiness to an
ethical vision of the world in which we care about others.
Adopting an approach that blends realism and optimism, he
recommends ways in which each of us can begin to make inner
changes that will affectg these problems.
Suggested Resources for Educators
Ethics
for the New Millenium
By His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama discusses a
Buddhist view of ethics with a universal lens for addressing
global issues in the next century and beyond. This book is
a great pathway to engage a dialogue in any classroom or educational
circle about the human condition and what it takes to cultivate
humanity in a global society, from one who is felt by many
to be one of our greatest models. Its no accident this book
was a NY Times Bestseller for months. Cloth. 237 Pages.
Freedom
in Exile: The Autobiography of The Dalai Lama
By Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama. The later autobiography
of The Dalai Lama documenting his remarkable life from childhood
through the 1980's. Full of engaging personal reflections,
historical accounts, meetings with world leaders, and the
spiritual strength that has kept him focused on his responsibilities
as a religious and political leader campaigning to regain
his homeland. Paper. 271 Pages. HarperCollins, 1990.
Tibet:
My Story
By
Jetsun Pema. The autobiography of The Fourteenth Dalai Lama's
younger sister. She tells of her life in Tibet before the
Chinese occupation and describes the formation of the Tibetan
exile community in Dharamsala, India. During the early years
of the Diaspora in she was given the responsibility of starting
the Tibetan Children's Village and later became the first
woman minister in the Tibetan Government in Exile. An excellent
look at the value of education in the struggle for cultural
survival. Paper. 245 Pages. Element, 1997.
Tibet Related Sections
