His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso:

     “Just a simple Buddhist monk” is how the Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader and political leader of a nation in exile often introduces himself, when being addressed as His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
     With a calm, yet joyful personality, the Dalai Lama radiates remarkable humility, intelligence, and a delightful smile. His compassion and wisdom impress all in his presence. The XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935 in Takster, Tibet. In March 1959, for political reasons, he fled Tibet to reside in India.

     As a Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama teaches simplicity, a virtue of being a disciple of the Buddha. Many Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of the Buddha Avalokiteshvara. The Dalai Lama embodies virtuosity through his principles of peace, celibacy, honesty, and compassion. A great scholar, and a highly enlightened being, the Dalai Lama travels extensively to teach the Dharma to benefit sentient beings. His teachings, from the Four Noble Truths to the logic texts of Nagarjuna, are profound, yet always filled with humor and light heartedness.

     As a political leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama represents the essence of his teachings on compassion, patience and endurance by steadfastly emphasizing the principle of non-violence.

     His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an inspiration to Buddhists and non- Buddhists alike. The Dalai Lama is a role model not just to his disciples and practitioners, but also to many who aspire to become better human beings.