Tenzin Gyatso
14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetans
Tenzin Gyatso: spiritual leadership in exile
Recognition and education
Born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935 in the Tibetan region of Amdo, he was recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama while still a child. He undertook monastic studies in Lhasa, covering Buddhist philosophy as well as logic and other subjects. In 1959 he completed the Geshe Lharampa qualification.
Leadership and exile
He assumed political responsibilities during the crisis of the 1950s and left Tibet for India in 1959. From Dharamsala he became a leading international voice for Tibetans in exile. His office records constitutional reforms and elections within the exile administration; in 2011 he transferred his formal political authority to elected leaders.
An international peace advocate
His proposals for Tibet emphasized nonviolence and dialogue. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the 1989 Peace Prize, bringing wider attention to his approach. His public role has since combined Buddhist teaching with advocacy for Tibetan culture and a negotiated future, rather than direct leadership of the exile government.