Entering the monastic stream at the age of six, His Holiness was called upon to assume full political leadership when the Chinese invaded in 1949. The turbulent years which followed are explained in detail in the autobiography by His Holiness: Freedom in Exile (Cardinal Books, London,1991). 

The systematic suppression of the Tibetan people exploded into a National Uprising which took place on March 10, 1959. The brutal repercussions meted out by the People’s Liberation Army resulted in the deaths of 87,000 in central Tibet alone. At the insistence of his people, The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India. He was followed by 100,000 Tibetans. 

Though he has not returned to his homeland, he remains in the hearts of his people as the very symbol of their nationhood and of their spiritual aspirations. To the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama is a living Buddha, the embodiment of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. 

The essence of compassion is selfless love - to care more for the sufferings of others than for one’s own problems; to recognise that all creatures equally desire happiness and that no pleasure arises in this life without depending on the kindness of others. 

This has been the Dalai Lama’s teaching to the western world and the core of his policy that the Tibetan situation can only be resolved through non-violent means. Even in the face of aggression, the Dalai Lama maintains that peaceful liberation is the best possible path. 

In 1989 His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became the first Laureate to be simultaneously recognised for his concerns for the global environment. 

"For the past 16 years I have tried my best to find some kind of mutually agreeable solution with the Chinese government. But so far I have failed, there has been no response from the side of the Chinese government. I am ready to negotiate with the Chinese government without any pre-condition at any time and any place" 

(Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, 1996) 
 

"Ultimately, humanity is one and this small planet is our only home. If we are to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to experience a vivid sense of universal altruism. It is only this feeling that can remove the self-centred motives that cause people to deceive and misuse one another. If you have a sincere and open heart, you naturally feel self-worth and confidence, and there is no need to be fearful of others. 

I believe that at every level of our society - familial, tribal, national and international - the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities." 

(Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama 1991) Reprinted from "Compassion and the Individual" with permission of Wisdom Publications, 361 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, USA