Notes on the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism


1. Native Bön Religion and Tibetan Buddhism

2. Songtsem Ganpo (618-649): King, Unifier, Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan Language 

Wives: Wencheng vs Bhrikuti

3. Legend of Hanshan Mahayana


       Themes of passion and transformation

Hinayana Buddhism (Nikaya):  detachment from passion nirvana, tranquility

Mahayana Buddhism: non-attachment, oneness, and compassion

Vajrayana Buddhism (Tantra): harnessing the power of passion —> compassion


H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso


Dalai <= Mongolian for "vast sea, ocean"

Lama <= Tibetan for "guru"

Dalai Lama, title given by Altan Khan in 1578 to Sonam Gyatso, who was declared the second Dalai Lama, with the title of first Dalai Lama retroactively applied to two predecessors of Sonam Gyatso, Gendun Drup and Gendun Gyatso, thus establishing a lineage of Dalai Lamas.


The Dalai Lama is said to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrizig), the bodhisattva of Compassion


The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Kelugpa, or Yellow Hat Sect

Practice of finding the Dalai Lama



The Present Dalai Lama embraces 3 Principles:

1. Universal secular values, compassion and tolerance

2. Interreligious dialogue and understanding

3. Tibetan self-determination


Buddhist teachings the Dalai Lama emphasizes:

emptiness

bodhicitta -"mind of awakening' - mind of aspiration for awakening

compassion and bodhisattva ideal