The Dalai Lama was born in the small Tibetan village of Takster in Northern Tibet.  At the age of 2 Tenzin was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. Thus from an early age the Dalai Lama spent many years studying Tibetan scriptures and he completed a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy by the age of 25.

The Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom. Lama also means "Guru" or teacher. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be reincarnations of the Bodhisattva of compassion, beings who choose to reincarnate to serve humanity. As the Dalai Lama says himself: "The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes."

Despite being a man of peace the Dalai Lama has had to face the consequences of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. In 1950 the Chinese army entered and occupied Tibet and began to degenerate the Tibetan culture and religion. Despite many attempted negotiations and non-violent protests the Dalai Lama was finally forced into exile in 1959. With many followers the Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala in India. Since 1960 the Dalai Lama has maintained a Tibetan government in exile from this base in Dharamsala. Despite the turbulent and difficult times the Dalai Lama has lived through, he has sought to maintain a spiritual outlook and learn to deal with life's challenges, even his "enemies"

The Dalai Lama has sought to preserve parts of the Tibetan culture through educational and cultural institutions. He has also sought to raise awareness of the plight of Tibet to the wider world.

The Dalai Lama has traveled extensively in the West meeting with many religious and political leaders, and has always maintained that there is a need for a variety of faiths and religions so that it can suit the different temperaments of people. He advises people to think very carefully before changing their religion. He has often said there is an underlying unity between the different world religions.

" All religions are essentially the same in their goal of developing a good human heart so that we may become better human beings."

In 1989 the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel citation read:

"The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people."

The Dalai Lama himself has often described himself as being a simple Tibetan Monk. He rises at 4am for meditation and prayer. The Dalai Lama has also written many books on Buddhism and and on finding ways to inner peace and happiness.

By Richard Tejvan