by Martin Horan
We all have our own life story. We’d all like to feel as we look back on our lives that our story is one that is positive and meaningful. Whatever difficult times we’ve been through, whatever mistakes we’ve made, we’d like to feel that we have learned something – that we’ve done our best to make a positive difference to those around us.
His Holiness’ early life
His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama from one perspective has had a very unusual life. Born as Lhamo Thondup, he was identified at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the Great Thirteenth. His Holiness moved from his birthplace, a small rural village in northeastern Tibet, to take up residence in the ancient and vast Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital.
His Holiness began his rigorous monastic education at the of age six. Venerated by Tibetans as a “god king”, he was compelled by circumstances to take up political leadership of his country while still a teenager and to meet with Mao Tse-tung and other leaders of the People’s Republic of China in an attempt to pacify the growing threats to Tibet’s independence.
Protector of Tibetans and Nobel Peace Prize recipient
In 1959, still in his mid-twenties, he was forced to flee his homeland as a refugee, with more than one hundred thousand of his fellow Tibetans, making an arduous and perilous journey over the Himalayas to seek refuge in India. Over the decades since 1959, his government in exile has protected and promoted the interests of Tibetan people wherever they are.
But no less importantly, since 1959 His Holiness has become renowned throughout our world. His award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 was a major formal recognition of His Holiness’ extraordinary life and personal qualities.
A legacy of kindness, compassion and love
Arguably His Holiness’ more significant legacy is the way his words, teachings, example and personal qualities have touched the lives of so many millions of human beings – whether Buddhist or non-Buddhist, whether religiously inclined or secular, and of every age, gender and nationality.
So we may feel that our own life story bears little resemblance to the extraordinary events of His Holiness’ life. However, His Holiness’ consistent message over the decades has been that as living beings we are all fundamentally the same. We all wish for happiness and never ever want even a moment’s suffering.
For this reason, the most important qualities that we can develop during our lives towards our fellow living beings are those of kindness, compassion and love. His Holiness teaches that this method is also the key to our own personal happiness and peace of mind. The more we can cultivate the qualities of affection, openness, generosity and caring for others, the more our own life story becomes joyful, meaningful and fulfilled.
For those who practise according to the Buddhist tradition, the whole purpose of every aspect of Buddhist practice is ultimately to benefit others. For those who practise other spiritual paths or no spiritual path, still as living beings, for our own happiness it is ideal to look after others and make kindness a stronger force in our lives.
This is the key to happiness in family life, relationships, workplaces and the community generally. His Holiness in recent years has put great emphasis on the benefits of developing a sense of secular ethics – principles and guidelines that speak to all of us and help support our common welfare whatever our religious, political or cultural background.
His Holiness’ connection with the Tibetan Buddhist Society
On this occasion of His Holiness’ ninetieth birthday, the Tibetan Buddhist Society community is moved to recall His Holiness’ extraordinary kindness and example. Our Society’s founder, the Venerable Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden would continuously remind us about this. Geshe-la would regularly consult with, and report to, His Holiness on the Tibetan Buddhist Society’s activities in Australia.
One of the most memorable events in the Tibetan Buddhist Society’s history was His Holiness’ visit to our Melbourne centre in 2002 when he formally opened our newly constructed traditional Tibetan temple. And His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s part in our Society’s story has continued, with his guidance in identifying Venerable Geshe Loden’s reincarnation, Loden Rinpoche, and his blessings and advice to Loden Rinpoche in Dharamsala in February 2024.
Our heartfelt prayer
His Holiness’ life story has been one of inspiration, joy and hope for our world – and shows how we can make our own life stories joyful and meaningful.
May His Holiness remain in our world for many, many years. May he enjoy excellent health and wonderful conditions. May he continue to provide inspiration and hope to us all.
Read more about His Holiness’ extraordinary legacy as an educator. *Image from the website of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.