What is the Living Buddha's Epic Journey to Preserve Tibet's Identity?

Dharamsala, June 30 (NationPress) Sixty-six years ago, the 14th Dalai Lama, disguised as a soldier, departed from Norbulingka Palace in Tibet, a region known as the Third Pole, and embarked on a perilous journey into exile in India that lasted 14 days.

Since that time, he has been the longest-serving esteemed guest of the Indian government, often expressing that he is relishing every conceivable freedom while actively promoting human values, religious harmony, and preserving the Tibetan language and culture—a rich heritage passed down from the masters of India's Nalanda University.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled into exile on March 17, 1959, accompanied by soldiers and Cabinet Ministers, following China's suppression of a Tibetan uprising.

He will celebrate his 90th birthday on July 6.

The Dalai Lama, a globally recognized figure embodying compassion, shares his reflections in his latest publication, 'In Voice for the Voiceless', which details his extensive interactions with China over the decades.

In this book, the Dalai Lama—a reincarnation of his predecessors—calls attention to Tibet's ongoing struggle for freedom and the hardships faced by his people in their homeland.

The narrative unveils his remarkable life journey, illustrating what it signifies to lose one's home to an oppressive force and reconstruct a life in exile; confronting the existential crisis of a nation, its populace, culture, and religion; and envisioning a future.

At 16 years old, he witnessed the Communist invasion of Tibet in 1950, met Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing at 19, and at 25, he was compelled to flee to India, emerging as a leader in exile.

Upon reaching India after his treacherous odyssey, the Dalai Lama resided in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, for about a year.

On March 10, 1960, prior to relocating to Dharamsala—nestled in the upper reaches of north India's Kangra Valley—the Dalai Lama declared: "For those of us in exile, I asserted that our priority must be resettlement and preserving our cultural traditions. We, Tibetans, will ultimately succeed in regaining our freedom for Tibet."

Currently, India hosts approximately 100,000 Tibetans and the government-in-exile.

The Commandant of the Assam Rifles honored the 14th Dalai Lama with a guard of honor upon his arrival in Tawang in 1959.

In an emotional reunion, he embraced Havildar (retired) Naren Chandra Das of the Assam Rifles in April 2017, the sole surviving member of the Indian personnel who welcomed him 58 years earlier.

Sadly, Havildar Das passed away at 83 in December 2021.

After settling in India, the 14th Dalai Lama held his first press conference on June 20, 1959, in Mussoorie.

Beijing regards the Dalai Lama as a perilous "splittist," while he views the Nobel laureate as a dangerous separatist.

In a groundbreaking move, the Dalai Lama formally stepped back from his role as head of the Tibetan government-in-exile in May 2011, concluding the 369-year-old tradition of dual spiritual and temporal authority.

Now, most administrative and political powers lie with the democratically elected Prime Minister—first with Lobsang Sangay for two consecutive terms and currently with Penpa Tsering.

"I have now voluntarily concluded this, proud and content that we can adopt a democratic governance system similar to that flourishing elsewhere in the world," the Dalai Lama remarked.

The pressing question now is—Will the Tibetan spiritual leader create a new historical precedent by altering the more than 600-year-old tradition of following the Dalai Lama lineage?

His followers speculate that the Dalai Lama is contemplating alternative paths.

One possibility is to simply abolish the system; another might involve him leaving written instructions regarding the reincarnation process if abolishment is not favored.

His followers firmly believe that before he passes, his reincarnation could be identified, likely in India, the cradle of Buddhism.

All these possibilities will be thoroughly discussed at the upcoming three-day 15th Tibetan Religious Conference starting July 2 in Dharamsala, where Buddhist leaders, including heads and representatives from all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism—Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma, and Sakya—will convene.

The Dalai Lama plans to address the conference virtually on July 2.

"My reincarnation is for me to determine; no one holds the right to decide that," the Dalai Lama, revered as a living god by millions, has often stated.

Having lived in exile in India for over six decades, the Dalai Lama's yearning to see his homeland remains vivid.

"Yes, I remain hopeful that I will return to Tibet. China is undergoing transformations," he shared on his website (dalailama.com).

He identifies as a son of India.

"All particles in my mind are infused with thoughts from Nalanda. It is Indian 'dal' and 'chapati' that have formed this body. Mentally and physically, I am a son of India," he frequently quotes.

"India and Tibet share a relationship of 'guru' (teacher) and 'chela' (disciple). When I observe corruption within my 'guru', as a 'chela', I feel ashamed."

Repeatedly, calls have arisen from Indian Parliamentarians and his supporters advocating for the conferment of India's highest civilian award—the Bharat Ratna—upon him in acknowledgment of his humanitarian efforts.

The 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935, in a remote village in the Amdo region of Tibet.

(Vishal Gulati can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in)