Blog: Dalai Lama and Their Relationship With India
Who are Dalai Lamas?
The Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism’s top spiritual figure is known by the title of “Dalai Lama.”
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th and current Dalai Lama, lives in exile as a refugee in India.
People who are thought to be incarnations of Avalokitevara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, are given the title of Dalai Lama.
Since the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, the Dalai Lama has stood for Tibet’s rapprochement with the rest of the world.
The Dalai Lama has served as a spokesperson for the Tibetan state and its citizens despite not having a recognized institutional position.
The Dalai Lama’s traditional role is to promote harmony by bringing together diverse regional and religious groupings.
As a result of his efforts to heal differences among the exiled Tibetan community, the Dalai Lama has come to represent the Tibetan country to Tibetans living both in Tibet and exile.
The Dalai Lamas or their representatives presided over the Tibetan government in Lhasa from 1642 to 1705 and from 1750 until the 1950s.
Up until China’s People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet in 1951, the Dalai Lamas were in charge of the Tibetan government.
What is the historical background of Dalai Lamas?
Before his passing in 1419, Tsongkhapa, a notable person, founded three significant monasteries in Ü, Tibet.
The first Dalai Lama established a sizable power base when he was appointed abbot of Drepung, the biggest monastery in Ü.
The Tashi Lhunpo monastery was built in Shigatse as a result of the first Dalai Lama’s influence reaching out to Tsang.
Before returning to Lhasa and taking over as abbot of Drepung, the second Dalai Lama pursued his education at Tashi Lhunpo.
The Chokorgyel monastery was founded in southern Tibet by the second Dalai Lama, who also revived the popularity of his predecessor in Tsang and Ü.
Through visions at Lhamo Lhatso, the oracle lake, the second Dalai Lama also developed the technique for identifying upcoming Dalai Lama incarnations.
The lineage’s power was further increased when the third Dalai Lama was appointed as the abbot of Drepung and Sera, two significant monasteries.
Altan Khan, the Mongol king, heard of the third Dalai Lama and sent an invitation for him to visit.
The third Dalai Lama expanded his influence throughout most of Mongolia by converting Altan Khan and his adherents to Buddhism.
After his return to Tibet, the third Dalai Lama established the monasteries of Lithang in Kham and Kumbum in Amdo.
As the great-grandson of Altan Khan, the fourth Dalai Lama was born in Mongolia, fortifying linkages between Central Asia, the Dalai Lamas, the Gelugpa school, and Tibet.
By 1642, the Dalai Lamas had established their religious and political dominance over the majority of Tibet thanks to the fifth Dalai Lama’s utilization of the public support base that his forebears had created.
The fifth Dalai Lama’s plan carried out with the aid of his manager and disciple, gave the Dalai Lamas more than 300 years of control over Tibet.
The Dalai Lamas rose to prominence as spiritual authorities in Tibet and exerted influence over 25 neighbouring Himalayan and Central Asian nations.
Over 50 million individuals in these countries have benefited greatly from the prolific literary works of the Dalai Lamas as sources of spiritual and philosophical inspiration.
Gendun Drup, a student of Tsongkhapa, who was unofficially acknowledged as the First Dalai Lama following his death in 1474, marked the beginning of the Dalai Lama lineage.
The Gelugpa school to which Gendun Drup belonged did not initially adopt the tulku system, which recognizes reincarnate lamas.
Gendun Gyatso was formally installed as the tulku at Tashilhunpo after the monastic authorities finally acknowledged him as the manifestation of Gendun Drup.
The third incarnation, Sonam Gyatso, who was acknowledged and enthroned at Drepung in 1546, solidified the lineage of Dalai Lama Tulkus.
The third incarnation, Sonam Gyatso, who was acknowledged and enthroned at Drepung in 1546, solidified the lineage of Dalai Lama Tulkus.
The Tümed Altan Khan bestowed the title “Dalai Lama” upon Gendun Gyatso in 1578, and the same title was also bestowed upon his two predecessors after their deaths.
What is the procedure to select the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama is thought to have the ability to pick the body into which he is reborn, according to Tibetan Buddhist teachings.
The task of finding the new Dalai Lama once the current one passes away falls on the High Lamas of the Gelugpa tradition—the school to which the Dalai Lama belongs—and the Tibetan government.
The High Lamas frequently start the search by consulting spiritual practices, meditation, and divination methods to get advice on the potential whereabouts and identity of the reincarnated Dalai Lama.
While the majority of the search is done in Tibet, it may also cover other places where Tibetan Buddhism is practised.
To identify possible candidates, the High Lamas work with officials and monks to conduct an inquiry and identification procedure.
Once numerous contenders have been discovered, a public ceremony is held to select the actual successor by drawing lots or by other means.
The chosen child is then brought to Lhasa (or more recently, Dharamsala, India, where the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered) with his family to receive instruction in Buddhist scriptures, philosophy, and spiritual practices.
This stage of preparation can last for several years as the identified child receives a demanding education and training while being supervised by knowledgeable teachers.
The goal is for the child to grow into a person who can take on the Dalai Lama’s responsibilities and spiritual leadership.
The selection procedure for the next Dalai Lama is based on Tibetan Buddhist customs, which acknowledge the spiritual stature and lineage of the Dalai Lamas throughout history.
What are the challenges faced by this traditional method of choosing?
The Chinese government interfered in the recognition of the 11th Panchen Lama by rejecting the Dalai Lama’s choice and installing their candidate in their ongoing effort to gain control over Tibetan Buddhism and its leadership.
The present Dalai Lama has responded by expressing worry over Chinese meddling and saying that he might not be reborn or might be reborn somewhere other than Chinese-controlled territory.
This declaration is interpreted as an effort to safeguard the spiritual authority of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition against Chinese government interference.
Discussions and arguments on the future of the Dalai Lama institution have been triggered by the Dalai Lama’s remarks about his rebirth within the Tibetan Buddhist community.
What is the background between Dalai Lama and China?
Seventeen-Point Agreement :
The Seventeen Point Agreement was signed by officials of the Tibetan Government and the People’s Republic of China in 1951 on behalf of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The agreement recognised China’s control over Tibet while providing Tibet with some autonomy in exchange for the protection of Tibetan culture and religious freedom.
Rejection of the Agreement:
The Dalai Lama later declared that he had signed the Seventeen Point Agreement under duress and without the backing of the Tibetan people.
The relationship between the Tibetan Government and the Chinese authorities was strained by the Dalai Lama’s rejection of the accord.
Worldwide Recognition Efforts:
To assert Tibet’s independence or win substantial autonomy, the Tibetan government worked to gain worldwide support for its cause.
However, the majority of countries now recognise Tibet as a part of China, making these efforts mostly ineffective.
Modernization and Military Conflict:
To bolster its position, the Tibetan Government began modernization initiatives, including the modernization of its military.
When Chinese forces pushed into Tibet in October 1950, a military confrontation erupted in the western Kham region’s Chamdo region.
The Tibetan army was defeated in the battle, and Chinese forces took control of the area.
Peaceful Liberation vs Chinese Invasion :
The Chinese government referred to their efforts in Tibet as the “Peaceful Liberation of Tibet,” highlighting the historical ties between Tibet and China and presenting their actions as a method of reintegrating Tibet into China.
The Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan diaspora, on the other hand, frequently refer to the incidents as the “Chinese invasion of Tibet,” considering China’s activities to constitute an occupation and a suppression of Tibetan freedom.
Tibetan Rebellion and Exile:
In 1959, Tibetans protested the deterioration of their cultural and religious liberties by launching a broad rebellion against Chinese control in Tibet.
Military repression was used as a response by the Chinese government.
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile was founded in Dharamshala after the Dalai Lama and many other Tibetans fled into exile in India.
The Chinese authorities disbanded the Tibetan authorities after the uprising and made measures that had a profound effect on Tibetan social structures and culture.
Who was the 14th Dalai Lama?
Identity and Recognizability:
The 14th Dalai Lama’s spiritual name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, and his birth name is Lhamo Thondup.
He is regarded as a living Bodhisattva and is thought to be Avalokitevara (Chenrezig in Tibetan) in a new body.
He practises Tibetan Buddhism and is a member of the Gelug school, which is the newest school.
In 1937, it was determined that the Dalai Lama was the tulku (reincarnate) of the 13th Dalai Lama, and in 1939, he was publicly recognised as the 14th Dalai Lama.
Early Life and Enthronement :
His early years were spent in a farming family in Taktser (Hongya Village), in the Amdo region of Tibet (now in the province of Qinghai, China).
His appointment as the Dalai Lama did not follow the customary Golden Urn selection procedure.
He was a little boy when his enthronement ritual took place in Lhasa on February 22, 1940.
Chinese Occupation and Temporal (Political) Duties:
In 1950, at the age of 15, the Dalai Lama took full temporal responsibility after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet.
The Ü-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo territories were under the control of the Tibetan administration, also known as the Ganden Phodrang.
However, the Dalai Lama escaped to India and created the Tibetan government in exile as a result of the 1959 uprising in Tibet against Chinese control.
Exile and Exile Government:
The Dalai Lama founded the autonomous Tibetan government in exile in Mussoorie after arriving in India in 1959. Later, it was moved to Dharamshala, where he now lives.
In 2011, he stepped down from his position as the political leader and assisted with the establishment of the Central Tibetan Administration, a democratic administration.
Teachings and Advocacy:
The Dalai Lama has championed the Middle Way Approach, which aims for a peaceful conclusion with China, and has argued for the well-being of Tibetans.
He instructs Tibetan Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism all over the world, drawing sizable crowds. His initiations and Kalachakra teachings are important occasions.
The Dalai Lama participates in numerous conferences and gatherings where he speaks on a variety of subjects, including religion and science, environmental concerns, economics, women’s rights, nonviolence, interfaith dialogue, physics, astronomy, and more.
Awards and Recognitions:
In 1989, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaign to liberate Tibet from Chinese tyranny.
He was awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2006 for his services to human rights, nonviolence, and world peace.
He has been named by Time magazine as one of Mahatma Gandhi’s “Children of Gandhi” and as Gandhi’s spiritual heir to nonviolence.
How did it impact India and how can we go forward from here?
India and China have had a lot of disagreements over the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
The Dalai Lama is regarded by China as a separatist who wields considerable power over Tibetans.
The Tibetan issue is seen by India as a chance to confront Chinese aggressiveness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
India has changed its Tibet policy to openly interact with the Dalai Lama in public venues in reaction to rising tensions with China.
But this policy change mainly concentrates on symbolic elements and might not adequately address the fundamental problems in Tibet.
The lack of a legal foundation for India’s current policy toward Tibetans in India hinders its ability to satisfy Tibetans’ goals and demands, such as their quest for freedom in Tibet.
In its interactions with China, India must take a stronger stance on the Tibet problem.
India should think about creating a comprehensive law or policy that addresses the needs of Tibetans living there and offers legal protection.
A situation where a young and restless Tibetan populace in India seeks elsewhere for leadership and a command structure following the death of the Dalai Lama should also be avoided by India.
To do this, India must aggressively foster Tibetan leadership within its boundaries and make sure that the Tibetan populace continues to be interested in and linked to India’s goals.
