Believed to be a reincarnation of The Buddha, Tenzin Gyatso (born 1935), the Dalai Lama ("Ocean of Wisdom"), is the spiritual and political leader of Tibet’s six million Lamaistic Buddhists. About one-quarter of Tibetan men are monks, and the country is home to more than 2,500 monasteries.

In 1950, the Chinese invasion of independent Tibet forced the Dalai Lama into permanent exile in India. “Suffering is the first step to liberation,” he wrote of his journey.

Despite hardship, this revered holy man continues to teach compassion, love, and kindness. “When we face problems with compassion, sincerity, and good motivation, our solutions may take longer, but ultimately they are better.”

In recognition of his commitment to the nonviolent liberation of his homeland, he received the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, honoring the oppressed everywhere.

With faith in the sacredness of life, the Dalai Lama continues to believe that the Tibetan people will one day regain their country—and lead the world in the practice of peace. He's a living symbol of peaceful resistance and the power of the human spirit.

More Dalai Lama Quotations