The Tibetan word for Buddhism nynpa translates to looking inward. Many people in modern society searching for the meaning of life and existence search far too much around their surroundings, only to find that the answer can’t be found externally.
A wise man once said that the answer to every question in the universe lies inside you. The Tibetans knew this for many centuries and it is only until recently that they have shared this secret with the rest of the world.
The essence of Buddhism, lies within the understanding that all life forms matters and are as important as each other, because everything is interconnected and related.
As humans, we are blessed with the intelligence to realize this and to eradicate bad karma due to our lifetimes of bad doing and harm. We are in the best positions of all life forms to reach enlightenment; Which can be explained briefly as the great realization that we are all apart of each other. Thus, your greatness and your weaknesses affect and interact with everything in the universe.
It has only been in recent years that the western world had the opportunity to listen to the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. This is largely due to the fact that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama had worked hard to appeal to the western world for the help of saving his people of Tibet. This page is a tribute to many great monks, translators and writers who brought Tibet’s text to the western world. More importantly my hearts extends endlessly to those who had faced great adversary and lost many loved ones in this lifetime, resisting the conforming power with tolerance and ahimsa (non-violence),
The Tibetans plight to freedom and self-determination influenced many emotionally, not only because they are victims of indigenous abuse, but because they are true pioneers of peace. After years of ill treatment to the country and the people of Tibet, messages of non-violence travel as long as the suffering endured by their people.
In 1949, the Chinese Government headed by Chairman Mao Tze-Dong, invaded Tibet, defeating Tibet’s small and poorly armed army. The Tibetan Government was coerced to signing the 17th point Agreement, which was drafted by Chinese officials. The document wrongly states that Tibet not only agreed, but also invited the Chinese Communist Troops to liberate Tibet from Imperialism. Since then, Tibet’s self-governing right was taken away from the small and peaceful country, along with their customs and practicing rights of their religion.
Monastery’s, temples and places of worships were destroyed in many villages and towns. Tibetans were not only discouraged to practice their religion, but were told to condemn it; As the seeds of "poison" in materialist ideology. Many people were killed as part of the Chinese official’s terror campaigns to discourage the practice of religion.
Since 1979, some religious freedom was allowed, which includes the renovation of selective places of worship and allowing people to practice certain rituals; However the teachings of Buddha is still discouraged and strictly controlled.
Indigenous Tibetans now face competition from large influx of Chinese settlers into their country. As a result of the increased number of population, indigenous Tibetan’s are being marginalised and are fast becoming second class citizens of their own home.
Despite the wrongdoing of the Chinese Government, Tibetan’s leaders still hold hope for the peaceful return of their home. The great leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama is the most important figure of the country’s cultural, political and religious beliefs. Although traditionally, the Dalai Lama is the head of state, he is regarded more as the spiritual leader then one of politics. Since Tibet’s systems of beliefs revolve around their religion, the Dalai Lama plays more of the role as king and teacher.
The Dalai Lama, is believed by Tibetans to be the human manifestation of the Buddha of compassion who has chosen to return to the human realm to aid in the enlightenment of all beings, until all suffering is over. A 9th century Buddhist Saint known as Shantideva, exemplifies the role of the Buddha as teacher and god.
" For as long as space endures and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world."
His holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatsu was found to be the incarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama when he was just 2 years old. Since then, the Dalai Lama had not only been worshiped, but loved dearly and physically protected from the Chinese by the bodies of thousand of devotees. Due to the sacrifice of such beloved people, the Dalai Lama miraculously escaped harm, hours before his home were shelled by Chinese artillery. Although reluctant to leave his home and his people, the Dalai Lama escaped Tibet because of fears that his people would result in violence if the Chinese took him as a prisoner.
Since the Dalai Lama’s arrival in Dharamsala, India on 1959, he organized the Tibetan Government in Exile. Since then he had worked relentlessly to have Tibet gain independence and self-governing power, without resorting to the use of violence. The Tibetan Government in Exile is working towards the drafting of the future framework of Tibet, whilst asking the global community for the peaceful help to free Tibet.
The Tibetan’s story is a sad yet an inspiring one, teaching great lessons of compassion, futility and tolerance. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama has undergone much suffering yet he remains strong, dignified and respected throughout the global community. Until today, his efforts for the peaceful freedom of Tibet is a lesson of faith and love for humankind, teaching us what real unconditional love is all about.
"The antidote to hatred in the heart, the source of violence, is tolerance.
Tolerance is an important virtue of bodhisattvas (enlightened heroes and
heroines) – it enables you to refrain from reacting angrily to the harm
inflicted on you by othersl You could call this practice "inner disarmament",
in that a well-developed tolerance makes you free from the compulsion
to counterattack. For the same reason, we also call tolerance the "best
armor", since it protects you from being conquered by hatred itself."
– Dalai Lama