In Celebration of an Exemplary Life
Tenzin Gyatso - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Today is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 74th birthday. As I read his “Brief Biography,” I think about the extraordinary life he has led. His Holiness’ experiences have certainly been unique – being discovered as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two; beginning his strict, monastic education at age six; his call to action as a political leader at age 14 when his country was invaded; making the decision to flee his country at twenty four and the journey that has ensued, far beyond the ancient Himalayan kingdom in which he was born, to every corner of the world. The chain of events in his early life and the unique conditions he experienced would no doubt deeply affect the life of any human being. However, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is not just any human being. While his circumstances have certainly shaped his life, it is his will, the kind of person he has striven to be, and the choices he has made I honor today.
In my experience, His Holiness is a man who deeply and ultimately values humanity, holding it as his highest principle. I find him an anomaly amongst world leaders. In the most obvious way his commitment to non-violence amidst his nation’s struggle with China sets him apart from his contemporaries. However, herein I believe lies a much subtler distinction: his rare inner strength which manifests as an unwavering commitment to righteousness. To use Eastern terminology, I believe this strength is derived from his being “unattached” to the prevalent trappings of our modern world: material wealth and power. These simply don’t seem to be factors for him. He is not tempted, like so many of us are, to forsake his highest values and principles for the empty promise of security we believe such things will bring us. Perhaps this is why China feels so threatened by him. Leaders of every sort, whether of organizations, companies, corporations, or nations of all sizes, seem to jump through hoops, compromising anything that would threaten staying in China’s favour, believing they need China to be successful or, ultimately, secure. Yet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, leader of a small peaceful nation – whose economic casualties pale in comparison to the humanitarian ones – will not cave on his principles he holds or represents, in spite of the 60 years of genocide his people have endured. Rather, he upholds his commitments to himself and to humanity and I have no doubt he will, as stated on his website, entitled “Three Main Commitments in Life,” continue to uphold these commitments “… till his last breath.”
And so today, I celebrate the life of one of my greatest heroes, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I celebrate all that he has accomplished and endured and all that he is. Most of all, I celebrate what he demonstrates is possible for humanity: that we can overcome our fears and prejudices and we can use our intelligence to craft a noble existence.
Happy Birthday Your Holiness, thank you for your invaluable gift to our world!
