Buddhism:
Core Beliefs:
- Buddhists believe in reincarnation and rebirth. Reincarnation is the belief in many lives as the same entity. Rebirth does not assume the same entity. Throughout this cycle if the being can break free of desire and self want they can achieve Nirvana a state of freedom.
- Sila: Is the belief that all things (everything) is equally created, and the belief in the Golden Rule.
- Samadhi: Is the belief in developing the mind so you are able to achieve Nirvana.
- Parjna: Is the belief that wisdom will emerge if your heart is pure.
- Dukkha: Is belief that there is never no suffering in the world.
- Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering like anger, fear, and jealousy.
- Nirodha: Suffering can always end.
- Magga: To end suffering you have to follow the Eightfold Path.
- The Eightfold Path is a collection of practices in good conduct, mindfulness, and concentration.
- In the lives of Buddhists should have an absence of violence.
- As a Buddhist you should not steal.
- Buddhists should never lie.
- Do not commit adultery.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs.
The 14th Dalai Lama:
As you can see by the title there has been 14 Dalai Lamas. Lhamo Thondup was born on July 6, 1935 in Taktser China northeast of Tibet. He is believed to be the reincarnation of his predecessors and the Avalokitesvara, a deity and the personification of compassion. He is currently head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan government, but for now is exiled in Dharamshala, India. He is 5th born in a family of 16 children, 7 of them died early in life. His parents were very poor so that may be a reason for some of his sibling death. After many years of searchng for a successor for the 13th Dalai Lama. Religious officials located Lhamo Thondup at age two. They proclaimed him a reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. With this change he took the name Tenzin Gyatso. He began education at age six. His tutor Heinrich Harrer and him stay friends till Heinrich died in 2006. In 1950 Tenzin became a political power this change was short lived. In October Tibet was invaded by China. He tried peace talks but there was continued suppression of Tibetan people. Word had spread that the Chinese government was planning an assassination. He then fled to Dharamshala and started an alternate government.
Peace:
In September 1987 the Dalai Lama proposed a peace plan with China. In the plan Tibet would be a place for enlightened people to live in a preserved environment. China would be responsible for foreign policy and defense. The plan was declared invalid because of negative leadership in China. Some people would describe him as charismatic. He won the Noble Peace Prize for his non-violient liberation of Tibet in 1989. In through his hard struggle he has never used violient protest. Over the years he has won many prizes from institutions and universitys. All because of peace.