The Dalai Lama

 The dalai lama is the highest monk in Tibetan Buddhism, usually the dalai lama is responsible for the government of Tibet, but in recent times the Chinese took over Tibet so the dalai lama is no longer in charge. The dalai lama is part of the Gelugpa tradition which s the most influential tradition in Tibet. There have only been 14 dalai lamas in the history of Buddhism. The current dalai lama’s name is Tenzin Gyatso. Once the death oh the dalai lama has occurred it is the responsibility of the high lama’s to find the new dalai lama. This can happen in several different ways.

-      Dream

o   A high lama can have a dream about an identifying marker on or around the new dalai lama

-      Smoke

o   If the last dalai lama has been cremated the high lamas will watch were the smoke goes and search after that.

-      Oracle lake

o   The high lamas will go to a lake in Tibet, Lhamo Lhatso, they will look for a sign from the lake.

Once the child or possible reincarnation has been found the high lamas present several items a few of which belonged to the previous dalai lama if the child chooses the right items that child is the new dalai lama.

The Dalai lama is a symbol for Buddhism and is very important to all of its followers. He is a symbol for what they strive for, enlightenment.