I know this may be getting old, but I’ve been doing a lot of reading about happiness lately and the Dalai Lama boils it down pretty simply…
• The purpose of life is happiness
• Happiness is determined more by the state of one’s mind than by one’s external conditions, circumstances or events — at least once one’s basic survival needs are met.
• Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook
• The key to happiness is in our own hands
That all sounds good, but today I thought we might talk about the guy that came up with all that good advice — the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and the former political leader of Tibet. The title “Dalai Lama” means “Ocean of Wisdom” in Mongolian and is given to the highest-ranking lama in Tibetan Buddhism.
The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in Tibet and is the 14th person to hold the title. He was recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama at the age of two, after the previous Dalai Lama passed away. He was formerly enthroned in 1950, at a time when Tibet was being increasingly pressured by the Chinese government. After the Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959, he fled to India, where he established the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala.
His teachings on compassion, inter religious dialogue, and nonviolence have had a profound influence not only on Buddhists but on people of various faiths and backgrounds. He’s spoken with world leaders, scholars, and public figures about the importance of cultivating inner peace and fostering social harmony.
The Dalai Lama is a symbol of peace, compassion, and resilience, as well as an important figure in the global dialogue on human rights, spirituality, and the preservation of Tibetan culture. His efforts to promote a compassionate, ethical approach to modern challenges continue to have a wide-reaching impact.
Sounds like the kind of guy that I might take advice from…..
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