Essay Sample on The Dalai Lama: Universal Teacher & Successor

Introduction

The Dalai Lama is a belied that was conceptualized in Tibetan Buddhism, and the successor to Dalai Lama, who once their spiritual leader was to be selected after a series of tests (The Pali Canon p. 60). The contemporary Dalai Lama has expressed a desire to shift to an elective system after his death and feels that some of his selection examinations were passed by mere luck. Dalama Lai means "Universal Teacher". They are regarded as the earthly manifestations of Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion). According to "The Tibetan Book of the Dead", a transitional period known as Bardo" exists between the period of an individual's death and the time of the next birth (Sarao p.71). The pre-Buddhist period is based on the belief that an individual's past and future lives are connected (Sarao p.71).

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While explaining the idea of reincarnation, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama deduces that "there are two methods in which someone can take rebirth after death: One is rebirth under the sway of karma, and destructive emotions (Sarao pp.72-73). The other one is rebirth through the power of compassion and prayer (Sarao pp.72-73). It continues to state that the Superior Bodhisattvas, who have achieved the path of seeing, are reawakening due to the power of compassion for sentient beings and based on their prayers to benefit others (Sarao p.73).

On the issue of implementation of the idea of re-creation by the Gelukpa school, it has been suggested that it mainly emanated out of the stiff competition that happened between Gelukpa and the Karmapa schools (Sarao p.72).

The Fourteenth Dalai Lama has regardless if lower bodhisattvas rebirthing only in one individual, a Superior Buddha can manifest in several times simultaneously (Sarao pp.73-75). Moreover, according to him, the superior Buddha can even manifest an emanation prior to death. In support of this argument, it is elucidated that the First Dalai Lama apart from being an appearance of "Avalokitesvara" was also considered as a manifestation of "Manjusri" (Sarao pp.74-75). If the Fourteenth Dalai Lama was able to return to Tibet someday, he would be a spiritual leader as a monk, and make sure that the Tibetans can select their political leaders constitutionally (Sarao pp.74-75).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the essay has provided a broad context of the Dalai Lama on the basis of reincarnation and how the decision of giving up temporal power will help the Tibetan people in the long run. The people of Tibetan will benefit in the following ways as a result of temporal power; it will help in sustaining the "exile administration and make it more progressive and robust" (Sarao pp.74-76). Most importantly it will help to reveal the falsehood, and lies of the Chinese government on the issue of the Dalai Lama's personal rights (Baogang, and Sautman pp. 610-614). Fourteenth Dalai Lama elucidates that "there are two methods in which someone can take rebirth after death: One is rebirth under the sway of karma, and destructive emotions. The other one is rebirth through the power of compassion and prayer" (Sarao pp.72-73).

Works Cited

Baogang, He, and Barry Sautman. "The politics of the Dalai Lama's new initiative for autonomy." Pacific Affairs 78.4 (2005): 601-629. Retrieved from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/paaf/paaf/2005/00000078/00000004/art00005

Sarao, Karam Tej. "The Dalai Lama: Person and the Institution." Dialogue, A Journal of Astha Bharati, New Delhi 16.3 (2015): 71-85. Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/DalaiLama.PersonandInstitution.pdf

The Pali Canon. "Buddhism". 43-64. Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/chap%203%20Buddhism%20.pdf