14th Dalai Lama

Spiritual leader of Tibet since 1940

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2025 Li Decheng, deputy director general of the China Tibetology Research Center, declared that Drepung Monastery in Lhasa has the capacity to look for the 15th Dalai Lama, and stated that it would be 'illegal' for the current Dalai Lama to be reincarnated abroad.
March 13 2025 Received Gold Mercury International Award for Peace and Sustainability in Dharamsala
2025 Scheduled publication of 'Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China for My Land and My People'.
April 2023 The aforementioned video resurfaced, leading to widespread condemnation of the Dalai Lama's conduct, which many labeled as 'inappropriate' and 'scandalous.' In response, his office issued a statement offering apologies for any hurt caused and emphasizing that the Dalai Lama often engages in innocent teasing.
February 2023 In a video recorded at his temple in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, the Dalai Lama was seen kissing a young boy on the lips and requesting that the child 'suck my tongue.' This interaction occurred in front of nearly 100 students, including the boy's mother.
2021 It was revealed that members of the Dalai Lama's inner circle were targeted with spyware as part of the Pegasus project, with strong indications that the Indian government was involved.
December 2021 In December, the Dalai Lama reiterated his view that India serves as a role model for religious harmony in the world.
2020 In a statement for Time magazine, the Dalai Lama addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for a response grounded in compassion, empirical science, prayer, and the bravery of healthcare workers. He highlighted the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of compassionate actions during the crisis.
2020 The Dalai Lama reiterated his non-support for Tibetan independence and expressed his hope to visit China as a Nobel Prize winner, advocating for a concept of a 'republic' within the People's Republic of China.
July 6 2020 The 14th Dalai Lama released a studio album titled 'Inner World' under the label Khandro.
2019 Chinese hackers posing as reporters from various organizations targeted the private office of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan representatives.
2019 Emory University's Center for Contemplative Sciences and Compassion-Based Ethics launched the SEE Learning program in New Delhi, India, in partnership with The Dalai Lama Trust and the Vana Foundation, aimed at developing ethical reasoning and compassion in education.
2019 Following the passage of a US law denying visas to Chinese officials restricting foreign access to Tibet, the US Ambassador to China encouraged substantive dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.
2019 The 14th Dalai Lama stated that if a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive.
2019 When addressing attacks on minority communities in India, including a recent incident against a Muslim family in Gurgaon, the Dalai Lama remarked that such actions do not represent the whole nation.
2019 The Dalai Lama fully sponsored the first-ever 'Celebrating Diversity in the Muslim World' conference in New Delhi.
October 2019 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made statements regarding the Dalai Lama's reincarnation.
October 2019 The 14th Dalai Lama expressed that the reincarnation system should end due to its feudal origins.
October 2019 In October, the Dalai Lama commented on India–Pakistan relations, highlighting the differences in speeches made by the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers at the UN and advocating for a realistic approach from Pakistani leaders.
March 4 2019 Awarded the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award
December 2018 The Dalai Lama stated that Muslim countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Syria should learn about religion from India in order to promote peace in the world.
September 2018 At a conference in Malmö, Sweden, the Dalai Lama stated that 'Europe belongs to the Europeans,' while also asserting that Europe has a moral responsibility to help refugees facing life-threatening situations.
April 2018 In April 2018, the Dalai Lama confirmed claims made by the Chinese government regarding Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, stating that he had learned from 'reliable sources' that the Panchen Lama he had recognized was alive and receiving normal education.
2017 Following the death of Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, the Dalai Lama expressed his deep sadness and asserted that Liu's efforts for freedom would eventually bear fruit.
2017 In a speech at Kolkata, the Dalai Lama expressed that Tibetans wanted to remain with China and did not desire independence, acknowledging significant changes in China.
March 5 2017 The Dalai Lama appeared in an episode of HBO's Last Week Tonight, where he was interviewed by John Oliver about Tibetan sovereignty and self-immolations.
2016 Indian citizens and political figures demanded that the Dalai Lama be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
2016 The Dalai Lama spoke to German reporters, expressing his belief that there are 'too many' refugees in Europe and emphasizing that 'Germany is Germany' and cannot become an Arab country.
2016 During a compassion conference in Indiana, the Dalai Lama was seen touching Lady Gaga's leg while appearing to pay little attention to the speaker, leading to controversy when the video resurfaced in 2023.
2016 The Dalai Lama reiterated his position on Dorje Shugden, stating that he encouraged people not to practice it, but clarified that he had not imposed a ban or discrimination against Shugden worshippers. The International Shugden Community disbanded the same year.
2016 The Dalai Lama co-authored 'The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World' with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
2015 Padma Choling, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet, made statements about the reincarnation process.
2015 Despite turning 80 years old, the Dalai Lama maintained a busy international lecture and teaching schedule, offering teachings that were often web streamed.
2015 The International Shugden Community (ISC) came under scrutiny from Reuters, which reported that while there was no independent evidence of direct Chinese financing, Beijing had supported Shugden devotees, making the ISC a tool to discredit the Dalai Lama.
2015 The 14th Dalai Lama claimed he may be reincarnated as a mischievous blonde woman.
2015 In a BBC interview, the Dalai Lama stated that if a female were to succeed him, 'that female must be attractive,' later clarifying that his comments were meant as a joke, although his office issued an apology for the translation error.
May 2015 The Dalai Lama called on Myanmar's Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi to do more to assist the Rohingya Muslims and noted that he had previously urged her to address their plight in two private meetings.
2014 During an appearance at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, the Dalai Lama remarked on women's abilities to be more sensitive to others' suffering and suggested that their leadership could be more effective.
2014 In an interview with Larry King, the Dalai Lama stated that same-sex marriage is a personal issue, can be ethically accepted socially, and he personally accepts it, while cautioning that individuals should not contradict their chosen traditions.
September 7 2014 In an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, the Dalai Lama stated that the institution of the Dalai Lama has served its purpose and suggested finishing with a popular Dalai Lama.
2013 An academic dialogue titled 'High-end dialogue: ancient Buddhism and modern science' was held in Beijing, featuring a Chinese scientist, a Tibetan 'living Buddha', and a professor of Religion, discussing the similarities between Buddhism and modern science.
2013 At the Culture of Compassion event in Derry, Northern Ireland, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of warm-heartedness for the health of individuals, families, and communities.
2013 The Dalai Lama criticized Buddhist monks' attacks on Muslims in Myanmar, stating that Buddha teaches forgiveness, tolerance, and compassion, and that problems should be solved through dialogue rather than violence.
May 2013 In May, the Dalai Lama remarked that killing people in the name of religion is 'unthinkable' and 'very sad'.
2012 The Dalai Lama received the Templeton Prize and donated the prize money to the charity Save the Children.
2012 The Dalai Lama co-authored 'The Wisdom of Compassion: Stories of Remarkable Encounters and Timeless Insights' and published 'Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World'.
2012 He was awarded the Order of the Republic of Tuva for his contributions to fostering high spiritual and cultural tolerance and strengthening interreligious and interethnic harmony.
October 2011 In an interview with Canadian CTV News, the Dalai Lama reiterated his statement about reincarnation and asserted that Chinese laws would not affect his decisions about his next life.
September 2011 The Dalai Lama issued a statement regarding his succession and reincarnation, indicating he would consult high Lamas, the Tibetan public, and others before deciding if the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue.

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