Who is the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai Lama is working with the Tibetian parliament-in-exile to plan an orderly transition after he steps down as a political leader, a decision he announced earlier this month. The 76 year old Dalai Lama will retain his role as the spiritual leader of the Tibetian people.

The parliament-in-exile is meeting in India, where it will establish a timetable for the transition. It will also decide on duties to be carried out by the new prime minister and an expansion of the prime minister's role.

Who is the Dalai Lama? How did he come to be in exile?

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet. Tibetians consider the current 14^th Dalai Lama to be the reincarnation of his predecessor. Born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935, the Dalai Lama is now known as Tenzin Gyatso. He was recognized as Tibet's spiritual leader in training at age 2 and was sent to study at a Buddhist monastery at age 6.

When China invaded Tibet in 1950, the Dalai Lama was called upon to take on the political leadership of his country. Talks with the Chinese failed and in 1959, the Dalai Lama escaped to Dharamsala, India, forming a government-in-exile.

Does he have his own website?

Yes, the Dalai Lama has a website.

Who does the Dalai Lama govern?

There are some 85,000 Tibetians-in-exile who with the Dalai Lama work toward a free Tibet. In 1990, the Tibetians adopted a one-man, one-vote principle to elect an assembly which in turn chooses the cabinet.

What does the Dalai Lama envision for Tibet?

The Dalai Lama has proposed a 5-point peace plan which would transform the country into a peace zone "where all sentient beings can exist in harmony and the delicate environment can be preserved."

Among other provisions, the plan calls for the abandonment of Chinese use of Tibet as a nuclear dumping ground. Curtailment of China's population transfer policy is also part of the plan.

Under the Dalai Lama's plan, Tibet would be entitled to democratic freedoms and would negotiate with China on its political status.

What recognition has the Dalai Lama received?

The Dalai Lama received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. He has received 84 other awards and has written 72 books.