The Life and Accomplishments of the Dalai Lama

A painting by Kanwal Krishna dated probably in 1930s of young Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935), the traditional religious and temporal head of Tibet's Buddhist clergy. In March 1959, there was an unsuccessful armed uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule. As a result, the Dalai Lama, fled with some 100,000 supporters to northern India, where a government-in-exile was established. The Chinese ended the the former dominance of the lamas (Buddhist monks) and destroyed many monasteries. Tibet (Xizang), occupied in 1950 by Chinese Communist forces, became an "Autonomous Region" of China in September 1965, but the majority of Tibetans have continued to regard the Dalai Lama as their "god-king" and to resent the Chinese presence, leading to intermittent unrest.

Picture taken from the 60s of Indian prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (R) and Dalaï Lama in Buddhist salutation. Indian statesman and prime minister (1947-64) Nehru joined the Indian Congress Committee in 1918, he was influenced by Gandhi and was imprisoned several times by the British. In 1947 he became India's first prime minister and minister of external affairs. N/B B/W

In 1970, the Dalai Lama opens the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India, as one of his many accomplishments designed to preserve Tibetan culture.

The Dalai Lama receives the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize from Egil Aarvik, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Dec. 10, 1989. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama hugs a child during a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, to attend the World Parliament of Religions, Dec. 8, 1999. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama ponders a question during a press conference in Los Angeles, June 27, 2000. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama waves to the crowd at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C., July 2, 2000. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama shakes hands with Taiwan’s Vice President Annette Lu in Taipei, Taiwan, April 1, 2001. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama lights a ceremonial fire before participating in a prayer service and meeting with Roman Catholic bishops in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 28, 2004. Photo by AFP

U.S. President George W. Bush presents the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., Oct. 17, 2007. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama discusses religion with fellow Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Center for Peace and Education in Vancouver, Canada, Sept. 2009. Photo http://creativecommons.org

The Dalai Lama gives Buddhist teachings in Ladakh, India, July 8, 2014.

The Dalai Lama speaks to Buddhists in Aldershot in the U.K., June 29, 2015. Photo by AFP

The Dalai Lama receives an offering during a long life prayer ceremony in Dharamsala, India, June 21, 2015. Photo by AFP