The 14th Dalai Lama’s life has inspired millions across the globe, even as he humbly considers himself a “simple Buddhist monk.” Born in 1935 as Lhamo Thondup in a small northeastern Tibetan village, he was recognized at age 2 as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama. Renamed Tenzin Gyatso, he assumed political and spiritual leadership of Tibet at just 15 years old in order to navigate the threat of Chinese control. In 1959, after a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he continued to advocate for Tibet while in exile.

The Dalai Lama earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his steadfast nonviolent beliefs. His teachings also emphasize compassion, selflessness, and the pursuit of inner peace, and in his books The Art of Happiness, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, and The Universe in a Single Atom, the Dalai Lama has covered topics ranging from mindfulness and happiness to ethics and even science. Although he resigned from his political role as head of Tibet in 2011, he continues to serve as a spiritual leader, traveling the world and inspiring millions with his humility, humor, and wisdom. 

While his work has garnered near-universal respect, he has faced criticism on occasion for public comments and actions — once in 2019 for remarks about a future female Dalai Lama’s appearance and again in 2023 for an interaction with a young boy (he later apologized for both). Still, despite living in exile for most of his life, the Dalai Lama has managed to create a legacy that transcends borders. His mindful work has preserved Tibetan culture and inspired discourse on peace and compassion, serving as a beacon of hope in an often divided world.