His Holiness the 14th Dalai
Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader
of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small
hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two
the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time was recognized as
the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai
Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig,
the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas
are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen
to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.
