Dalai Lama

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. Recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two, he began his monastic education at six and was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree (equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy) at 23. He assumed full political power in 1950 following China's invasion of Tibet. Forced into exile in 1959, he has since resided in Dharamshala, India, leading the Tibetan government-in-exile. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1989) and numerous other awards for his advocacy of peace, non-violence, and inter-religious harmony. He describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk.