TYPE ONE WRITING
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What do you know (or think you know) about
the Dalai Lama? For example: Who is he?
What are his teachings? Why is he important?
 Write
four to five lines
WHAT IS THE DALAI LAMA?
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Spiritual and political
leader of Tibet
Incarnation of
Avalokiteshvara
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Bodhisattva of
Compassion
Lamas: Tibetan
Buddhist monks
WHO IS THE DALAI LAMA?
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His Holiness the 14th
Dalai Lama is Tenzin
Gyatso
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Born Lhamo Dhondup
Farming Family
Began monastic
education at age 6
HOW IS THE DALAI LAMA DISCOVERED?
When the Dalai Lama dies, a search party is
organized to find the next Dalai Lama
 Story Time!
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ESCAPE INTO EXILE
1950: Chinese government gained control of
central and western Tibet
 1959: Dalai Lama escaped to northern India
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 Established
the Government of Tibet in Exile
 Dalai Lama has lived in India and travelled the
world since then
DALAI LAMA’S TEACHINGS
You will be given a quote (or two) said by the
Dalai Lama
 Complete the graphic organizer individually
 With a partner who has the same quote as you,
discuss the Dalai Lama’s teachings and their
connection to the basic teachings of Buddhism
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TICKET OUT THE DOOR
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What is the Dalai Lama’s role and why is he so
important to Tibetan Buddhists?
 Bonus
Question: To what sect of Buddhism does
Tibetan Buddhism belong?
QUOTATION #1
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“I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy.
From the very core of our being, we desire contentment.
In my own limited experience I have found that the more
we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our
own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close,
warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the
mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or
insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to
cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principle
source of success in life. Since we are not solely
material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes
for happiness on external development alone. The key is
to develop inner peace.”
QUOTATION #2
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“In the present circumstances, no one can
afford to assume that someone else will solve
their problems. Every individual has a
responsibility to help guide our global family in
the right direction. Good wishes are not
sufficient; we must become actively engaged.”
QUOTATION #3
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“As human beings we all want to be happy and
free from misery… we have learned that the key
to happiness is inner peace. The greatest
obstacles to inner peace are disturbing
emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and
suspicion, while love and compassion and a
sense of universal responsibility are the
sources of peace and happiness.”
QUOTATION #4
“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to
seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one
believes in religion or not, whether one believes
in this religion or that religion, we all are
seeking something better in life. So, I think, the
very motion of our life is towards happiness…”
 “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.
And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt
them.”
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DALAI LAMA’S TEACHINGS (CONT.)
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How could the teachings of the Dalai Lama help if a student
gets a "D" on a report card?
How could his teachings help if students are teasing another
student because of the way he or she looks, talks, or
dresses?
How could his teachings help a student in a situation in
which everyone else is drinking or smoking?
How could his teachings help students come to terms with
the potential of terrorist attacks in their own country?
How could his teachings help students address the needs of
someone in their community who has lost a job and is
having financial trouble?