Critically compare how figures such as the Dalai Lama are viewed by
Buddhists and Non-Buddhists
the DL is the 14th spiritual leader and is believed to be a manifestation of Avolotika,
the bodhisattva of compassion. these are beings who are inspired by a wish to attain
Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Buddhists and non-Buddhists would view differently.
concl: overall, argue that the buddha can be seen in positive light by Buddhists and
Buddhists due to his outlook on life BUT thoughts can be controversial in western
society in 2022.
BUDDHISTS: Dalai Lama is seen as popular due to his easily understood teachings
for example, the Dalai Lama covers subjects like doubt, fear, and dreams which
are very prominent in society as it is a place characterized by risk and
uncertainty, where Buddhists will eventually need guidance in the right direction
and find meaning in their lives
in the classes he gives, he offers a "trans-Buddhist philosophy of kindness and
responsibility" where he transforms a complex metaphysic into sound bites:
"kindness... helps the person who gives it. anger works against the person who
feels it... violence breeds violence".
this chimes well with the contemporary sense that there is no meaning of the
universe beyond which we confer.
in addition, he argues today we should find happiness and its causes. by
engaging in social activity in the community, by trying to help those who are in
difficulty. but Buddhists shouldn't teach them the dharma but use the teachings
to help them.
this is easily understood and simple to carry out, focusing on the importance of
the teachings the Dalai Lama helps us with to help others.
evidence of this popularity comes from the famous movie star, Richard Gere,
who travels to north India to sit in the classes the Dalai lama gives
(-)not all Buddhists see him and his teachings in western Buddhism. Shugden's
followers produce websites filled with Dalai lama material and write and
distribute materials denouncing him. for example, 'The False Dalai Lama: The
Worst Dictator in The Modern World'. they believed they were helping people
understand the deceptive nature of their leader.
however, this is only a minority of worshippers
,NON-BUDDHISTS: seen as compassionate, with his history highlighted repeatedly in
western media
in March 1959, the Tibetans demanded the end of the Chinese rule. during this
violence, the Dalai Lama fled in secret and 80,000 Tibetans followed. he was
offered asylum by the Indian government, and he settled in the northern town of
Dharamsala.
in the fact of this violence, he campaigned for a non-violent solution and spoke
only for compassion and dialogue.
Buddhists and non-Buddhists highlighted this compassion alike as he won a
Nobel Peace Prize and quoted Gandhi: "there are too many human beings who
deserve our compassion". this suggests that he is regarded highly in western
society today even if the people who respect him are not religious as he went
through violence and didn't retaliate (honourable).
in addition, in 1987, he presented the five-point peace plan at the Congressional
Human Rights Caucus in DC to help restore the future status of Tibet.
in reflection that he has always been compassionate when young radicals
became impatient with his line of compassion to all, he threatened to resign
which reflected the dedication of his message to all beings, religious or not.
the media constantly views him in a positive light, with meetings with leaders
like President Barack Obama-- others who follow the president also start to see
him positively
(-) sometimes it causes angry responses. for example, the Dalai lama met David
Cameron which disrupted the Chinese internal affairs and 'hurt' their feelings.
this looks bad in western media because he is seen as one of the most
significant and benevolent religious leaders who stands for peace.
BUDDHISTS: seen as progressive with his teachings in his monasteries-- sees
problems and makes solutions
in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, emphasis is placed on the combination of
study and practice. the Dalai Lama argues you should never separate study,
reflection, and meditation. "You must also preserve the tradition of practice in
which study, reflection, and mediation are indivisible"
, this shows that studying is an important factor and still needs to be included
today to have a better understanding of the practice
in his monasteries today, the monks have begun to learn modern sciences,
women can study for doctoral degrees, and children are educated in Tibetan to
the age of 10 and then they are taught English
this is beneficial to Buddhists because it highlights how he is adapting to
western ideas where there is more equality.
in addition, supporting western ideas, the Dalai Lama argued that science and
Buddhism can co-exist and benefit each other.
for example, by learning science ( a very modern approach to religion), they can
learn the power of meditation and the need for more scientific research on it.
there was a study which found after meditation their blood pressure reduced,
their mind became clearer and they had reduced their stress. this means
science can help bring compassion to our lives through our states of mind.
Dalai lama argued "even lord buddha told his followers not to merely accept the
teachings, rather investigate and experiment as well". this is referred to
emphassiko. this means that in this westernised society, we have the freedom
to explore deeper into the religion which benefits Buddhists.
(-) Dalai Lama is criticised for taking the traditional aspect of Buddhism out. this
is because in the past, looked at the teachings and believed them as the
buddha followed them and became enlightened. but now, we look for new
meanings which could distort the religion
NON-BUDDHISTS: however, in contemporary society, the Dalai Lama has controversial
views which don't fit in with society
this means that not everything he does or teaches reflects his compassionate,
respectable character.
for example, in 2016, he had "no worries" about Trump becoming the president
even though Trump has radical views (although he did say later that trump had
a "lack of moral principle" because he put America first instead of letting
America take on global responsibility).
also, not much notice is taken to his gentle insistence to foreigners that they
should study their own religious traditions: " if you can’t make Christianity work,
you need to look at yourself to find out why"
this suggests that he is not opening up Buddhism to everyone
, in addition, in 2015, he said that if he was followed by a female Dalai Lama then
she would have to be attractive because "beauty is as important as brains". this
has since offended many women and he has not changed his stance on the idea
that if his predecessor is not attractive, she is not of much use to anyone. this
shows that he has very rigid, outdated ideas which don't reflect the fact that he
suggests he advocates for gender equality.
in 2022, there is growing progress in equality and rights for all and so by making
this joke, he may have many Buddhists following on from his ideas. this means
that we would have taken a step back from the progress made.
therefore, all the good he does in the world such as promoting non-violent
solutions may be overshadowed by his controversial thoughts in 2022 which can
cause outrage.
(-) in 2019, it was seen that the Dalai Lama apologized for his remarks against
women -- learn and progressing with the times
however, he admitted it was a joke-- not funny today to make these jokes--just
as bad as meaning it.
