The-Tibetan-Book-of-Living-and-Dying

EVOLUTION, KARMA, AND REBIRTH 105
Tibetan tradition. Yet the whole world knows him as a being
of direct simplicity and the most practical outlook. The Dalai
Lama has a keen interest in all aspects of contemporary
physics, neurobiology, psychology, and politics, and his views
and message of universal responsibility are embraced not only
by Buddhists, but by people of all persuasions all over the
world. His dedication to nonviolence in the forty-year-long,
agonizing struggle of the Tibetan people for their independence
from the Chinese won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989; in a
particularly violent time, his example has inspired people in
their aspirations for freedom in countries in every part of the
globe. The Dalai Lama has become one of the leading spokesmen
for the preservation of the world's environment, tirelessly
trying to awaken his fellow human beings to the dangers of a
selfish, materialistic philosophy. He is honored by intellectuals
and leaders everywhere, and yet I have known hundreds of
quite ordinary people of all kinds and nations whose lives have
been changed by the beauty, humor, and joy of his holy presence.
The Dalai Lama is, I believe, nothing less than the face of
the Buddha of Compassion turned toward an endangered
humanity, the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara not only for Tibet
and not only for Buddhists, but for the whole world—in need,
as never before, of healing compassion and of his example of
total dedication to peace.
It may be surprising for the West to learn how very many
incarnations there have been in Tibet, and how the majority
have been great masters, scholars, authors, mystics, and saints
who made an outstanding contribution both to the teaching of
Buddhism and to society. They played a central role in the history
of Tibet. I believe that this process of incarnation is not
limited to Tibet, but can occur in all countries and at all times.
Throughout history there have been figures of artistic genius,
spiritual strength, and humanitarian vision who have helped
the human race to go forward. I think of Gandhi, Einstein,
Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, of Shakespeare, of St. Francis,
of Beethoven, of Michelangelo. When Tibetans hear of such
people, they immediately say they are bodhisattvas. And whenever
I hear of them, of their work and vision, I am moved by
the majesty of the vast evolutionary process of the buddhas and
masters that emanate to liberate beings and better the world.