The 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondup, later renamed Tenzin Gyatso, is recognized as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born on July 6, 1935, in a small village called Taktser in northeastern Tibet. Identified as the reincarnation of his predecessor when he was just two years old, he began his monastic education at six. At the age of 15, he assumed full political power in Tibet, but in 1959, following the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, he fled to India, where he has lived as a refugee ever since.

As a prominent advocate for peace, the 14th Dalai Lama has traveled extensively, giving talks on compassion, environment, and interfaith harmony. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He continues to inspire people around the world with his messages of peace and human rights.