His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Spiritual leader of the Tibetan community in exile, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) is recognized around the world as an emissary of peace, compassion, and wisdom. His Holiness was forced to flee Tibet in 1959 due to China’s military invasion, and he has since resided in Dharamsala, India. Despite these circumstances, His Holiness has been an outspoken advocate of non-violence on the world stage, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

Though His Holiness earned his Geshe Lharampa philosophy degree (equivalent to a PhD in Western academia) at the young age of 23, he has maintained a keen interest in the methods and discoveries of Western science throughout his life. His open mind and genuine curiosity have catalyzed many meetings, both large and small, with Western scientists on topics ranging from human psychology to the nature of reality. Most notable among these are the Mind & Life Dialogues established in 1987, which seek to bring together modern science and contemplative wisdom to better understand the mind and address global challenges. His Holiness has also authored or co-authored over 110 books, whose subjects include Buddhist philosophy and practice, inter-religious dialogue, ethics for the modern world, and the convergence of science and contemplative practice.