Aravinda Ananthraman - The 14th Dalai Lama: Buddha of Compassion

Four-year old Lhamo Dhondup sat on the ornate high throne. Dressed in heavy ceremonial robes, he surveyed the crowds that thronged to the palace. His eyes searched for familiar faces and finally found them in the front row, looking up at him. His mother, Deki Tsering, his father, Choekyong Tsering, his older sister Tsering Dolma and his three older brothers, Thubten Jigme Norbu, Gyalo Dhondup and Lobsang Samten. Already, there was distance between themhe could not jump up and run to his mother, as he would have liked to very much. His family must have felt the same. Lobsang Samten, closest to Lhamo in age and his constant playmate, looked indignant at not being allowed to sit up on the throne with his kid brother.

In the palace, dignitaries from far and wide stood respectfully while high officials conducted the coronation ceremony. Everyone had brought presentshorses, cattle, gold, silver, precious stones and rare manuscriptsfor the boy chosen as the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Lhamo looked at his gifts with growing boredom. And then something caught his fancya Meccano model construction set gifted by the British representative, who must have realized that he may be no less than the Dalai Lama was only a boy.

In Lhasa, there was jubilation that the seat of the Dalai Lama, which had been empty for seven long years was occupied once more. The Regent rejoiced because his long search for the incarnation of his master, the 13th Dalai Lama had finally come to an end. Lhamos family felt honoured and blessed that the highest incarnation in Tibet had chosen their humble home to be born into. And as for Lhamo, he looked forward to playing with his Meccano set. It stirred his interest in all things mechanical, and growing up as the Dalai Lama of Tibet, one of his favourite pastimes was to take machines apart to see how they worked. And putting them together again with the hope that they would still work.

Lhamos birth had been eventful. It is believed that the village where an important monk will incarnate will see misfortune for a few years before the birth. And so it was with Taktser village in the province of Amdo. For several months before Lhamo Dhondup was born, the village experienced many disasters, including long seasons of drought. There were hailstorms too, and much livestock was lost. People wondered at the strange turn of events: Could it be that all this was pointing towards the birth of someone important? Or were they merely paying the price for their sins? The family of Choekyong Tsering, too, suffered considerably and the master of the house himself lay on his deathbed.

It was in the month of July, 1935 and the rains lashed outside as Deki gave birth to a boy. At the same time as the child was born, Choekyong found himself miraculously cured of all his afflictions. Outside, the weather cleared and a rainbow had appeared in the sky. The villagers came to Choekyongs house to see this special child who had brought good fortune to Taktser. He was named Lhamo Dhondup, which means wish-fulfilling goddess. Choekyong, was so relieved at things changing for the better, that he named his son after the goddess Palden Lhamo, who is considered an important goddess in the pantheon of Tibetan deities.

When Lhamo was two years old, a group of travellers stopped at his house one day. This was a common practice in Tibet, where in the absence of hotels and restaurants, travellers would often stop for shelter and meals at peoples homes. Deki welcomed the weary travellers warmly. Lhamo, curious and not at all shy, walked over to one of the servants, a smiling man with kind eyes, who was accompanying the travellers. Settling on his lap, Lhamos little hands reached for the rosary around the servants neck, and he asked for it.

Ill give it to you if you tell me who I am, said the servant.

You are Sera-aga, answered the boy. A monk from Sera monastery.

And who is that? asked the servant, pointing to the master.

That is Losang, replied the boy.

Looking pleased, the servant, who was actually a senior monk named Kesang in disguise, removed his rosary and handed it to Lhamo. He then spent the rest of the day watching the boy play. The next morning, the travellers set off on their journey. And to Dekis surprise, Lhamo ran behind them crying that he too be allowed to go with them.