July 6 marks the 90th birthday of the 14th dalai lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who is considered to be a Buddhist bodhisattva, or one who recognizes their interdependence with all others and aspires to reincarnate to serve all beings. Since his exile in 1959, the Dalai Lama has become a symbol of religious freedom and national sovereignty for Tibetans in exile, and one of the most vocal Buddhist leaders promoting secular ethics and the integration of Buddhism and science.
The question of who will be the next dalai lama has political significance. But what form will his next reincarnation take? Continue reading here.