These qualities are the ultimate source of human happiness, and the need for them lies at the very core of our being " ( Dalai Lama ).

" Many would agree with the Dalai Lama that Buddhism as a religion is kindness toward others.

Still, the notion of altruism is modified in such a world-view, since the belief is that such a practice promotes our own happiness: " The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes " ( Dalai Lama ).

Many international religious leaders have visited Chicago, including Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.

For example, the 14th Dalai Lama, long insistent on Tibet's history being separate from that of China's, conceded in 2005 that Tibet " is a part " of China's " 5000-year history " as part of a new proposal for Tibetan autonomy.

The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or " Yellow Hat " branch of Tibetan Buddhism.

In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara.

Traditionally, the Dalai Lama is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others.

The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence.

The line of Dalai Lamas began as a lineage of spiritual teachers ; the 5th Dalai Lama assumed political authority over Tibet.

The 14th Dalai Lama remained the head of state for the Central Tibetan Administration (" Tibetan government in exile ") until his retirement on March 14, 2011.

He has indicated that the institution of the Dalai Lama may be abolished in the future, and also that the next Dalai Lama may be found outside Tibet and may be female.

The Chinese government was very quick to reject this and claimed that only it has the authority to select the next Dalai Lama.

In 1578 the Mongol ruler Altan Khan bestowed the title Dalai Lama on Sonam Gyatso.

However, the 14th Dalai Lama asserts that Altan Khan did not intend to bestow a title as such and that he intended only to translate the name " Sonam Gyatso " into Mongolian.

The 14th Dalai Lama commented:

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso in 2007

Yonten Gyatso ( 1589 – 1616 ), the 4th Dalai Lama, and a non-Tibetan, was the grandson of Altan Khan.

Due to his two periods of exile in 1904 – 1909, to escape the British invasion of 1904, and from 1910 – 1912 to escape a Chinese invasion, he became well aware of the complexities of international politics and was the first Dalai Lama to become aware of the importance of foreign relations.

* 1933 – Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama ( b. 1876 )

* 1856 – Khedrup Gyatso, 11th Dalai Lama ( b. 1838 )

* 1935 – Tenzin Gyatso, Chinese monk, 14th Dalai Lama and Nobel Prize laureate

The 4th Dalai Lama Yonten Gyatso ( 1589 – 1617 ), a Mongolian, was the only non-Tibetan Dalai Lama.

* 1683 – Tsangyang Gyatso, 6th Dalai Lama ( d. 1706 )

* 1959 – Tibetan uprising: Fearing an abduction attempt by China, 300, 000 Tibetans surround the Dalai Lama's palace to prevent his removal.

* 1959 – Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet for India.

* 1959 – The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, crosses the border into India and is granted political asylum.

* 1838 – Khedrup Gyatso, 11th Dalai Lama ( d. 1856 )

* 1990 – The Dalai Lama unveils the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights in Canada's capital city of Ottawa.

* September 7 – British expedition to Tibet: The Dalai Lama signs the Anglo-Tibetan Treaty with Colonel Francis Younghusband.

* March 17 – Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet.

* February 22 – In Tibet, province of Ando, 4-year-old Tenzin Gyatso is proclaimed the tulku ( rebirth ) of the thirteenth Dalai Lama.

* February 12 – Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama ( d. 1933 )

* January 26 – the 12th Dalai Lama ( d. 1875 )

* April 25 – the 12th Dalai Lama ( b. 1857 )

* 1816 – Tsultrim Gyatso becomes the 10th Dalai Lama.

* October 5 – The Dalai Lama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

* Peace – Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

* December 17 – Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama ( b. 1876 )

A key UNPO goal was to replicate the success of the 14th Dalai Lama's propagating of the Tibetan independence message, and they often mentioned his name in the early years of the organization, as well as including in publications pictures of him visiting UNPO and supporting statements he made of the organization.

So the two decided to end the influence of Dalai Lama and the " Yellow Hat " order by supporting the " Red Hat " order.

Pro-Dorje Shugden Lamas such as Geshe Kelsang Gyatso have asked the Dalai Lama to present valid reasons supporting his claims and, in the absence of any response, have continued to engage in the practice.