On this day in 1935 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso was born.

The spiritual leader of Tibet came from a farming family in north-eastern Tibet and was recognised as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama at the age of two. Describing himself as a simple Buddhist monk, he has received numerous honours and awards including the 1989 Nobel peace prize. He travels widely and is a passionate advocate of his three main commitments in life: the promotion of basic human values, the promotion of harmony and understanding among the world’s major religions and the welfare of the Tibetan people. The world has few charismatic people truly dedicated to helping others.

The Dalai Lama is a shining example of simplicity and acceptance of one’s lot, as echoed in this poem by seventeenth century poet Thomas Dekker, O Sweet Content:

Art thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?
O sweet content!
Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplex’d?
O punishment!
Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vex’d
To add to golden numbers, golden numbers?
O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!
Work apace, apace, apace, apace;
Honest labour bears a lovely face;
Then hey nonny nonny, hey nonny nonny!
Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring?
O sweet content!
Swimm’st thou in wealth, yet sink’st in thine own tears?
O punishment!
Then he that patiently want’s burden bears
No burden bears, but in a king, a king!
O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!

To listen to this poem, click here –

Today I give thanks for the Dalai Lama and for the work that he does, may he long continue to be a role model.