Why is the Dalai Llama so loved when he was never elected?

1. 59

   justincayceposted 13 years ago

   Why is the Dalai Llama so loved when he was never elected?
   
   I know I'll probably get a lot of flack for this question from people who know him to be a spiritual guy with a winning smile. But elections PROVE what the majority people want. To say that it is obvious what Tibetans want is merely to hold a widely held opinion - not a fact. But as the current Dalai Llamma retires - maybe he could choose a successor that Tibetan could vote for in elections.

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2. 70

   saitamposted 13 years ago

   If they believe the Dalai Llama is the "chosen one", that cannot be voted. They simply believe that God chose him, so it is not a position to be voted.
   
   It is an old tradition from when there were kingdoms that were ruled by father and son. Different from the method to choose the Pope.

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3. 59

   wkhigleyposted 13 years ago

   Unfortunately saitam is wrong on several points.  The Dalai Lama is supposed to be the reincarnation of a specific bodhisattva. While views vary among different forms of Buddhism, bodisattvas are generally thought of as people other than the Buddha who have achieved enlightenment.  Buddhism doesn't have a god or chosen ones. Buddha is a title given to the spiritual leader that first achieved enlightenment and taught others about it. While there are some cases of him being deified, Buddhism is typically an atheistic religion. It is not a tradition of handing down a title from father to son at all. When the Dalai Lama dies, they begin a process to find his next reincarnation. 
   
   Also, while the selection of the pope is often referred to as an election process, it is worth pointing out that it is not an open election that reflects the majority of Catholics, but rather an election and appointment from a group within the church. Throughout history, popes have been selected through a variety of methods, including being appointed by secular leaders.
   
   Another quick correction, it's Lama, not Llama. Two L's refers to the animal.

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