Here is a look at the life of his Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual leader of the people of Tibet.

Personal: Birth date: July 6, 1935

Birth place: Taktser, Amdo province, Tibet

Birth name: Lhamo Dhondrub, renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso

Father: Choekyong Tsering

Mother: Dekyi Tsering

Education: Geshe Lharampa Degree (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy), 1959

Other Facts: The Dalai Lamas are the manifestations of the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people.

This Dalai Lama, the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatsois, is the 74th manifestation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the enlightened Buddha of compassion.

Tibetans normally refer to His Holiness as Yeshe Norbu, the Wishfulfilling Gem, or simply Kundun - The Presence.

His Holiness has continuously emphasized the need to further democratize the Tibetan administration and has publicly declared that once Tibet regains independence he will not hold political office.

Has traveled to numerous countries with a message of religious and cultural tolerance and peace.

Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize.

Timeline: 1938 - Is taken from his family in Taktser and taken to the Kumbum monastery after a delegation of monks looking for the new Dalai Lama find him.

February 22, 1940 - Enthronement ceremony takes place in Lhasa, Tibet.

November 8, 1950 - Chinese soldiers of the People's Liberation Army invade Tibet at Lhasa.

November 17, 1950 - Assumes full political power as Tibetan Head of State and Government almost 2 years ahead of schedule. Investiture is moved up from eighteenth birthday (was to be July 6, 1952) as a result of China's invasion of Tibet.

1954-1959 - Participates in unsuccessful peace talks in Beijing with Chinese leaders including Mao Tse-Tung, Chou En-lai and Deng Xiaoping. In 1959, the talks end when the Chinese army forces 80,000 Tibetan refugees into exile.

March 17, 1959 - Goes into exile; leaves Lhasa for India dressed as a soldier.

April 21, 1959 - Officially takes up residence in exile in Mussoorie, India.