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Dalai Lama caught in the middle as India and China reboot ties

By Sugam Pokharel, CNN

Updated 0008 GMT (0808 HKT) March 31, 2018

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Although he describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama has been called one of the world's most influential people. Followers believe he is the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the enlightened Buddha of compassion. He has been living in exile since 1959, but he travels the world with a message of tolerance and peace and is arguably the most visible symbol of Tibet's struggle for autonomy.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
Although he describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama has been called one of the world's most influential people. Followers believe he is the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the enlightened Buddha of compassion. He has been living in exile since 1959, but he travels the world with a message of tolerance and peace and is arguably the most visible symbol of Tibet's struggle for autonomy.
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The Dalai Lama is seen here as a child. He was born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6, 1935, in the small village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
The Dalai Lama is seen here as a child. He was born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6, 1935, in the small village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet.
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His parents were peasant farmers, pictured here with two of their other sons. In 1938, the future Dalai Lama was taken to the Kumbum monastery after he was found by a delegation of monks and correctly identified several objects that belonged to the previous Dalai Lama.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
His parents were peasant farmers, pictured here with two of their other sons. In 1938, the future Dalai Lama was taken to the Kumbum monastery after he was found by a delegation of monks and correctly identified several objects that belonged to the previous Dalai Lama.
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The Dalai Lama's enthronement ceremony took place on February 22, 1940, in Lhasa, Tibet. He was renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom).
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
The Dalai Lama's enthronement ceremony took place on February 22, 1940, in Lhasa, Tibet. He was renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom).
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Chinese troops march over the highlands after their invasion of Tibet in 1950. At age 15, the Dalai Lama assumed full political power ahead of schedule. His investiture was moved up from his 18th birthday as a result of China's invasion.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
Chinese troops march over the highlands after their invasion of Tibet in 1950. At age 15, the Dalai Lama assumed full political power ahead of schedule. His investiture was moved up from his 18th birthday as a result of China's invasion.
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The Dalai Lama shakes hands with Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong in 1954. Up until 1959, the Dalai Lama participated in unsuccessful peace talks with Chinese officials in Beijing.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
The Dalai Lama shakes hands with Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong in 1954. Up until 1959, the Dalai Lama participated in unsuccessful peace talks with Chinese officials in Beijing.
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Tibetans gather during an armed uprising against Chinese rule on March 10, 1959, in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Photos: The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader
Tibetans gather during an armed uprising against Chinese rule on March 10, 1959, in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
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Fearing for his life, the Dalai Lama (sixth from left) flees Tibet in March 1959 and heads across the Himalayas to India disguised as a soldier. The Dalai Lama has long denied China's assertion that he's seeking Tibetan independence. He says he wants only enough autonomy to protect its traditional Buddhist culture. Beijing rejects accusations of oppression, saying that under its rule, living standards have greatly improved for the Tibetan people. It makes centuries-old historical claims on the region.