Who is the Dalai Lama?

Dalai Lama Katz 4 copy The Dalai Lama is arguably the most revered religious leader in the world.

But who is he from an insider, Tibetan perspective? How did this unique cultural institution come to be, and how has it changed over the centuries? How does he “fit” into the Tibetan spiritual universe? And why is he of such tremendous global popularity?