Reputation: Reflections of Actions and Words

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave – DAKOTA.” (Hodges, 2012, p.138).

Some people will argue that reputation matters and some will argue that it doesn’t, but if we look at the definition of reputation according to Cambridge Dictionary (1999); “reputation is the opinion that people in general have about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behavior or character.” I can say that reputation involves the belief of what others think of you, and it is a reflection of your own actions and words, and because of these actions and words people form a perception about you and what you stand for. But if we look at the reputation of the Dalai Lama of Tibet who is a famous figure

Therefore in my opinion, one person may be viewed differently to different people according to their culture or political and religion beliefs (Waterhouse, 2008).

The Dalai Lama considers himself as an ordinary Buddhist monk, but because Buddhism is the official religion of the people of Tibet they believe that he is a 14th reincarnation of the original Dalai Lama, a powerful figure, who has the highest religious status, blessing and respect. They consider him as an enlightened being that helps other suffering beings, an ocean of wisdom, guidance, a compassionate man and a living Buddha based on tradition, belief and a heredity system. And because religion and politics are connected according to their belief and tradition, the Dalai Lama to them is not only a spiritual leader but he is the head of the Tibetan state, a political leader and a ‘god-king’ as well (Waterhouse, 2008). The Dalai Lama ‘Tenzin Gyatso’ was born in 1935 in Taktser, China. When he was two years old he got recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama, when he reached the age of five he was educated and groomed to assume his role. He then assumed his full political power when he reached fifteen years old, but

To them he is a celebrity, a man who supports non-violent acts even when facing aggression, he is a man who supports Mahatma Gandhi’s pacifist policies, he is a man of peace who represents one of the major religions in the world ‘Tibetan Buddhism’, which in the eyes of the Western people it is a religion of peace and wisdom. And even though Buddhism has always been a missionary religion, the Dalai Lama stated that his positive views of the future has no intentions to make people convert into the religion that he represents, and he believes that each person has the right to choose any religion that they prefer, but at the same time they also has the right to change their religion if they’ve found another religion is more appealing to them spiritually, but most importantly he asks them to be genuine and dedicated to whichever religion that they choose. Here is what Dalai Lama had to say in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech; “In general I am in favor of people continuing to follow the religion of their own culture and inheritance. Of course, individuals have every right to change if they find that a new religion is more effective or suitable for their spiritual needs. But generally speaking, it is better to experience the value of one’s own religious tradition. […] If you are a Christian, it is better to develop spiritually within your religion and be a genuine, good Christian. If you are a Buddhist, be