Character Biographies

To me, a story is not what makes a story great, but it is the characters that truly drive the story.

Major Characters:

Rabten Gyaltso:

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” - Albert Einstein

When Rabten was born on December 16, 1984, he came out as a smiling baby with a set of full black hair at the top of his head. He was first given the name of Kipu, which in Tibetan means “happy”, and he certainly was quite a happy child, even in the midst of the Chinese oppression against the Tibetans. His personality fits his zodiac sign as a Sagittarius, because he is jovial and good-humored. Rabten also has a very optimistic and positive outlook on life. He was born into a family of five, him being the youngest, and was raised in the capitol city of Lhasa. His father, Jangbu Yeshe, was a dear friend of the Dalai Lama when they were younger and had continued their friendship into their adulthood. Four years after Rabten was born, in 1988, riots and protests broke out throughout all of China and Tibet and China enforces Martial Law. Rabten’s eldest brother became a part of the rioting, and was accidentally killed, when one of the riots got out of hand. In contrast, Rabten’s eldest sister however, married a Chinese soldier when she was just sixteen and ran away with him to live in Hong Kong. His remaining two brothers became monks at a young age. Rabten’s two brothers are where he gained inspiration from to want to become a monk. He and one of his brothers, Jigme, were incredibly close with one another. Jigme was Rabten’s own personal protector and teacher.

All of his life Rabten yearned to become a monk and to be a part of a monastery. During Rabten’s early childhood, he would visit the monastery often and admire the monks inside them, wishing he could be one of them. Everyday he would sit in the front steps of the Drepung Monastery and wait eagerly for the monks to come out and visit the villages. One day, when Rabten was seven years old, a monk visited his village and recognized Rabten from the temple. The monk told his parents that he had a vision that Rabten was destined to serve Buddha. As in Tibetan tradition, the monk wrote to the Dalai Lama, who then wrote back giving Rabten (who was then named Kipu) a new name. The seven year old Kipu became, Rabten Gyaltso, which in full translation meant “steadfast/faithful” and “ocean of enlightened qualities”. From then on Rabten lived in the monastery to study, learn, and live through his passion of Buddhism. Many of the young women in his village thought it was almost a waste for Rabten to become a monk because of his dashingly handsome and debonair looks. When Rabten entered his teenage years he had out-grown his round childish face, and it became more chiseled and defined. By the age of fifteen he had grown to be six feet tall, with a lean but muscular built. He often towered over the elder monks when they would walk around the village. Although he had many attractive features, the most “eye-catching” part of his body were the beautiful deep chocolate-brown circular pools underneath his eyelids. Rabten’s eyes were filled with such wisdom and understanding beyond his years. However at certain moments, his eyes would turn into an inferno of rage and anger, just to turn back into the gentle brown jewels that they were before.

At fifteen, Rabten decided to go venture into India and be a part of a monastery there. It was then that Rabten caught the eye of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rabten became a pupil of the Dalai Lama, and traveled alongside him while he toured many countries sharing his teachings around the world. Rabten also aspires to become like the Dalai Lama, and hopes to one day provide his teachings of peace, love, and forgiveness to others.

Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso):

“There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, and our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”– Dalai Lama

An infectious smile and big square-rounded glasses are the trademark characteristics of Tenzin Gyatso, also known as “His Holiness” the fourteenth Dalai Lama. How can anyone not help but love this man? His philosophy and perspective on life is unmatched by others, and although he is only seventy-two, the wisdom he possesses is that of a man who’s lived for centuries. His dark brown eyes are filled with the compassion, kindness, and patience of a simple Buddhist monk, whose own personal journey is what has made him to become the man he is today.

This holy man was born on July 6, 1935, to a peasant family in north-eastern Tibet. It is said that a monk had a vision about Tenzin, (who was first named Lhamo Dhondup), that he was the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lamas. The monks visited his village and he underwent a series of different tests to determine whether or not he was the next Dalai Lama. What confirmed his true title, was when he, who was nearly two years old at the time, choice one item, among many items, that belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. He was then given the name Tenzin Gyatso, Tenzin meaning “protector of dharma or doctrine” and “keeper of bond/teachings”. The Dalai Lama definitely stayed true to his name.

Throughout Tenzin’s childhood, he was groomed and prepared to become the Dalai Lama, and an educated one at that. By the time he was six, the Dalai Lama began his education in which he studied ten subjects in total; five major and five minor. Throughout this time, he didn’t experience the typical childhood that children his age had. Most of his days were filled with schooling, studying the intricacies of the Buddhist philosophy and meditating in the temple. Although the Dalai Lama was wise and sophisticated beyond is years, there was a part of him that yearned to just be a normal child, to run free and play amongst the other children his age. While on a visit to one of the local villages, Tenzin met Rabten’s father. Instantly the boys became good friends, and although Tenzin was quite hesitant at first to have a friend, his instinctive human nature immediately made him warm up to Jangbu Yeshe. However the two young boys barely saw each other, but every week they would write and send letters to one another. One day in 1949, Jangbu gave Tenzin a small carved wooden dragon and eagle, which were both small enough to fit onto a charm bracelet. Jangbu gave it to Tenzin as a token of their friendship, because he knew that after the Chinese had invaded Tibet, he wouldn’t be able to see him for quite a while. What ensued after that fateful year of 1950, has stayed and will forever remain inside Tenzin’s heart.

He officially became both the political and spiritual leader of Tibet in 1950 due to the invasion of communist Chinese forces. In these times of fear and uncertainty, Tenzin himself was filled with doubt and concern for the future of his country. In 1959, a Tibetan uprising against the Chinese caused a lot of chaos and destruction on both sides. It was when the Chinese retaliated that the true pandemonium happened. The Dalai Lama was confused and in circles, at one point inside a monastery he started to panic and sweat. To calm down he started to meditate, and it was at this time that he received his first visit from the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi. From then on, whenever the Dalai Lama felt such strong emotion, like rage, anger or confusion, he was visited by the spirit of Gandhi, and later on the spirits of other extraordinary peacemakers like him. The Dalai Lama was torn when he finally left his beloved country of Tibet, but he also understood that it was the most logical decision he had to make.

Since his departure from Tibet, the Dalai Lama has made continuous efforts to develop diplomatic relations with China and to enlighten others around the world with his knowledge and philosophy. He has traveled around the globe to share his teachings, and has even met the likes of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities and stars. Every once in a while when he would struggle with a certain situation, he would go into deep in meditation to talk once again with a friend; whether it be Gandhi, John Lennon, or any other spokesman of peace and unity.

Lobsang Namkha:

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. - Mark Twain

One of the most important lessons that Lobsang Namkha has learned throughout his sixty-five years of life, is that one must forgive but never forget. The events in his life shaped the foolish young man into a sculpture of a wise and disciplined monk.

Lobsang was born prior to the Chinese invasion on April 16, 1942 in the capitol city of Tibet, Lhasa. He grew up in a large family of seven, five of them girls, while him and his brother were the only two sons. His family led a humble yet comfortable life, and their father was a local store owner in the city, while his mother was an exquisite and experienced weaver. Lobsang himself learned a thing or two about weaving from his mother and sisters, although his heart lay within the horses. Lobsang’s uncle owned a stable a mile away from his village, and he would often trek down to meet him so that he could tend to the horses. Lobsang was nine years old when the Chinese invaded the capitol of Lhasa and established military forces. One day, when their father refused to provide free supplies from the store to a Chinese soldier, Lobsang’s father was shot in cold blood in front of him and his sister. That incident created the foundation of Lobsang’s anger toward the Chinese, an anger which would later grow with intensity.

By the age of seventeen Lobsang, like Rabten had grown into a fine and handsome strapping man. He stood tall and strong next to any Chinese soldier, while his full lips would often come out to a pout whenever he saw a soldier pass by. However his eyes then differed very much from the eyes he looks through now. When he was seventeen, his light brown eyes were filled with a sly confidence and at times, they could become so intense that it felt as if they would burn into your soul. However, whenever his eyes looked upon Nima Sangmu, he would immediately soften into a gaze of admiration and love. Lobsang and Nima had been young childhood friends since they were five. In a way, Lobsang always knew he loved Nima, but it wasn’t until they were older that his love for her fully blossomed. One look at Nima was all it took for Lobsang, and his heart would disperse into a million butterflies that fluttered within him. Lobsang became involved in the March 1959 Tibetan uprising, and gladly took the opportunity to revolt against the soldiers and the government that have oppressed his people. Nima wasn’t as headstrong as Lobsang, and didn’t fully participate in the uprising because she knew it was too dangerous. However, the Chinese fought fire with fire, which resulted in mayhem. Before Lobsang became involved in the rioting, Nima gave him her golden sun necklace for good luck and protection. Lobsang later found that Nima fell victim to the cause of the uprising and was killed in her own home alongside the rest of her family. Lobsang’s anger toward the Chinese reaches its peak, and Lobsang did something that till this day he still can not forgive himself.

Due to that incident, Lobsang lost a part of his right arm, and because he felt such remorse he wanted to join the monastery and become a monk to somehow repent for his transgressions. To this day he still wears the sun necklace that Nima gave to him. It was a remembrance of her love and his past so that he may forgive himself and other men for what they’ve done, and to always remember to never forget.

Less-Major Characters:

Nima Sangmu

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain

Widely known around her village as the “ray of sunshine” of Lhasa, Nima, which fittingly means “sun”, is the compassionate lover of Lobsang Namkha. Why she is called the the ray of sunshine widely refers to not only her physical beauty, but her aura and presence is known to light up any room and fill the inhabitants of that room with warmth.

Born on February 25, 1943, Nima Sangmu came out of her mother’s womb without a single tear or a single sound of a cry come out of her mouth. She was born a few miles outside of Lhasa, until her family moved into the capitol city when she was about five years old. It was at this age when she first met Lobsang outside of his father’s store. The two children immediately hit it off, and became friends. Lobsang would often take Nima with him when he visited his uncle’s stable and together they tended to the horses. When Nima turned fourteen, her transformation from a timid and shy girl into a beautiful and kindhearted woman had become aparent. Her petite stature and luxurous flowing long black hair only contributed to her appeal. But most of all, her smile was what stopped the hearts of many men. Lobsang was one of the first to notice this transformation and soon, he and Nima were in love. The moments with Lobsang were one of the most important and cherished moments in Nima’s life. Like Lobsang’s mothers and sisters, Nima was a skilled weaver. The techniques and secrets to weaving have been passed down in her family for generations, and Nima was one of the most skilled weavers for her age in all of the village. She often day dreamed about married life with Lobsang, and when she had the time she weaved extravegent baby clothes. Her aspirations often revolved around Lobsang, and although Nima is a very kind and compassionate person, her pleasant personality is also what makes her naïve.

Nima highly disagreed with the protests and rioting in 1959, because she truly hated how there was so much tension between the two parties; both Tibetan and Chinese. Although Nima experienced the oppression and injustices of the Chinese invasion, she still believed that it would be wrong to strike back with violence. There was only one object that Nima cherished more than anything, and that was her golden sun necklace. It had been a family airloom, and it is said that the necklace had originally belonged to a princess in during the reign of the Guge Kingdom. Nima gave her necklace to Lobsang so that he would be somehow protected and be given luck. However, it was Nima who truly needed the necklace. While in their waiting for the protesting to pass, Chinese soldiers raided their town and killed her and her family.

Jigme Goba

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”- Buddha

Jigme Goba has lived up to the name that the monks had given him when he first entered the monastery. His immeasurable courage and strength have rightfully titled him a Jigme Goba, or a “fearless eagle”. One of the most progressive monks of his kind, Jigme is the embodiment of an entire nation exasperated because of the Chinese oppression.

Born to be a Scorpio on November 18, 1979, Jigme stays true to his Scorpio nature. He is incredibly determined, strong, powerful and passionate, and at times a little hard-headed. Unlike Rabten, Jigme had not always aspired to become a monk. In fact, one of the goals that Jigme had as a young child was to become a diplomat for Tibet and become more involved in the fight for the freedom and independence of his country. He was especially upset about the 1988 incident that killed his eldest brother, whom he had admired and grew close to. However, being one of the older brothers in the household, Jigme decided to take the role as the protector of the family. Jigme also grew very attached to Rabten, because he did not only see Rabten as his younger brother, but for him, Rabten was a faithful companion. When they were younger Jigme would often carry Rabten on his back around town and would defend his brother against bullies. Although he comes off to be the strong silent type, Jigme has a very amusing sense of humor that could cheer anyone up. Jigme is also anything but silent. He is a true diplomat at heart, and often speaks his mind about his feelings towards the Chinese.

Jigme’s life path took a drastic turn when he turned twelve years old. He became influenced by a young monk in a nearby monastery and became convinced to become a monk himself. Although Jigme isn’t your conventional monk, he excelled well in comprehending Buddhist philosophy. He not only learned it, but it was a way of life for him. It greatly upset him however, when Rabten decided to join a monastery in India, but in a way Jigme always knew that Rabten was destined for greatness.

Jigme’s strong personality got the best of him when he and other monks started uproar in Lhasa. Other people became involved, and soon buildings were being burnt and Jigme wanted to make a message clear that he and his people want freedom. Although, however important and strong his intentions were, it did not prepare for what was to happen to his fate.