Spiritual Figures  Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) FAQs  FAQ
How does the Dalai Lama continue to spread his teachings and influence worldwide?

The Dalai Lama’s influence radiates outward through a pattern of activity that is both traditional and remarkably adaptable. He continues to undertake international teaching tours, offering public talks, formal Buddhist teachings, and lectures in universities, monasteries, and civic venues. These gatherings address not only Buddhist philosophy and meditation, but also ethics, compassion, nonviolence, and secular human values, and they often unfold in dialogue with scholars, religious leaders, and lay audiences from many cultures. Interfaith meetings and conferences further extend this presence, as he consistently emphasizes religious harmony and shared ethical concerns. In this way, his physical travels become a living embodiment of the ideal of universal responsibility.

Alongside these direct encounters, a substantial body of written and recorded teachings carries his voice into many languages and contexts. He has authored or co‑authored numerous books on Buddhist thought, meditation, ethics, happiness, and secular approaches to compassion, which are widely translated and studied. These works are complemented by a large archive of video and audio teachings, as well as interviews and documentaries, making his reflections accessible far beyond those who can meet him in person. Through such texts and recordings, his message is preserved in a form that can be revisited, contemplated, and integrated into daily life.

His presence in the digital sphere further amplifies this transmission. An official website shares schedules, statements, and transcripts of teachings, while social media channels and live‑streamed events allow his talks, dialogues, and question‑and‑answer sessions to reach global audiences in real time. Short messages emphasizing compassion, peace, and ethical responsibility circulate widely, offering brief but potent reminders of the values he espouses. In this way, the ancient lineage of Tibetan Buddhism finds a contemporary vehicle that speaks to both devoted practitioners and those with a more secular orientation.

Institutional and collaborative endeavors also play a decisive role in sustaining and extending his influence. The Office of His Holiness and related foundations coordinate teachings, travel, publications, and humanitarian projects, while monasteries and Tibetan Buddhist centers around the world serve as hubs for study and practice inspired by his guidance. Through initiatives such as the Mind & Life dialogues, he engages in sustained conversation with scientists and educators, encouraging research into meditation and the integration of secular ethics and emotional education into curricula. By training and empowering monks, nuns, and lay teachers, and by advocating for nonviolent solutions and the preservation of Tibetan culture and human rights, he ensures that the values of compassion, wisdom, and responsibility continue to take root in many different societies and fields of endeavor.