Is the Dalai Lama the leader of Buddhism?

No, the Dalai Lama is not the leader of Buddhism as a whole. He holds a prominent position within Tibetan Buddhism, specifically in the Gelug order, and is considered by his followers to embody the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara. While the Dalai Lama is revered as a spiritual head by Tibetan Buddhists and has millions of followers worldwide, he is not a leader in other Buddhist traditions, such as Thai or Zen Buddhism.

Buddhism is a diverse family of religions with numerous doctrinal variations, and there is no single leader that governs all Buddhist schools, similar to how Christianity does not have a single leader for the entire religion.

The Dalai Lama's fame primarily stems from his role as the leader of the Tibetan community in exile. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the 1950s, he escaped to India and established the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala. He has become an international spokesperson for Tibet's plight, advocating for the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion. In recognition of his efforts, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

While other Buddhist teachers have gained some level of celebrity for their spiritual and political achievements, none have garnered the same level of attention and global sympathy as the Dalai Lama. His impact on raising awareness of Tibetan Buddhism and the challenges faced by the Tibetan people remains unparalleled.