The role of the Dalai Lama is that of a spiritual leader and a sign of unity among Tibetans and particularly among practicing Buddhists throughout the world. This role has been difficult to fill, since His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was exiled from his home in Tibet by the Chinese government more than 50 years ago. He has been considered a political exile because he wants Tibet and all practicing monks to be freed from Chinese rule. After his exile, the Dalai Lama remained a symbol of strength and unity among Buddhist practitioners. He worked from his residence in India to try to improve conditions between the Chinese government and the Tibetans. The Chinese have instituted a policy that all reincarnations must be filed and approved by the government and not by Buddhist traditions, as has always been the case. As the Chinese government attempts to modernize Tibetan culture, the Chinese government should not be allowed to put officials in charge of monasteries, because control affects schools of learning that were once predominant in Tibetan culture, it affects culture. of Tibetan Buddhism, including limiting the ability of important religious figures to reincarnate without government approval. The system of reincarnation, a distinctive feature of Buddhism, particularly that practiced in Tibet, is based on the concept that Buddha's soul never disappears, but is successively reincarnated to lead his disciples and to complete his unfinished work (Maguire , 2001). Karma Pakshi is said to be the first reincarnation among the Buddhist monks of Tibet. In 1193, before Dusum Chenpa, the first Karmapa of Tibetan Buddhism, died, he told his believers that he would return as... middle of paper ...... filling a larger animal like a goat. The goat would allow you to feed your entire family and a few friends while the rabbit would only feed you. Karma is believed to be balanced between killing for food and generosity shown in feeding others. This is an important thing to know because karma plays a larger role in how or if a person will be reborn. A person cannot achieve nirvana if he has not eliminated his karma and achieved enlightenment. Most of the political tumult began in 1951 when officials sent from Tibet traveled to Beijing to negotiate with the People's Republic of China. The officials were sent to discuss conditions for Tibet to continue to govern its own people and freely practice its religion in Tibet. This was authorized by the People's Republic of China because Tibet was not under American, British or other foreign control..