I always try to emphasize this to people. There are 4 Tibetan schools and he’s the political (not even spiritual) figurehead of one of them. In the others, he’s at most a respected teacher or not thought about at all.
This is technically correct, but in practice not really. From what I’ve seen, he’s revered as a spiritual leader of immense importance by most Tibetans.
Globally, that branch of Buddhism is on the relatively small side.
I always try to emphasize this to people. There are 4 Tibetan schools and he’s the political (not even spiritual) figurehead of one of them. In the others, he’s at most a respected teacher or not thought about at all.
This is technically correct, but in practice not really. From what I’ve seen, he’s revered as a spiritual leader of immense importance by most Tibetans.