Moral Exemplars and Prophets are a form of moral authority. In order to be a Moral Exemplar and Prophet you must exhibit charisma. Max Weber coined the term charisma and addresses the definition and use of charisma as follows: certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which he is set apart from ordinary men; and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.
(sistinepuzzle.com)
An example of an exemplary leader is the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama’s are the spiritual and political leader of Tibet. “ The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are believed to be enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity” (dalailama.com).
More specifically the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso is considered an exemplary charismatic leader for his fight for Tibet’s freedom and human rights. Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6th 1935 as Lhamo Dhondup. He was believed to bet the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyasto and then renamed Tenzin Gyatso. At the age of 23 he was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, a degree equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy. The Dalai Lama assumed full political power of Tibet in 1950 during China’s invasion, which 1000’s of monks were murdered. Despite this he embarked on peace talks with Chinese leaders but to no avail, the Dalai Lama was forced into exile along with his followers.
The Dalai Lama is frequently embarks on peace initiatives for Tibet and China. On September 21, 1987 the Dalai Lama proposed a Five-Point Peace Plan as a step towards a solution for Tibet to the US congress. His plan proposed a peace zone, abandonment of china’s population transfer policy, respect for the Tibetan people's human rights and democratic freedoms, abandonment of China’s use of Tibet for the production of nuclear weapons and dumping of nuclear waste and finally, negotiations on the future status of Tibet and of relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. (dalailama.com)
The Dalai Lama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, and so on, in recognition of his message of peace, non violence, religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion (dalailama.com).
Jeremiah, a prophet from the Hebrew Bible serves as an example of a charismatic “ethical prophet”. Before Jeremiah was born God set Jeremiah apart to be a prophet. God used him to warn people to stop idolizing things and false prophets because it was destroying Judah. However, the kings did not listen to Jeremiah . Jeremiah used his life to illustrate Gods Promise. For example in Jeremiah 13, 1-7 Jeremiah explains the story of how God had him buy a Linen belt, hide it between rocks, than many days later God had Jeremiah retrieve the belt, only to find it was useless. God did this to show Jeremiah that the sin of worshiping false idols was useless. Eventually what Jeremiah prophesied had come to past. Jeremiah was even persecuted but god assured him, that if he speaks boldly of God, God would give him strength and spare him.
God had appointed Jeremiah warn the people to turn away from idolatry and to declare the destruction of Judah:
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (NIV, Jeremiah,1: 9-10).
God’s people had broken their covenant with God:
The priests did not ask,
‘Where is the Lord?’
Those who deal with the law did not know me;
the leaders rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
following worthless idols. (NIV, Jeremiah 2:8)
In Jeremiah 16:5-9, Jeremiah announces that God would withdraw his blessings from the people:
For this is what the Lord says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people,” declares the Lord. “Both high and low will die in this land.They will not be buried or mourned, and no one will cut themselves or shave their head for the dead. No one will offer food to comfort those who mourn for the dead, not even for a father or a mother, nor will anyone give them a drink to console them.
“And do not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down to eat and drink. For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place.
God fulfills his promise of disaster and spares Jeremiah due to his obedience:
Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declare the Lord.
(NIV, Jeremiah 39:16-18)
Work Cited
Brief Biography (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama)
http://www.dalailama.com/biography/a-brief-biography
Jeremiah the Prophet (Life, Hope & Truth)
http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/prophets/prophets-of-the-bible/jeremiah-the-prophet/
http://sistinepuzzle.com/the-weeping-prophet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-weeping-prophet
Pictures from: (sistinepuzzle.com) and (Dalailama.com)
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