ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
There can be political / social implications though, like the difference between saying "Ukraine" and "the Ukraine".  But unless it's for academic work, I don't think it makes too much difference unless there is potential for confusion.  So I'd go with either "Let them eat cake" - Queen Elizabeth II or "Let them eat cake" - Queen (Freddie Mercury).  For casual text Dalai Lama is fine but in a more formal sense or if it is something someone is likely to read after he passes on (Although apparently he may be the last), I'd give the number too. 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Joe

 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote: 
Hmm.

 Proclivities wrote: 

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
This is my job: Help people not look wrong. In print. Forever.

 sirdroseph wrote: 
"Richard Gere's BFF"?

I just learned something. Always thought it was Marie Antoinette who said that but not so apparently:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake

 

"Artist formerly known as" may cover it.

What about, "The same old Dalai Lama" ??

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
I agree with your argument. They are all the same reincarnated voice, so numbering is irrelevant. 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
I think you need more work to do.

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
Sure, and that's what I'm going with, but it isn't about the religion. It's them who specifies which iteration it is who's speaking, so I don't have a problem with that. But we wouldn't say 

"Let them eat cake" —Queen 

or even "Let them eat cake" —the Queen

but we would casually say, to an audience who knows which queen we're talking about, "the Queen says you're gonna die" is fine.

etc. but in the Dalai Lama's case, there's only one at any one time, so I guess we don't need to be more specific. And being more specific only gives us some time reference. You're right that it's the same voice through the centuries, and we don't really care which meatbag it came out of, unless we need historical context. So "the Dalai Lama" it will be. Unless I'm corrected downstream. 
 
I just have to talk this stuff out sometimes...  

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Maybe just: Dalai Lama XIV....?

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
My understanding is that The Dalai Lama is a spiritual being reincarnated into a new human body when the old one expires. That makes him the same Dalai Lama, but the 14th incarnation. I'd just go with The Dalai Lama, 'cause he's the same one. *shrug*

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Aren't they all the same one, just reincarnated? 

I'm trying to figure out how to cite the Dalai Lama. As in, a quote of his.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

I was given "Dalai Lama" but that's not right, right? At the very least, "the Dalai Lama" seems grammatically more correct. Then you just add whatever floats your boat, I guess. Specifying which Dalai Lama makes sense, so "the 14th Dalai Lama." But that's like saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick. —The 26th President." So now I'm up to "His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso" but oof.