imagine that 'Fabio' is the spiritual leader of your religion, a walking talking deity among humans on Earth. You worship Fabio with all of your effort, and believe he is infallible. Your culture has precepts that forbid the casual use of Fabio's name in petty regard.
On the other side of the Earth, at the same time, is someone who names their new powerboat 'Fabio'.
I perceive it as that kind of offense. The (so-called) 'petty' use of a word that drives much stronger emotion in others.
That said, I don't share the belief -- and I like such names; but I can understand the conflict.
If I'm not using the name to insult your God/spiritual leader/whatnot, you have no moral right to prevent me. I think that the intent to offend is the crux here, and if there's no offensive intent, there should be no issue.
So maybe leave it to people who are actually offended by something to say if they're offended, rather than being offended on someone's behalf without knowing if they are?
May the touch of his noodly appendage bring enlightenment to those yet to open themselves to the Pastafarian ways.
Now after reading all the opinions and contemplating on them I’d say i would change my mind as long as the project README would mention the phonetical origination of its name, just in case someone not familiar with the original Dalai Lama, but stumbled at your project would have a meaningful reference.
Having that information included in project info - I’d say it would do more good than harm. Otherwise - it’s inappropriate