An Overview of the Dalai Lama

In the history of Tibetan Buddhism, there have been 14 Dalai Lamas. The term Dalai Lama was first given to the spiritual leader of Gelug or Yellow Hat Buddhism, which the Tibetan people consider to be the most significant school of Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai is a Mongolian term that means ocean or big, and Lama is a Tibetan word that means master or guru. The spiritual leader is known around the world as the Dalai Lama, but in Tibet, he is referred to as Rgyal ba, which means precious conqueror.

Buddhism holds the view that Avalokitesvara, or the Bodhisattva of Compassion, has a divine relationship with the Tibetan people and has blessed them by sending a divine and compassionate ruler, known as the Dalai Lama. The major book of the Kadapa School in Kadam, which was the birthplace of the first Dalai Lama, holds this belief.

History of Famous Dalai Lamas

Pampa Dorje (1391-1474), the boy who became the first Dalai Lama and was given the name Gendun Drup, was born into a poor family. After his father died and his mother could not care for him, he was sent to his uncle. His uncle was a monk in Narthang, which is a Kadampa monastery near Shigatse. Gendun Drup ascended to the position of Gelugpa chief, retired from teaching, and subsequently died in 1447.

Second Dalai Lama

Following the death of the first Dalai Lama, it was claimed that a three-year-old child was the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. His name was Genden Gyatso, and he was born around 1475 in Tanak Dorjeden, Tibet. He was known to be gifted and completed 12 years of study in just three. In his twenties, he became popular, and tens of thousands of people began to attend his lectures. Genden Gyatso became one of Tibet’s most powerful leaders. In 1542, he indicated that he would die shortly, and after four days of mediation, he passed away.

Third Dalai Lama

The third Dalai Lama named Sonam Gyatso was born in Khangsar Tibet in 1543, less than a year after the death of the second Dalai Lama. With the help of Altan Khan, he led Mongolia down the path of dharma and established Mongolia as a Buddhist country. Due to illness, he died in the year 1588. 

Fourth Dalai Lama

Yonten Gyatso, the Fourth Dalai Lama, was born in 1589 and was the only Dalai Lama who was not Tibetan. He was the grandson of Atlan Khan.

Fifth Dalai Lama

Gushi Khan appointed Lobsang Gyatso (1617–82), also known as the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. The construction of the Potala Palace began in 1645 under the leadership of the fifth Dalai Lama, who also instituted a tax system and a one-of-a-kind environmental preservation programme. 

Sixth Dalai Lama

Tsangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama, was the only Dalai Lama who lived his entire life as a layman. He was a libertine and a Romantic poet. He died while being escorted to China by the military.

Seventh Dalai Lama

The seventh Dalai Lama named Kelzang Gyatso was a prolific writer who penned numerous novels, commentaries, poems, and other works during wartime. 

Eighth Dalai Lama

In 1758, Jampel Gyatso, the eighth Dalai Lama, was born in Tsang. As a monk, he was a gentle and contemplative individual who was uninterested in worldly matters. With the help of the Chinese, he defeated the Gurkha forces.

Ninth to Twelfth Dalai Lamas

The next four Dalai Lamas could not make significant contributions to civilization, because they all died young. Langton Gyatso (1806-1815), Tsultrim Gyatso (1816-1837), Khedurb Gyatso (1838-1856), and Trinity Gyatso (1838-1856) were the four Dalai Lamas during the 1856 – 1875 period.

Thirteenth Dalai Lama

Tibetean Gyatso was born in the village of Lagedun, southeast of Lhasa, in 1876. During this time, the 13th Dalai Lama had to deal with three powerful empires: China, Russia, and british. He died on the 17th of December, 1933, while meditating.

Fourteenth Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born in 1935 in Amado, close to the famed Kumbum Monastery. While he was pursuing his education, Communists rose to power in China under Chairman Mao. Mao declared Tibet to be a part of China, and the government in Lhasa immediately appointed the 14th Dalai Lama as Tibet’s ruler. Chinese soldiers began to seize control of Tibet. In 1959, the Dalai Lama and his many followers fled Tibet and crossed over the Indian border, managing to save their lives.

Conclusion

The Dalai Lama is one of the world’s most prominent spiritual leaders whose teachings are widely followed. The Dalai Lama is wholly dedicated to the advancement of human values, religious harmony and understanding, the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist peace, and nonviolent culture. 

The lessons taught by the Dalai Lama have aided in the transformation of many lives, and people consider the Dalai Lama to be an inspiration. Buddhist teachings and counsel have provided solutions to many of the world’s issues. Furthermore, the teachings of the Dalai Lama have helped the personal development of individuals around the world.Introduction

The name Dalai Lama is used in Tibet to refer to the foremost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism’s Geluk or Yellow Hat school. The Yellow Hat school of Tibetan Buddhism is the newest and most powerful of the four major schools.

The Dalai Lama is an inheritor in the line of tulkus. Tulkus are thought to be incarnations of Avalokitesvara or the Compassionate Bodhisattva. When the fifth Dalai Lama was in power in Tibet in the 17th century, the Dalai Lama’s unification prevailed.

When the fifth Dalai Lama became a prominent figure in the Geluk dynasty that dominated central Tibet, Buddhist beliefs and practices gained global recognition.