Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism, and until the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, he also governed Tibet.  The Dalai Lama leads the Gelug-pa or Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhists.  This group restored discipline to monastic life and promoted academic excellence in the late 14th century.  Relative to Buddhism, Dalai Lamas are a recent development.  There have been a total of 14 lamas to date, and the first two were given the title after their death.  The Dalai Lama is said to the reincarnation of the past lama, who came back to continue his work as a spiritual and political leader.  The name Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom, the current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.  The first Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa, was born 1391.  He founded the Tashi Lhunpo monastery.  After a Dalai Lama dies, the High Lamas begin the search for a new Lama.  There are a few ways they search for the new leader: 

Dream: if one of the High Lamas dreams of a place in which he might be found, or any other distinguishing characteristic

Smoke:  The High Lamas cremate the previous Dalai Lama and follow the smoke

Oracle Lake:  The High Lamas visit a holy lake in central Tibet and wait for a sign

The High Lamas will then present children along their path with birthdays near to the death of the previous Dalai Lama with artifacts, and if the child chooses that of the previous Dalai Lama, it is an indication he is the reincarnation.

Tenzin Gyatso

Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.  There were many significant signs which seemed to guide the High Lamas to Tenzin Gyatso.  He and Tibet have struggled greatly with the violent occupation of the China People’s Republic.  He is the first Dalai Lama to travel west, and did so with the intent to raise awareness and suppor for Buddhisma and resistence in Tibet.  In 1989 Gyatso received the Nobel Peace Prize for maintaining peace with the Chinese government, despite the knowledge that many Tibetans would gladly go to war to restore him as their leader. 

Dalai Lamas:  

• The First Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa: 1391-1474
• Second, Gedun Gyatso: 1475-1542
• Third, Sonam Gyatso: 1543-1588
• Fourth, Yonten Gyatso: 1589-1617
• Fifth, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, "The Great Fifth": 1617-1682
• Sixth, Tsangyang Gyatso: 1682-1706
• Seventh, Kelsang Gyatso: 1708-1757
• Eighth, Jamphel Gyatso: 1758-1804
• Ninth, Lungtok Gyatso: 1805-1815
• Tenth, Tsultrim Gyatso: 1816-1837
• 11th, Khedrup Gyatso: 1838-1856
• 12th, Trinley Gyatso: 1856-1875
• 13th, Thupten Gyatso: 1876-1933