Dalai Lama


The Dalai Lama is the highest religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism and,
until the People's Republic of China instituted direct control in 1959, was
Tibet's most powerful political leader. Dalai Lama is a Mongolian title
meaning "Ocean of Wisdom", The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations
of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, whose name is Chenrezig in Tibetan and
Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have
postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth to serve humanity.

The current incarnation of the Dalai is Tenzin Gyatso.

Upon the passing of the Dalai Lama, his monks institute a search for the
Lama's reincarnation, who is usually a small child. Familiarity with the
possesions of the previous Dalai Lama is considered the main sign of the
reincarnation. The search for the reincarnation typically requires a few
years which results in a gap in the list of the Dalai Lamas. The
reincarnation is then brought to a monastery to be trained by the other
Lamas. The process is not always peaceful; at times rival groups of lamas
each "discover" a child and claim it is the true reincarnation. This has
historically turned into political struggle to decide who is the real Dalai
Lama, in a manner analogous with the Pope and the Antipope stories in the
Christian world.

The government of the People's Republic of China has asserted the power to
approve the naming of high lamas in Tibet and has exercised this power in
the naming of the Panchen Lama, who is empowered to recognize the new Dalai
Lama. Most observers believe that with the passage of the current Dalai
Lama, the PRC will attempt to force a selection of a successor and that this
risks creating a schism and leadership vacuum in the Tibetan independence
movement.

The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, but he
has received the highest teachings and empowerments of all the main schools
of Tibetan Buddhism. He also presents core teachings from all of these main
schools.

List of Dalai Lamas

  1. Gedun Drub, 1391-1474
  2. Gedun Gyatso, 1475-1542
  3. Sonam Gyatso, 1543-1588
  4. Yonten Gyatso, 1589-1616
  5. Lozang Gyatso, "The Great Fifth," 1617-1682
  6. Tsangyang Gyatso, 1683-1706
  7. Kelzang Gyatso, 1708-1757
  8. Jamphel Gyatso, 1758-1804
  9. Lungtok Gyatso, 1806-1815
 10. Tsultrim Gyatso, 1816-1837
 11. Khendrup Gyatso, 1838-1856
 12. Trinley Gyatso, 1856-1875
 13. Thubten Gyatso, 1876-1933
 14. Tenzin Gyatso, 1935 - present