Most of the people in India who are not Buddhists misinterpret who or what is Dalai Lama. For many, Dalai Lama is the name of the person who is the current spiritual leader of Tibetan people. If you have been thinking the same, you have been wrong all along! Dalai Lama is the title given to the spiritual leaders of the people of Tibet. This title was created by Altan Khan, the Prince of Shunyi, in 1578. And in fact, the name of the 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyasto and not “Dalai Lama”.
The Dalai Lama figure is very important for the Tibetan people because it has always been a symbol of unification of the state of Tibet, which represents Buddhist values and traditions. Here are all the Dalai Lamas who have till date been given this respected title:
1st Dalai Lama – Pema Dorje (1391 – 1474)
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2nd Dalai Lama – Gendun Gyasto Plazangpo (1475 – 1542)
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3rd Dalai Lama – Sonam Gyasto (1543 – 1588)
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4th Dalai Lama – Yonten Gyasto (1589 – 1617)
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5th Dalai Lama – Lobsang Gyasto (1618 – 1682)
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6th Dalai Lama – Yeshe Gyasto (1683 – 1706)
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7th Dalai Lama – Kelzang Gyasto (1707 – 1757)
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8th Dalai Lama – Jamphel Gyasto (1758 – 1804)
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9th Dalai Lama – Lungtok Gyasto (1805 – 1815)
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10th Dalai Lama – Tsultrim Gyasto (1806 – 1837)
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11th Dalai Lama – Khedrup Gyasto (1838 – 1856)
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12th Dalai Lama – Tinley Gyasto (1857 – 1875)
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13th Dalai Lama – Thubten Gyasto ( 1876 – 1933)
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14th Dalai Lama – Tenzin Gyasto (1935 – present)
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The Qianlong Emperor instituted a system of selecting the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama with the help of a lottery system that used a Golden urn with the names wrapped in clumps of barley. However, by the 1995, the Dalai Lama made it point to make the process of the selection without using the Golden Urn. The Chinese government, on the other hand, wanted it to be used, eventually resulting to the creation of the two rival Panchen Lamas: Gyaincain Norbu as chosen by the Chinese governments and Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, chosen by the Dalai Lama.
So, as you guys can interpret, ‘Dalai Lama’ is the title given to those who represent the people of Tibet. It symbolises the power which comes with the title which is why there are many conflicts between the Chinese and the People of Tibet.
