The 1st -7th Dalai Lama History

Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama are two great leaders of Tibet Buddhism. According to Mongolian language, Dalai literally means the sea and Lama means the great master. Dalai Lama was an honorific title for the 3rd Dalai Lama – Sonam Gyatso, once conferred by the Mongolian Khan in Ming Dynasty. During the government of Shunzhi Emperor of Qing Dynasty, Losang Gyatso was conferred as the 5th Dalai Lama. Since then on, Dalai Lama has started to manage the Tibet affairs.

The 1st -7th Dalai Lama History

The 1st Dalai Lama

The 1st Dalai Lama is named Gendun Zhupa (1391-1474). He is the disciple of Tsongkhapa – the fonder of Gelug Sect of Tibet Buddhism He ordered people to build Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and took charge of the 1st abbot.

The 2nd Dalai Lama

The 2nd Dalai Lama is named Gendun Gyatso (1475-1542). He devoted his lifetime to managing Tashilhunpo Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

The 3rd Dalai Lama

The 3rd Dalai Lama is named Sonam Gyatso (1543-1588). He was the abbot of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, and ordered his man to build the Tsunk Monastery in Litang Region. Sonam Gyatso was invited by Mongolian Khan – Anda Khan to advocate Tibet Buddhism in Qinghai Province in Ming Dynasty. Afterwards, Anda Khan and Mongolian people changed to believe in Tibet Buddhism and Sonam Gyatso was highly respected by local people. Later on Anda Khan invited him to advocate Tibet Buddhism culture in Inner Mongolia. There were more and more believers in Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia.

The 4th Dalai Lama

The 4th Dalai Lama is named Yundan Gyatso (1589-1616). He was the only one Mongolian Dalai Lama in Dalai Lama history. He was the abbot of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

The 5th Dalai Lama

The 5th Dalai Lama is named Awong Losang Gyatso (1617-1682). In the late Ming Dynasty, he overthrew Kagyu Sect (White Sect) and the rule of Zangpa cooperated with the Mongolian armies of Gueshi Khan. In 1652 of Qing Dynasty, he was conferred as the 5th Dalai Lama by Shunzhi Emperor.

The 6th Dalai Lama

The 6th Dalai Lama is named Tsangyang Gyatso (1683-1706). Tsangyang Gyatso was deposed by Qing Dynasty as the great-grandson of Gueshi Khan–Lhazang Khan didn't get along with Sangye Gyatso. Sangye Gyatso was the henchmen disciple of the 5th Dalai Lama and he found Tsangyang Gyatso after the death of the 5th Dalai Lama.

The 7th Dalai Lama

The 7th Dalai Lama is named Gasang Gyatso (1708-1757). He was escorted by the Qing army to get into Lhasa city during the government of Emeperor Kangxi. In order to strengthen the rule of Tibet region, two officers have been sent to Tibet by Emperor Yongzheng in Qing Dynasty. They were ordered to manage Tibet affairs with Dalai Lama together. In the meantime, there was a king in Tibet, too. In 1749, Zhur Mote – Tibetan King conspired against but failed finally. After that, the regime of Tibetan King has been abolished. Dalai Lama and those two officers started to manage Tibet affairs together.