The 3rd Dalai Lama Biography

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The 3rd Dalai Lama Biography

In Ming Dynasty, Inner Mongolia region has been controlled by Wuliangha Tribe, Dada Tribe and Wala Tribe. Till the middle period of Ming Dynasty when Altan Khan of Dada Tribe throned, Dada Tribe became the most powerful one in Inner Mongolia Region. In 1559 Altan Khan and his army invaded to Qinghai Province. Ming Dynasty was weak to fight with. In 1571, Altan Khan was conferred as the Shunyi King of Qinghai Province by Ming Dynasty.

Altan Khan was influenced by Gelug Sect and became the faithful believer of Gelug Sect. At that time Sonam Gyatso was the well known great master and highly respected by the followers of Gelug Sect. He was invited by Altan Khan to Qinghai Province in 1576. Sonam Gyatso departed from Lhasa in November of 1577 and reached Qinghai Province in May next year. He has got along with Altan Khan and established a close relationship between them since then on. Altan Khan highly praised Sonam Gyatso the title of "the most intelligent Dalai Lama" and Sonam Gyatso presented the title of "the Buddhist sage" in return. Since then on, the name of Dalai Lama has been succeeded successfully. The great masters of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery have been called Dalai Lama. The last two leaders of Gelug Sect, Gendun Tsupa and Gendun Gyatso, have been subsequently confirmed as the 1st Dalai Lama and the 2nd Dalai Lama by later generations. Hence Sonam Gyatso was confirmed as the 3rd Dalai Lama.

Meanwhile, Ming Dynasty realized the influence of Sonam Gyatso to Mongolians. In 1578, Sonam Gyatso was asked to persuade Altan Khan to get back to Inner Mongolia. Sonam Gyatso discussed with Altan Khan and then accepted. Therefore, Dalai Lama established the relationship with Ming Dynasty. The great influence of Sonam Gyatso has been officially confirmed by Ming Dynasty since then on. In the meanwhile, Altan Khan got back to Inner Mongolia in 1579.

In the next few years, Sonam Gyatso preached the Buddhist scriptures in Qinghai Province and east part of Tibet. In 1583, he was invited to teach Buddhist scriptures in Tar Monastery. Later on Tar Monastery has been expanded. Tar Monastery is the birthplace of the founder of Gelug Sect – Tsongkhapa. During the period, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery asked him to get back to Lhasa but he refused.

In 1583, Altan Khan died. Sonam Gyatso was invited to go to Inner Mongolia. He did his best to mediate the war among the three tribes and held the solemn prayer ceremony for Altan Khan in Hohhot in 1586.

Sonam Gyatso advocated Buddhist scriptures in Mongolia and built a monastery there. In the meanwhile, the leader of Outer Mongolia came and learned from him. Tibetan Buddhism has been introduced into Outer Mongolia since then on.

He was highly respected by local Mongolians. Sonam Gyatso died on the way to Beijing in 1588 when he was 46 years old.