The 5th Dalai Lama

The 5th Dalai Lama – Brief Introduction

The 5th Dalai Lama was born in Shannan Prefecture in 1617. His name is Losang Gyatso. His father is named Dud Raodan and his mother is named Gonggar Latse. He was one of the members of Qyongpagye Family. Qyongpagye Family is a noble family under the government of Pazhu regime. The center of Pazhu regime was Shigatse. When the 5th Dalai Lama was born, his father was a little serf owner.

The 5th Dalai Lama – Lifetime

Before regarded as the reincarnated soul boy of the 4th Dalai Lama, Losang Gyatso was named Gonggar Mingyu Dogyawong Gyabo. Afterwards he was confirmed as the reincarnated soul boy by the 4th Panchen Lama and some representatives of two noble Mongolian tribes. The two noble Mongolian ordered thousands of people of army force to enter Lhasa to take part in the ceremony when Losang Gyatso was officially confirmed in Lhasa City. In the mean time, Tsangpa Khan passed away. His son Dangyong Wongpu was besieged by Mongolian army force in a mountain in Lhasa City. The 4th Panchen Lama went to mediate and saved the Tibetan soldiers. The 4th Panchen Lama got some monasteries and manors back from Dangyong Wongpu. The monasteries and the manors were once owned by Gelug Sect. At the same time, Mongolian army force negotiated with Dangyong Wongpu. Dangyong Wongpu agreed to welcome the 5th Dalai Lama to Drepung Monastery.

When Losang Gyatso was 6 years old in 1622, he was invited to Drepung Monastery with the help of the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen. In 1625, Losang Gyatso took the 4th Panchen Lama as his teacher.

When the 5th Dalai Lama was young, Tibet was under the government of Karma Kargyu Sect (Kagyu Sect – Karma Kagyu). Even though Gelug Sect became more powerful but it didn't govern the political power. Gelug Sect was strictly prohibited by local Pazhu regime.

In 1634 during Ming Dynasty, the leader of Mongolian Kar Tribe invaded into Qinghai Province and got along with Karma Kargyu Sect. He was the faithful believer of Karma Kargyu Sect. In order to promote and consolidate Gelug Sect, the 5th Dalai Lama discussed with the 4th Panchen Lama and decided to ask Gushi Khan for help. Gushi Khan was the leader of the most powerful Mongolian tribe at that time. In 1637, Gushi Khan entered to Qinghai Province and eradicated Kar Tribe. In 1638, Gushi Khan went to Lhasa and greatly welcomed by the 5th Dalai Lama. They discussed a lot with the 4th Panchen Lama and decided to pay the allegiance to Qing Dynasty. In 1639 Gushi Khan ordered his army to control the hostile forces of Gelug Sect in eastern Tibet and northern Tibet. In 1642, Gushi Khan helped to destroy the Karma Kargyu Sect regime and established a new regime of the 5th Dalai Lama. The Dipa was appointed to deal the government affairs for the Dalai Lama. The 1st Dalai Lama was Sonam Redon.

After governed the political power, the 5th Dalai Lama ordered his man to expand the Potala Palace and moved in it from Drepung Monastery. Since then on, Potala Palace has become the permanent residence of successive Dalai Lamas'.

In 1651 the 5th Dalai Lama was invited to Beijing by Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty and got back to Lhasa in 1653.