The Relationship between Panchen Erdeni and Dalai Lama

The Relationship between Panchen Erdeni and Dalai Lama

The relationship between Panchen Erdeni and Dalai Lama has been connected to the Living Buddha system.

Tibetan religions were produced very early, but Tibet Buddhism was introduced by the Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty. Since then on, Tibet Buddhism has been believed by Tibetan people instead of local primitive religions. There were many different sects of Tibet Buddhism such as the Karma Kargyu Sect. Karma Kargyu Sect is also called Black Hat Sect as they usually wore black hats. The reincarnation system of Living Buddha was appeared in Karma Kargyu Sect in AD 12 Century. In AD 13 Century, the reincarnation system has been finally confirmed. The Living Buddha of Karma Kargyu Sect was named "Karmapa". There are 17 Karmapas in Tibet Buddhism history. Therefore, it has been regarded as the oldest reincarnation system with profound history.

The theory of reincarnation system of Living Buddha is similar with Buddhism culture. Buddhism insists that the metempsychosis exists to the great masters. The establishment of the reincarnation system of Living Buddha aimed at finding the leader of a monastery. Therefore, there are thousands of Living Buddha reincarnation system in Tibet Buddhism history, which the two famous ones are Dalai Lama and Panchen Erdeni (Panchen Lama). Both of Dalai Lama and Panchen Erdeni are the important leaders of Tibetan religions.

On the other hand, there is another famous Buddhism sect – Gelug Sect. Gelug Sect is also called Yellow Sect, as they usually wore yellow hats. The founder of Gelug Sect is Tsongkhapa. After the death of Tsongkhapa, his disciples succeeded to be the leaders of Gelug Sect. The most little disciple of Tsongkhapa - Gendun Zhupa built the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Tashilhunpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Shigatse and well known in Tibet region. In 1474, before Gendun Zhupa died, he claimed that he would be reincarnated. After 4 years, people found his reincarnated soul boy who was named Gendun Gyatso. Therefore, the reincarnation system of Gelug Sect was 2 centuries later than Karma Kargyu Sect. But Gelug Sect became the leader of Tibetan religions finally.

In 1542, Gendun Gyatso died and his reincarnated soul boy was found, too. The soul boy was named Sonam Gyatso. When Sonam Gyatso preached Buddhist scripture in Inner Mongolia, he was conferred the name of "Dalai Lama" by Altan Khan – the leader of the most powerful tribe in Inner Mongolia. It was the first time to be called Dalai Lama. Afterwards, Sonam Gyatso was officially confirmed as the 3rd Dalai Lama by Qing Dynasty and then the 1st Dalai Lama and the 2nd Dalai Lama have been subsequently confirmed, too. Since then on, the reincarnation system of Dalai Lama has become one of the most important and powerful reincarnation systems in Tibet region.

The 3rd Dalai Lama – Sonam Gyatso died in Mongolia and the 4th Dalai Lama appeared in Mongolia, too. The 4th Dalai Lama was the only one Mongolian Dalai Lama in Tibet history. The 4th Dalai Lama was named Yundan Gyatso. He was the descendant of Altan Khan. He was born in1589 and died in1616.

Please enjoy the following: The History between Panchen Erdeni and Dalai Lama.