Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist leader of religious officials of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of  TibetanBuddhism .The name is a combination of the Mongolian word Далай "Dalai" meaning "Ocean"and theTibetan word བླ་མ ་"Blama" (with a silent b) meaning "chief" or "high priest.

Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus and  thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others.

Dalai Lama is often thought to be the director of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa.

Origin of the Title of Dalai Lama

In 1578 the Mongol ruler AltanKhan bestowed the title Dalai Lama on Sonam Gyatso. The title was later applied retrospectively to the two predecessors in his reincarnation line, Gendun Drup and Gendun Gyatso.

Gendun Drup,1st Dalai Lama 1391-1474

The institution of the Dalai Lama has become, over the centuries, a central focus of Tibetan cultural identity; "a symbolic embodiment of the Tibetan national character." Today, the Dalai Lama and the office of the Dalai Lama have become focal points in their struggle towards independence and, more urgently, cultural survival.

The Current Dalai Lama 

 

The 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso died in 1933 and the 14th Dalai Lama was not formally enthroned until Nov 17, 1950.

Tenzin Gyatso is the current and the 14th Dalai Lama .Fearing for his life in the wake of a revolt in Tibet in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India where he has led a Govt in exile since.

Residence of Dalai Lama

Starting with the 5th Dalai Lama  and until the 14th Dalai Lama's flight into exile during 1959, the Dalai Lamas spent winters at the Potala Palace and summers at the Norbulingka Palace and park. Both are in Lhasa and approximately 3 km apart.

Potala Palace

 

Norbulingka Palace