| While most people have heard of the Dalai Lama, who | | | | (1475-1541). |
| is an important Tibetan Buddhist figure, it is also | | | | The office of Dalai Lama has not always been just a |
| important to learn about the succession of reborn Dalai | | | | spiritual one, in fact, the Dalai Lama was a part of the |
| Lamas to understand the office. | | | | country's political rule until Tibet was occupied by China |
| The Dalai Lama is considered to be the supreme head | | | | in 1949. This highly charged position led to five of the |
| of Tibetan Buddhism, and he is also known as the | | | | Dalai Lamas being killed by their Buddhist courtesans |
| "Galwa Rinpoche" (Precious Victor) of the Gelug | | | | within a 170 year period. The current Dalai Lama, who |
| Buddhist sect. All four sects of Buddhism in Tibet honor | | | | is the 14th, fled to India after the occupation of Tibet |
| the Dalai Lama as the head of the Buddhist religion in | | | | and ceded his power to an elected |
| their country, and he is often addressed as "His | | | | government-in-exile. He is still fighting for the freedom |
| Holiness" (or HH) when he is in residence in Tibet. The | | | | of Tibet. |
| Dalai Lama is believed to be one of many | | | | When a current Dalai Lama passes on, the search |
| reincarnations of the bodhisattva of compassion, | | | | starts for a new reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The |
| Avalokiteśvara. This line of reborn magistrates | | | | next in the line will be known as the 15th Dalai Lama, |
| traces back to the first Dalai Lama, born in 1391. | | | | and he will most likely be found as a small child. This |
| The succession of reborn Dalai Lamas dates back to | | | | next incarnation is known as the yangsi, and it is said |
| before the first to have this title, who was actually the | | | | that he can be found because he will show familiarity |
| third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso (he received the title | | | | with the possessions of the former Dalai Lama. This |
| in 1578). Dalai Lama translates into the words "ocean" | | | | child will then be taken to Lhasa, where he will be |
| and "guru" (from two separate languages, Mongolian | | | | trained for the office by other Lamas. |
| and Sanskrit), and is roughly accepted to mean | | | | The succession of reborn Dalai Lamas has continued |
| "spiritual teacher" in today's language. The first two | | | | for over 600 years, and will continue as long as the |
| incarnations of the Dalai Lama did not hold this title, but | | | | spirit of this religious leader is reincarnated. The office |
| they are still considered to be part of this line. They are | | | | will continue to be an important part of Tibetan |
| Genden Drub (1391-1474) and Genden Gyatso | | | | Buddhism for the foreseeable future. |