Dali Lama?

[Amalcas]

I've heard a little about the process for choosing a new (though, under said idea, that wouldn't apply) Dali Lama(sp?). Do you know about when this last happened?
I remember getting at least two letters from the Dali Lama, requesting I come to something when I was small, so I wanted to see if it was this.

 

[Green Gaia]

My understanding is that a new Dali Lama will not be sought until after the current one dies.

 

[Amalcas]

I know. I was just wondering when the last one did die.

 

[Green Gaia]

List of Dalai Lamas
1. Gedun Drub, 1391-1474
2. Gednun Gyatso, 1475-1541
3. Sonam Gyatso, 1543-1588
4. Yonten Gyatso, 1589-1616
5. Lozang Gyatso, 1617-1682
6. Tsangyang Gyatso, 1683-1706
7. Kelzang Gyatso, 1708-1757
8. Jamphel Gyatso, 1758-1804
9. Lungtok Gyatso, 1806-1815
10. Tsultrim Gyatso, 1816-1837
11. Khendrup Gyatso, 1838-1856
12. Trinley Gyatso, 1856-1875
13. Thubten Gyatso, 1876-1933
14. Tenzin Gyatso, 1935 - present

Upon the death of the Dalai Lama, his monks institute a search for the Lama's reincarnation, or tulku, who is usually a small child. Familiarity with the possessions of the previous Dalai Lama is considered the main sign of the reincarnation. The search for the reincarnation typically requires a few years which results in a gap in the list of the Dalai Lamas. The reincarnation is then brought to a monastery to be trained by the other Lamas. The process is not always peaceful; at times rival groups of lamas each "discover" a child and claim it is the true reincarnation.

 

[Amalcas]

Thanks for the list.

 

[Doc]

Forgive me for I have just recently begun studying Buddhism. Is a Dalai Lama sort of like a pope for buddhism? The religious leader if you may?

 

[Green Gaia]

Doc, the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of one sect of Buddhism, and should not be looked upon like a Buddhist Pope. The Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The current and 14th Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso. Every other Buddhist sect in Tibet recognises the Dalai Lama as the religious and political leader of all Tibet. The Panchen Lama is second in religious status to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the head of the Gelug, but this position is held by the Ganden Tripa (Holder of the Throne of Ganden, the first monastery established by Lama Je Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelug). The Dalai Lama has been ruler of Tibet and Head of State from when the Gelugpas began to control the country (the mid-17th century until 1959, when the Dalai Lama had to flee to India).

Dalai means "Ocean" in Mongolian, and "Lama" is Tibetan for "spiritual teacher". The title refers to the extent of the lama's wisdom; it was first bestowed by the Mongolian ruler Altan Khan upon the 3rd Dalai Lama and is now applied to every incarnation in the lineage. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, whose name is Chenrezig in Tibetan, though Tenzin Gyatso denies claims of his Buddhahood.

The Tibetans name the Dalai Lama Gyawa Rinpoche meaning great protector, or Yeshe Norbu meaning the joy fulfilling jewel.

 

[Master Vigil]

He's such a cute and humble guy. Such a man I would love to have as my political leader. Wouldn't you?