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The abbot of Gaden monastery having discovered oracle predictions and auspicious signs at Yonten's birth, recognised him as the true reincarnation of the 3rd Dalai Lama - although, they were said to be anxious at first, for an oracle had not before presented in Mongolia.
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Yonten Gyatso was born in Mongolia to the Chokar tribal chieftain Tsultrim Choeje, who was the grandson of Altan Khan.
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50 years on, Tibetan Buddhism had spread throughout the land and the King bestowed the honored title of Dalai Lama to Sonam Gyatso, which means Ocean of Wisdom.ġ589 to 1617 | Based Drepung Monastery, Tibet During the 1570s, he was invited by the Mongolian King, Altan Khan to spread his teachings in Buddhism. Sonam Gyamtso was in fact the first Dala Lama to officially be recognised with the title. Sonam Gyatso's parents, having had many children, all of whom died, wanted to ensure no more misfortune would come their way, and fed their newborn milk from a white goat - The prosperous one saved by goat's milk. Strict in his monk vows and somewhat outspoken in contrast to his predecessor, Gendun Gyatso is remembered as one of the great builders of the times and built small monasteries and also reinstated the annual Great Prayer Festival. It is said that some of the very first words Gedun Gyatsohe spoke to his parents was that his name was Pema Dorjee, the birth name of the 1st Dalai Lama. He later became one of his disciples and because he demonstrated great loyalty and devotion to Tsongkhapa, he was gifted new robes as a sign that he would spread Buddhist teachings throughout Tibet.Ī highly respected religious figure, Gedun Drupa was a great scholar, famous for merging study and practice and wrote a number of voluminous books on his Buddhist teachings and philosophy. ".reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit and prayers."ġ391 to 1474 | Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Tibetīorn with the name Pema Dorjee, Gedun Drupa at a young age was very aware of the famous Great Tsongkhapa, founder of Gelugpa School.
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This notion has been the way for many hundreds of years, however the current 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso has stated this does not have to be so set in stone anymore. Buddhist scholars add that to find the next Dalai Lama, it also rests in the hands of the High Lamas who must wait until they see a vision or dream, as well as the Tibetan government. A person who chooses to be reborn continually, inheriting the spirits and wisdom of his previous life, is known as tulku. "During the period of the short-lived Dalai Lamas-from the Ninth to the Twelfth incarnations-the Panchen was the lama of the hour, filling the void left by the four Dalai Lamas who died in their youth.It is believed that the current Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of the previous Lama.
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Trinley Gyatso was fully enthroned as Dalai Lama on 11 March 1873 but could not stamp his full authority on Tibet because he died of a mysterious illness on 25 April 1875. Also, with missionaries threatening to enter Tibet via the Mekong and Salween Rivers, Tibetans tried to emphasize the Qing Dynasty's authority over Tibet in the 1860s. These wars were seen as efforts to colonise Tibet-something seen as unacceptable by the lamas. During his period of training as a child, Tibet banned Europeans from entering the country because of wars Britain was fighting against Sikkim and Bhutan, both of whom were controlled to a considerable degree by the lamas in Lhasa.
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He was recognised as a reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1858 and enthroned in 1860. Tibet particularly suffered from the weakening of the Qing Dynasty which had previously provided it with some support against the British Empire, which was aiming to influence Tibet as an expansion from its colonisation of India. His short life coincided with a time of major political unrest and wars among Tibet's neighbours. Trinley Gyatso (26 January 1857 – 25 April 1875), also spelled Trinle Gyatso and Thinle Gyatso, was the 12th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Template:Infobox Dalai Lama Template:Tibetan Buddhism
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