History of the Dalai Lamas

Let's look at the history of the Dalai Lamas.

As mentioned above, the first and the second Dalai Lamas were posthumously admitted after the third Dalai Lama, who died at 46, was conferred the honor title by the Mongolian Khan.

The 4th Dalai Lama, Yundain Gyamco, was confirmed as the reincarnated soul boy of the late 3rd Dalai Lama by Gaden Tripa (the supreme head of the Gelug lineage, whose status was the same as Tsongkapa) before the Sakyamuni statue in Ganden Monastery. And he was granted the title of "Holy Vajra Buddha" in addition to an official seal as well as Lama costume and hat by Emperor Wanli in Ming dynasty. He died at 28.

The picture shows the Gold Bum-pa which was specially made for the lot-drawing process introduced by Emperor Qianlong for Lamasery to determine the reincarnation of the late Living Buddha in 1792, or the 57th year of the reign of Emperor Qianglong. (Xinhua file Photo)

The 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyamco, was conferred the title of "the Dalai Lama" by Emperor Shunzhi, plus a golden certificate of appointment and a golden seal of authority, bearing inscription written in three languages: Manchurian, Tibetan and Han. In 1682，he passed away at 68.

Three years later, Cangyang Gyamco was selected to be the 6th Dalai Lama and Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty appointed Living Buddha Lcang-skya to officiate the sitting -in-the-bed enthronement ceremony at the Potala Palace. Cangyang Gyamco died at 25.

The 7th Dalai Lama Lobsang Gyamco was determined as the soul boy at 12 in Tar Monastery by Emperor Kangxi's 14th son Yunti on behalf of the Qing imperial court. And he was granted a golden certificate of appointment and a golden seal of authority by Emperor Kangxi, with inscription written in three languages, Manchurian, Tibetan and Han Chinese. He died at 49.

In 1761, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty approved confirmed soul boy Jambai Gyamco in the form of an edict and he ordered Grand Minister Resident of Tibet and the 6th Panchen Lama to hold the enthronement ceremony at the Potala Palace in the following year, granting a golden certificate of appointment and a golden seal of authority. The 8th Dalai Lama passed away at 46.

The fresco shows that the Emperor Dowager received the 13th Dalai Lama who came to Beijing in 1908, or the 34th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu. (Xinhua file Photo)

The 9th Dalai Lama Lhundo Gyamco was confirmed as Living Buddha without going through the procedure of "drawing lot from the golden urn (the system introduced by Emperor Qianlong for Lamasery to determine the reincarnate of the late Living Buddha)" with the approval of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing dynasty, who issued an imperial edict for this purpose. He was enthroned in the sitting-in-the-bed ceremony held by Grand Minister Resident of Tibet at the Potala Palace, but he died at the age of 10.

The 10th Dalai Lama Curchen Gyamco was determined as the soul boy with the approval of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing dynasty and went through the procedure of the drawing (of) lots presided over by Grand Minister Resident of Tibet together with the Panchen Lama. The 10th Dalai Lama died at the age of 21.

The 11th Dalai Lama came to throne after being approved imperially and going through the lot-drawing process. Emperor Daoguang dispatched a special envoy to deliver the certificate of appointment and gifts. The 11th Dalai Lama died in 1855 at 18.

In 1860, the sitting-in-the-bed ceremony was held to enthrone the 12th Dalai Lama Chenlie Gyamco after the lot-drawing procedure officiated by Grand Minister Resident of Tibet and the Hotogtu Living Buddha Razheng. Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing dynasty granted him a golden certificate of appointment and many gifts, and he died at the age of 20.

The 13th Dalai Lama was the second Dalai Lama approved as the reincarnated Living Buddha exempted from the drawing lot. Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty ordered Grand Minister of Resident in Tibet and the 8th Panchen to preside over the sitting-in-the-bed enthronement ceremony and issued an imperial edict approving Lobsang Takai Gyamco to use the golden seal of authority of the 12th Dalai Lama. The 13th Dalai Lama passed away at 58.