Tibetan History, The Origin of Dalai Lama

1. The Origins of Dalai Lama
Class : 6
Tibetan History, Chapter: 5
By Tsering Chokeyi
Teacher

2. Introduction
Over the centuries, a number of different
sects grew up in Tibet.
These sects have slightly
different rules and teachings
They all follow the words of the Lord
Buddha in their own way

3. 1.Different Buddhist Sects
Nyingmapa Kargyupa Sakyapa Gelukpa
Longchenpa Marpa Khon Konchog
Gyalpo
Tsong Khapa

4. When Buddhism was persecuted
The gentle Indian
teacher Atisha
arrived in Tibet
His followers were
called the Kadampa
He taught monks to
follow purer and more
disciplined path

5. Today, no monk in the name of
Kadampa but the ideas of it were
adopted later by the Gelukpa sect.
Some monks chose not to follow
Atisha’s teaching
Continued to practise the older
teachings of Lopon Rinpochen (Guru
Rinpochen) known as nyingmapa or
‘Old Believers’
Two disciples of Atisha
wished to do slightly
different from their master’s
teaching
Founded the
Kargyupa and the
Sakyapa’s sects.

6. Kargyupa It was founded by the great
translator called Marpa.
Milarepa
One of Marpa’s disciple was the much-
loved saint and also a great poet.
His songs and poet are still sung by
nomads and farmers.

7. Sakyapa The Sakya Monastery was
founded by a great scholar
called Khon Konchog Gyalpo
Sakyapa soon became famous for its purity and learning.
The Sakya Lamas ruled Tibet in the thirteenth and
fourteenth centuries with the support the Mongol.

8. The Kargyupa and Sakya
sects were founded in the
eleventh century
After 400 years, the largest
Buddhist sect called Gelugpa was
founded
Karmapa Kargyupa
Sakya Rinpochen Sakyapa
H.H.the DalaiLama Gelugpa

9. Gelugpa It was founded by a great religious
teacher called Tsong Khapa
Gelugpa means: “those who follow the path of
perfect virtue.
It was from this sect that the Dalai Lamas were to
come.
Tsong Khapa’s
teaching he taught purity and spirituality.
his teaching was long and hard.
told his monk followers to travel in
order to spread buddha’s word.
he also taught them to be kind and
help others.

10. Gaden Monastery
Drepung Monastery
Sera Monastery
It was the first monastery founded by
Tsong Khapa.
There he puts his ideas into practice.
In 1419: he was dead
By the time, his teaching became so
popular.
To spread his teachings two more
monasteries were founded
The three great Monasteries of Tibet

11. In commemoration of Tsong Khapa ,
thousands of lamps are still lit in Tibetan
households on the anniversary of his death.

12. 2. The First Dalai Lama
Gedun Drupa
He was one of the Tsong Khapa’s disciple
 He spread the Gelugpa teachings far and
wide across Tibet
He built the great monastery at Tashilhunpo-
‘The Mountain of Blessing’
Tashilhunpo was later become the monastery
of the Panchenlama
Gedun Drupa was passed away in 1474, at the age of eighty-four.
He whispered to his disciples that he hope to return with a new
body soon.

13. Gedun Gyatso
 born year after the death of 1st Dalai
Lama
recognised as the reincarnation of Gedun
Drupa
He showed great ability and learning
The idea of reincarnation existed
in Tibet before the time of the
Dalai Lama.
to serve and
help others

14. The reason why Dalai Lama
choose to come back to the
world
1. for the good of religion
2. for the benefit of other suffering beings
3. This is why they are known as the menifestations
of Chenresig, Lord of Compassion.

15. A practical reason for why reincarnation suited the
Gelugpa
1. Tibet was lum by the religious rivalry of the different
sects.
2. Rival monasteries come to blow which would hurt
people
3. Lamas from different sects plotted and schemed to
influence the rulers in Lhasa
4. They tried to received the most money and support
from the rulers

16. 5. It was very important that
Gelugpa should be united under a
single leader
no Gelugpa is allowed to marry, the
high lamas could not pass on the
leadership to his son like Sakya sects
The idea of reincarnation
solve this problem.
 After returning again in a new body, each Dalai Lama is
given the same reverence and loyalty as his predecessor.
Gelugpa sect grew in size and power during the life time of
Gedun Drupa

17. A year after the death of 2nd Dalai Lama,
Sonam Gyatso was born and was recognised
as the reincarnation of Gedun Gyatso.
 He was able to remember objects and
people from his previous life in very early
age.
He was the one who has to carry the
Gelugpa teachings beyong the borders of
Tibet itself.
Sonam Gyatso

18. 3. Sonam Gyatso and the Mongols
•Sonam Gyatso was Mongol’s religious teacher.
•He helped Mongol in solving border problem with China
•The Mongolian Chieftian Altan
Khan has given the name of ‘Dalai
Lama’ to the Sonam Gyatso.
•The meaning of Dalai Lama is
‘Ocean of Wisdom’.

19. Sonam Gyatso built the great monastery of Kumbum
on the spot where the Gelugpa’s founder Tsong
Khapa,was born.

20. •to be compassion
•to choose the path of truth
•rebuked not to make animal and human
sacrifice instead milk and butter were the
right offering
Teaching of Sonam Gyatso
to his Mongol followers
Sonam Gyatso was passed away in 1588 and promised to return as a
Mongol in his next life.
The year after he died, the great-grandson of Altan Khan was recognized
as the Fourth Dalai Lama, and named Yonten Gyatso.
Yonten Gyatso