Who Is Dalai Lama ?

Who Is Dalai Lama ?

Dalai Lama trip to Arunachal Pradesh state of North East India has fuelled tension and also creates curiosity to know " Who is Dalai Lama?"

The Dalai Lama is a monk of the Gelug or"Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism. Gelug is the newest of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Je Tsongkhapa. The title 'The Dalai Lama' was created by Altan Khan in1578.

The Dalai Lama is a combination of the Mongolian word 'dalai' meaning 'ocean' and the Tibetan word 'lama' meaning 'guru, mentor, teacher'. The Tibetan word 'lama' corresponds to the better known Sanskrit word 'guru'.

The Dalai Lama is considered to be successor in a line of 'tulkus'. Tulkus are believed to be incarnations of 'Avlokitesvara', the Bodhisattva of Compassion - called Chenrezig in Tibetan.

The Dalai Lama has always been an important and influential figure of the Gelug tradition and also beyond sectarian boundaries. Since the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama his personage has always been a symbol of   unification of the state of Tibet, where he has represented Buddhist values and traditions.

There have been 14 recognized incarnations of the Dalai Lama :

1.  Gendun Drup

2.  Gendun Gyatso

3.  Sonam Gyatso

4.  Yonten Gyatso

5.  Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso

6.  Tsangyang Gyatso

7.  Kelzang Gyatso

8.  Jamphel Gyatso

9.  Lungtok Gyatso

10.Tsultrim Gyatso

11. Khendrup Gyatso

12. Trinley Gyatso

13. Thubten Gyatso

14. Tenzin Gyatso