The Fourteen Dalai Lamas of Tibet

The tradition of the Dalai Lama actually began in the 16th century with Sonam Gyatso, the Third Dalai Lama of Tibet. It has long been believed by practitioners of the Buddhist faith that all sentient beings may achieve the enlightened state of nirvana and become buddhas. However, some compassionate beings called bodhisattvas postpone this ultimate passage, and instead choose to reincarnate so that they might continue to serve the suffering souls on earth.

All the Dalai Lamas are believed to be the reincarnation of Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. The tradition began when Mongol chieftain Altan Khan once referred to the Buddhist lama Sonam Gyatso, the Third Dalai Lama as the All-Knowing Vajra-Holder, the Dalai Lama, Ocean of Wisdom. Sonam Gyatso retained this honorary title, and posthumously declared his two predecessors, Gendun Drub (1391-1474), and Gendun Gyatso (1475-1542), the First and Second Dalai Lamas.