Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsongkhapa (1357–1419). The name is a combination of the Mongolic word dalai meaning "ocean" and the Tibetan word་(bla-ma) meaning "guru, teacher, mentor". "The earliest Tibetan religion was a type of animistic tribal belief system. The elements (such as water, earth, wind, and fire) and certain mountain deities were worshipped and appeased with incense offerings. Special rock cairns strung with prayer flags would be conspicuously placed at high mountain peaks and passes to assure good fortune. The prayer flags would often be decorated with the “longta” or wind horse which was a symbol of good fortune", said the Tibetan researcher. 

14th Dalai Lama, Lhamo Dondrub (present Dalai Lama)

Source from google images

According to the researchers, there are three level of Dalai Lama, "Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the ‘Dalai Lama’".Therefore, his third commitment is to work to preserve Tibet's Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non-violence.The Dalai Lama is traditionally thought to be the rebirth in a line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence.According to Melissa, "Actually, the Dalai Lama is not technically chosen; rather, he is found. But to understand how it works, you first have to learn the basics of Tibetan Buddhism and its belief in reincarnation". 

History of Dalai Lama

Head of the dominant Dge-lugs-pa (Yellow Hat) order of Tibetan Buddhists and, until 1959, both spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet.

The first of the line was Dge-’dun-grub-pa (1391–1475), founder and abbot of Tashilhunpo monastery (central Tibet). In accordance with the belief in reincarnate lamas, which began to develop in the 14th century, his successors were conceived as his rebirths and came to be regarded as physical manifestations of the compassionate bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”), Avalokiteshvara.

The second head of the Dge-lugs-pa order, Dge-’dun-rgya-mtsho (1475–1542), became the head abbot of the ’Bras-spungs (Drepung) monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa, which thenceforward was the principal seat of the Dalai Lama. His successor, Bsod-nams-rgya-mtsho (1543–88), while on a visit to the Mongol chief Altan Khan, received from that ruler the honorific title ta-le (Anglicized as “dalai”), the Mongolian equivalent of the Tibetan rgya-mtsho, meaning “ocean” and presumably suggesting breadth and depth of wisdom. The title was subsequently applied posthumously to the abbot’s two predecessors. The Tibetans themselves call the Dalai Lama Rgyal-ba Rin-po-che (“Precious Conqueror”).

According to National Geographic, "The line of Dalai Lamas goes back to a Brahmin boy from the time that Buddha lived. The Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is always a reincarnation of his predecessor. All Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of the enlightened being Chenrezi, who chooses to be reborn to help others become enlightened. Chenrezi is the patron saint of Tibet and the Bodhisattva (enlightened being) of Compassion. The current Dalai Lama is believed to be the 74th manifestation of the Bodhisattva". Then he will be sent to the monastery.