Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dalai Lama

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 26, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dalai Lama made an impact.

The Dalai Lama is the title given to the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The title, meaning "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama," was first bestowed upon Sonam Gyatso in 1578 by Altan Khan. Sonam Gyatso became the 3rd Dalai Lama, and the title was posthumously awarded to the first two tulkus in his lineage. The Dalai Lama lineage represents a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism and, historically, held political influence.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1912: Upholding Tibetan independence

From 1912 to 1950, the 13th Dalai Lama upheld de facto Tibetan independence from China.

1912: Declaration of Independence by the 13th Dalai Lama

In 1912, following the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the 13th Dalai Lama declared that Tibet's relationship with China had ended and proclaimed Tibet's independence.

1912: Collapse of the Qing dynasty

In 1912, following the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the government in Tibet was reconstituted with the Dalai Lama presiding over a Kashag, reinvesting him with temporal power.

January 1913: Return from exile and control of foreign relations

In January 1913, after returning from exile in India and Sikkim, the 13th Dalai Lama assumed control of foreign relations and dealt directly with the Maharaja, the British Political officer in Sikkim, and the king of Nepal.

1913: Publication of the Tibetan Declaration of Independence

In 1913, the Great Thirteenth Thubten Gyatso published the Tibetan Declaration of Independence for the entirety of Tibet.

1949: Nepal references Tibet as an independent state when submitting an application to join the UN

In 1949, the Kingdom of Nepal referenced Tibet as an independent state when submitting an application to join the UN.

November 1950: Enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama

On 17 November 1950, the 14th Dalai Lama was formally enthroned during the Battle of Chamdo with the People's Republic of China.

1950: Upholding Tibetan independence

From 1912 to 1950, the 13th Dalai Lama upheld de facto Tibetan independence from China.

1951: Ratification of the Seventeen Point Agreement with China

In 1951, the 14th Dalai Lama ratified the Seventeen Point Agreement with China, which outlined the terms for Tibet's incorporation into the People's Republic of China.

1951: Pressure to accept the Seventeen Point Agreement

In 1951, the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government were pressured into accepting the Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet.

1955: Nepal established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China

In 1955, Nepal established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and recognized Tibet as a part of China.

April 1959: Issuance of statement regarding the Seventeen Point Agreement

On 18 April 1959, the Dalai Lama issued a statement that in 1951, the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government were pressured into accepting the Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet.

1959: Revocation of the Seventeen Point Agreement

In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama revoked the Seventeen Point Agreement with China.

1959: Reinstatement of the Kashag and National Assembly

Until 1959, the Kashag and the Tsongdu or National Assembly were reinstated, and, presided over by a Dalai Lama or his regent, ruled without further interruption.

1974: Rejection of Tibetan independence

In 1974, the 14th Dalai Lama rejected calls for Tibetan independence, shifting away from supporting the Tibetan independence movement.

2001: Cession of power to elected parliament of Tibetan exiles

In 2001, the 14th Dalai Lama ceded his partial power over the government to an elected parliament of Tibetan exiles.

2005: Agreement that Tibet is part of China

Since 2005, the 14th Dalai Lama has publicly agreed that Tibet is part of China and no longer supports separatism.

2014: Tibet wants to be part of China

In 2014, the Dalai Lama said that Tibet wants to be part of China but China should let Tibet preserve its culture and script.

2016: Tibet wants to be part of China

In 2016, the Dalai Lama said that Tibet wants to be part of China but China should let Tibet preserve its culture and script.

2020: Statements on Tibetan independence and China

In 2020, the Dalai Lama said he did not support Tibetan independence and hoped to visit China as a Nobel Prize winner. He stated his preference for a republic within the People's Republic of China, where ethnic minorities can live in harmony.