History of Dalai Lama in Timeline

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism's Gelug school. The title, meaning "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama", was bestowed upon Sonam Gyatso in 1578 by Altan Khan, solidifying his leadership within the Gelug tradition. While Sonam Gyatso was the third Dalai Lama, the title was also retroactively applied to the two previous tulkus in his lineage, thus establishing the current lineage. This recognition highlighted his spiritual authority and its importance for the followers of the Gelug school of Buddhism.

Sections (4)

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

1904: Exile due to British invasion

In 1904, the 13th Dalai Lama went into exile to escape the British invasion.

1904: Revocation of Dalai Lama title

In 1904, the Qing Government temporarily revoked Thubten Gyatso's Dalai Lama title.

1908: Qing Government Granting Title

In 1908, the Qing Government granted the title "Sincere Obedient and Praised the Freedom Buddha of the Great Goodness of the Western Paradise (诚顺赞化西天大善自在佛)" to the Dalai Lama.

1909: End of Exile due to British invasion

In 1909, the 13th Dalai Lama returned from exile after escaping the British invasion.

1910: Exile due to Chinese invasion

In 1910, the 13th Dalai Lama went into exile to escape a Chinese invasion.

1912: De facto Tibetan independence

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

1912: End of relationship with China

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

1912: End of Exile due to Chinese invasion

In 1912, the 13th Dalai Lama returned from exile after escaping a Chinese invasion.

1912: Collapse of the Qing Dynasty

In 1912, the Qing Dynasty collapsed, leading to a reconstituted government in Tibet with the Dalai Lama presiding over a Kashag of four Tibetans, reinvesting him with temporal power.

January 1913: Return from exile and control of foreign relations

In January 1913, after his return from exile in India and Sikkim, the 13th Dalai Lama assumed control of foreign relations, dealing directly with foreign officials.

1913: Tibetan Declaration of Independence

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

1933: Death of the 13th Dalai Lama

The 13th Dalai Lama died in 1933 after instituting measures to modernize Tibet, including curbing excessive demands on peasants, setting up an independent police force, abolishing the death penalty, extending secular education, and providing electricity throughout the city of Lhasa in the 1920s.

July 1935: Birth of the 14th Dalai Lama

On July 6, 1935, the 14th Dalai Lama was born on a straw mat in a cowshed to a farmer's family in a remote part of Tibet.

Others born on this day/year

February 1940: Approval to become the 14th Dalai Lama

On February 5, 1940, the Central Government approved the request to exempt Lhamo Thondup (Chinese: 拉木登珠) from the lot-drawing process to become the 14th Dalai Lama.

1949: Nepal uses Tibet independence as reference to join UN

In 1949, the Kingdom of Nepal used Tibet as one of its first references regarding its independent status when submitting an application to join the UN.

November 1950: Enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama

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

1950: End of de facto Tibetan independence

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

1951: Ratification of the Seventeen Point Agreement

In 1951, the 14th Dalai Lama ratified the Seventeen Point Agreement with China, which formally incorporated Tibet into the People's Republic of China.

1951: US offers support if Dalai Lama leaves Tibet

In 1951, the United States informed the Dalai Lama that in order to receive its assistance and support he must leave Tibet and publicly disavow "agreements concluded under duress" between Tibetan and Chinese representatives.

1955: Nepal recognizes Tibet as part 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: Statement on 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: Dalai Lama seeks refuge in India

Following the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising, the 14th Dalai Lama sought refuge in India and was allowed in by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He has since lived in exile in McLeod Ganj.

1959: Dalai Lama escapes from Lhasa

In 1959, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, escaped from Lhasa during the Tibetan diaspora and sought exile in Dharamshala, India.

1959: Revocation of the Seventeen Point Agreement

In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama revoked the Seventeen Point Agreement with China that he had previously ratified in 1951.

1959: Reinstatement of the Kashag and the Tsongdu

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.

1969: Dalai Lama on the Future of the Institution

In 1969, the 14th Dalai Lama stated that the decision to continue the institution of the Dalai Lama should be made by the Tibetan people, potentially through a future vote. He also indicated that he would not be reborn in any country controlled by the People's Republic of China. This could mean that the next Dalai Lama might come from the Tibetan cultural belt that stretches across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

1974: Rejection of Tibetan Independence

In 1974, the Dalai Lama rejected calls for Tibetan independence, shifting away from his initial support for the Tibetan independence movement.

1995: Selection of Rival Panchen Lamas

In 1995, the Dalai Lama proceeded with the selection of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama without using the Golden Urn. Simultaneously, the Chinese government insisted on using the Golden Urn and selected Gyaincain Norbu. Subsequently, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Chinese government shortly after the selection and has not been seen in public since 1995, leading to two rival Panchen Lamas.

2001: Ceding of power to elected parliament

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

In 2005, the Dalai Lama publicly agreed that Tibet is part of China and stated that he did not support separatism.

September 2007: Chinese Government's Control Over Monks

In September 2007, the Chinese government declared that all high monks, including the 15th Dalai Lama, must be approved by the government, further asserting control over Tibetan religious affairs. The Panchen Lama traditionally approves the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, providing another avenue for Chinese government influence.

2013: Popularity as a world leader

In 2013, the 14th Dalai Lama became one of the two most popular world leaders, tied with Barack Obama, according to a poll by Harris Interactive.

2014: Statement on Tibet being 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: Statement on Tibet being 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.

2018: Statements on Europe and refugees

In 2018, the Dalai Lama stated that "Europe belongs to the Europeans" and that Europe has a moral obligation to aid refugees but they should ultimately return to develop their home countries. He also made controversial remarks about a female Dalai Lama needing to be more attractive.

2019: Statements on his successor

In 2019, the Dalai Lama spoke about his successor, stating that he is likely to be reincarnated in India and warned against Chinese interference in the succession.

2020: Comments on Tibetan Independence and China

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

2021: Praise for India's religious harmony

In 2021, the Dalai Lama praised India as a role model for religious harmony in the world.

2023: Apology for controversial video

In 2023, after a video surfaced showing the Dalai Lama asking a boy for a kiss on the lips and to suck his tongue, he apologized and expressed regret for the incident.