Tenzin Gyatso
Born 1935 · Age 90
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug school). Born Lhamo Thondup in 1935, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama as a child, enthroned in 1940, assumed temporal power in 1950, fled to India in 1959, led the Tibetan government-in-exile, advocated for Tibet internationally, taught globally, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Taktser (Lhamo Thondup)
Born Lhamo Thondup to Choekyong Tsering and Dekyi Tsering in Taktser, Amdo (northeastern Tibet).
Recognized as incarnation of 13th Dalai Lama (tulku selection)
Identified by search teams as the reincarnation (tulku) of the 13th Dalai Lama following traditional tests and omens.
Beijing notified of three candidates; Golden Urn ceremony planned
Representatives of the Tibet Office in Beijing informed the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission that 3 candidates were found and a Golden Urn ceremony would be held.
Drafting of Method of Using Golden Urn
Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission drafted a method for using the Golden Urn in recognition of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Regent reports three candidates to central commission
Regent Jamphel Yeshe Gyaltsen informed the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission that three candidates were found; Golden Urn ceremony to be held.
Departure from Kumbum to Lhasa (began journey)
Released from Kumbum monastery, the party led the young candidate across Tibet toward Lhasa in a Muslim caravan; Lhamo Dhondup (age 4) rode in a palanquin.
Arrival in Lhasa; formal recognition
After ten weeks of travel, the child arrived in Lhasa and was officially declared the 14th Dalai Lama by the Kashag.
Family elevated to Tibetan aristocracy
His family was elevated to the highest stratum of Tibetan aristocracy and given land and serf holdings as per precedent for Dalai Lama families.
Enthronement as 14th Dalai Lama
Enthroned in Lhasa as the 14th Dalai Lama; ceremony attended by envoys (British and Chinese representatives recalled).
Met Heinrich Harrer (mentor and tutor)
At about age 11 he met Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, who became a tutor and friend; Harrer later acted as videographer and remained a friend until 2006.
Assumed full temporal (political) power of Tibet
Following the Battle of Chamdo and Chinese advances, Ganden Phodrang invested the Dalai Lama with temporal duties and he assumed political leadership at age 15.
Seventeen-Point Agreement ratified (under pressure)
A Tibetan delegation signed and the Dalai Lama's government ratified the Seventeen-Point Agreement recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Tibet; Dalai Lama later stated it was signed under pressure.
Tour of China; met Mao Zedong and other leaders
Toured China (1954–55), met Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other officials, and attended the 1st National People's Congress as a delegate; learned Chinese and socialist policies.
Photographed with Mao and Panchen Lama at Qinzheng Hall
Met Mao and the Panchen Lama at Qinzheng Hall (photo dated 11 September 1954 in sources) shortly before attending the NPC session.
Selected Vice-Chairman, NPC Standing Committee
Selected as a Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (role formally held until 1964 per sources).
Asked Nehru about political asylum during India visit
While in India for Buddha's 2500th anniversary, he asked Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru if asylum would be offered; Nehru discouraged staying to avoid provoking China.
Director, Preparatory Committee for Tibet Autonomous Region (role)
Served as Director of the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region (1956–1959) per official listings.
Ransoms and negotiations during recognition period (family held by Ma Bufang)
During the recognition process Ma Bufang detained the family; demands initially for 100,000 silver dollars, later 330,000 were reported; 300,000 silver dollars advanced by Muslim traders to secure passage (1938–39 period).
Founded Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts
Established the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in exile to preserve Tibetan performing arts traditions.
Awarded Geshe Lharampa degree (final exam passed)
Took final geshe Lharampa examination at the Jokhang during the Monlam Festival and passed with honours (reported in 1959).
Established refugee support and cultural preservation programs
Set up resettlement for ~80,000 Tibetan refugees, educational system, and re-established monasteries and nunneries to preserve Tibetan culture.
Lhasa uprising (major unrest)
Popular uprising against Chinese rule erupted in Lhasa; tensions over rumors of a planned kidnapping of the Dalai Lama escalated.
Escape from Lhasa (disguised) — began flight to India
Under cover of darkness and disguised as a soldier, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa escorted by a small party, crossing the Himalayas due to fears for his life.
Crossed into India (arrival date reported)
Reached India on 31 March 1959; arrival sparked asylum and international attention.
Reached Tezpur, Assam (refugee transit)
Reached Tezpur in Assam (reported on 18 April) while fleeing Tibet; later established provisional governance in exile.
Established Tibetan government-in-exile (Mussoorie)
Established an independent Tibetan government-in-exile in Mussoorie, India.
Government-in-exile moved to Dharamshala
Tibetan government-in-exile relocated from Mussoorie to Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, where it became the long-term seat.
Promulgated draft democratic constitution for Tibet
Promulgated a democratic constitution (based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) creating an elected parliament and administration.
Promulgated democratic constitution (ceremonial date cited)
Promulgated a draft constitution in 1963 creating democratic structures (elected parliament) for Tibetans in exile (commonly dated to 10 March 1963 events in some sources).
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies became primary university (support)
Supported the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (established earlier) which by 1967 became the primary university for Tibetans in India.
First overseas trip since exile: Japan visit (visa condition)
Visited Japan in 1967 under a visa condition that he would not criticize the PRC while in Japan.
Opened Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Opened the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala, housing over 80,000 manuscripts and becoming a major centre for Tibetology.
Met Pope Paul VI at the Vatican
Held an audience and meeting with Pope Paul VI as part of interfaith engagements.
Rejected calls for Tibetan independence
Publicly rejected calls for Tibetan independence, shifting policy toward non-separatist approaches (historical stance change).
Began increased international travel and teaching
From around 1979 began increasingly traveling internationally to give teachings, interfaith talks and advocacy worldwide.
Met Archbishop of Canterbury; interfaith talks in London
Spoke with Anglican leadership (Dr Robert Runcie) and engaged in interfaith services in London.
Taught on the Twelve Links and Dzogchen in London (Camden Town Hall)
Delivered teachings on the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising and Dzogchen at Camden Town Hall in London.
Conferred Kalachakra initiation at Bodh Gaya (1985 event)
Conferred the Kalachakra initiation at Bodh Gaya in December 1985, one of many large-scale Kalachakra events through his life.
Presented Five-Point Peace Plan (Congressional Human Rights Caucus)
Outlined a Five-Point Peace Plan for Tibet advocating a zone of peace, human rights protections and negotiations with China.
Elaborated 'Strasbourg proposal' / Middle Way Approach
At Strasbourg elaborated on the Five-Point Plan proposing a self-governing Tibet 'in association with the PRC'—the Middle Way Approach.
Published Ocean of Wisdom / Nobel materials and speeches
Authored and published works including Nobel lecture materials and other books around this period (e.g., Ocean of Wisdom included Nobel acceptance material).
Awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet and advocacy of peace.
Freedom in Exile (autobiography) published
Published his full autobiography Freedom in Exile, providing a comprehensive account of his life and exile.
Taught the Four Noble Truths in London (Network of Buddhist Organisations)
Delivered a series of lectures on the Four Noble Truths in London under invitation from multiple Buddhist organisations.
70th Birthday celebration in Dharamshala
Celebrated his 70th birthday on 6 July 2005 with roughly 10,000 Tibetan refugees, monks and foreign visitors gathering outside his residence.
GhostNet cyber-espionage revelations affected Dalai Lama office
Researchers (Munk Center, Univ. of Toronto) uncovered GhostNet, a cyber spying operation that infiltrated computers connected to the Dalai Lama's office (2009 exposure).
Shadow Network cyber-espionage revelations (stolen emails)
A second cyberspy network, Shadow Network, was discovered in 2010; stolen documents included a year's worth of the Dalai Lama's personal email.
Retired as political head of the Tibetan government-in-exile
Stepped down as political head in 2011 to allow democratically elected leadership (Central Tibetan Administration) to take over.
Awarded Templeton Prize
Received the Templeton Prize in recognition of contributions to spiritual understanding and the dialogue between science and religion.
Had conferred Kalachakra initiation 33 times (as of 2014)
As of 2014, the Dalai Lama had conferred the Kalachakra tantra initiation a total of 33 times to large international audiences.
Reduced travel; limited teaching to India and webcasts
From 2018 onwards limited international travel for health reasons, teaching mostly within India and via live webcasts to global audiences.
Spoke about Panchen Lama (Gedhun Choekyi Nyima) status
Said he had 'reliable sources' indicating the Panchen Lama he recognised (Gedhun Choekyi Nyima) was alive and receiving normal education; commented on the Chinese-recognised Panchen Lama.
Pegasus project revelations (inner circle targeted)
Revelations showed members of the Dalai Lama's inner circle were listed as potential targets of Pegasus spyware; analysis suggested selection by Indian government.
Confirmed there will be a 15th Dalai Lama after his death (succession stance)
In 2025 he confirmed he will be succeeded by a 15th Dalai Lama after his death and insisted that China should not be involved in choosing his reincarnation.
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