When was Dalai Lama born and when did they die?

Dalai Lama was born in 1935 and is still alive today.

Who was alive at the same time as Dalai Lama?

Dalai Lama's closest contemporary was James Watson, with whom they shared 91 years of overlapping lifetimes. Explore more contemporaries on Timeliner.

Dalai Lama

Q: What was Dalai Lama known for?

Dalai Lama was known for: Tibetan spiritual leader, Nobel Peace Prize. The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" given by Altan Khan. He offered it in appreciation to the Gelug school's then-leader, Sonam Gyatso, who received the title in 1578 at Yanghua Monastery. At that time, Sonam Gyatso had just given teachings to the Khan, and so the title of Dalai Lama was also given to the entire tulku lineage. Sonam Gyatso became the 3rd Dalai Lama, while the first two tulkus in the lineage, the 1st Dalai Lama and the 2nd Dalai Lama, were posthumously awarded the title.

1935 – present

Philosophy & Thought

The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" given by Altan Khan. He offered it in appreciation to the Gelug school's then-leader, Sonam Gyatso, who received the title in 1578 at Yanghua Monastery. At that time, Sonam Gyatso had just given teachings to the Khan, and so the title of Dalai Lama was also given to the entire tulku lineage. Sonam Gyatso became the 3rd Dalai Lama, while the first two tulkus in the lineage, the 1st Dalai Lama and the 2nd Dalai Lama, were posthumously awarded the title.

Dalai Lama

Contemporaries

Their World