6 hours ago
Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 23:32 IST
The title "Dalai Lama" is a combination of the Sino-Mongolian word dalai meaning "big sea" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "guru, teacher"
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama speaks via a video message. (Image: PTI)
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, will turn 90 this week. While he has ended speculation on whether he will have a successor or not after his death by reaffirming his succession plan, this is set to escalate tensions with China that has rejected it.
China has said any future heir must receive its seal of approval, adding a new chapter to Tibetan Buddhism’s decades-long struggle with the Chinese ruling Communist Party.
WHAT DOES THE DALAI LAMA MEAN?
While the Dalai Lama is the face of Buddhism to many people across the world, he is actually the head of just one tradition within Tibetan Buddhism known as the Gelug school.
According to the website of the Namgyal Monastery, the Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsongkhapa (1357-1419). The title “Dalai Lama" is a combination of the Sino-Mongolian word dalai meaning “big sea" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning “guru, teacher", suggesting breadth and depth of wisdom.
Britannica states that it became the title for the leader of the Gelukpa order in the beginning, with the third Dalai Lama who reached an agreement for mutual respect and support with Mongol chief Altan Khan, who bestowed on him that title.
Tibetans believe the Dalai Lama to be the manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, and the “one who hears the cries of the world". Avalokiteśvara is prayed to across Asia, and is known as Chenrezig in Tibet, Guanyin in China, and Kannon or Kanzeon in Japan. The line of Dalai Lamas began as a lineage of spiritual teachers, with the fifth Dalai Lama assuming political authority over Tibet.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...
Read More
News world 'Ocean, Big Sea': What Does The Word 'Dalai' In Dalai Lama Mean?
