| Tsongkhapa's teachings, based on the original | | | | interested in women and song than study and |
| teachings of Atisha - a Buddhist scholar from Bengal | | | | meditation. |
| who was pivotal in the 11th century revival of | | | | This ineffectual Head of Tibet, a new dynasty in |
| Buddhism in Tibet - were a popular alternative to the | | | | China (Manchu Qiang) and the ever-increasing |
| politically motivated Kagyupa and Sakya orders. | | | | dissension amongst Tibet's Mongol allies, threatened |
| Tsongkhapa's followers established monasteries at | | | | once again a unified Tibet. |
| Drepung (1416) and Sera (1419), determined to | | | | A Mongol Prince named Lhabzang Khan, unhappy with |
| spread their leader's teachings. In 1445, another | | | | his nation's relationship with Tibet, appealed to the |
| monastery (Tashilhunpo) was established at Shigatse. | | | | Qing Emperor, Kang Xi, for support. His appeal was |
| This movement became known as the Gelupa order. | | | | granted and in 1705 Mongol forces invaded Lhasa. |
| The nephew of Tsongkhapa, Genden Drup - the | | | | They killed the Tibetan regent and captured the 6th |
| founder of the Tashilhunpo monastery, gave his | | | | Dalai Lama with the purpose of bringing him to the |
| followers signs that he would be reincarnated in Tibet. | | | | Emperor in Beijing. The Dalai Lama died en route, and |
| His reincarnation, Genden Gyarso, became the head | | | | a new Dalai Lama was installed in Lhasa by Lhabzang |
| of the Deprung monastery. By the time of the third | | | | Khan. Hostilities arose amongst other Mongol tribes, |
| reincarnated head of the Gelugpa order, Sonam | | | | who revered the Dalai Lama as their spiritual leader, |
| Gyatso, the Mongols began to take an interest in the | | | | and Lhabzang Khan was killed (1717) and the new |
| newly established and increasingly powerful Gelugpa | | | | Dalai Lama deposed. |
| order. | | | | Tibetans had already chosen the 7th DL a according |
| Sonam Gyatso was invited to meet with Altyn Khan | | | | to a prophecy by the 6th during his kidnapped |
| (grandson of Gengis Khan) near Kokonor. At this | | | | journey to Beijing, while he was staying at Kumbum |
| meetingthe Mongol Altyn Khan bestowed the title of | | | | monastery under 'Chinese protection'. By 1720, |
| Ta-Le (Dalai) meaning ocean and implying 'Ocean of | | | | Emperor Kang Xi sent a military expedition to Lhasa, |
| Wisdom'. Sonam Gyatso was to become the 3rd | | | | driving out the Mongols and 'liberating' Tibetans. Kang |
| Dalai Lama, following the retrospective bestowment | | | | Xi declared Tibet a protectorate of China, leading to |
| of the title on Sonam Gyatso's previous two | | | | 200 years of overlordship by the Manchus. The |
| reincarnations. | | | | Chinese brought with them the 7th Dalai Lama who |
| Following the death of the 3rd DL, his reincarnation | | | | ruled until his death in 1757. During the time of his |
| was found, being that of the great-grandson of Altyn | | | | death to the coming of age of the reincarnated DL, |
| Khan. This alliance between the Gelugpas and the | | | | the post of regent was created. Few of the Lamas |
| Mongols was seen as a threat to the Karmapa order | | | | who held this role were willing to give up control once |
| and the Tsang King. | | | | the next Dalai Lama reached majority. In the 120 |
| In 1611, the Tsang King attacked the Sera and | | | | years between the death of the 7th and the |
| Deprung monasteries causing the 4th DL to flee | | | | majority of the 13th, Dalai Lamas wielded actual |
| central Tibet. He died at age 25, in 1616. His | | | | power for only seven years. |
| reincarnation was soon discovered and brought to | | | | In 1910, with their power over Tibet teetering on |
| Lhasa, protected by Mongol troops. The Gelugpa - | | | | collapse, the Manchus invaded, causing the 13th Dalai |
| Mongol alliance was gaining strength and led to the | | | | Lama to flee Tibet into British retreat in India. 1911, |
| defeat of Tsang troops and the execution of the | | | | the Qing dynasty was finally toppled by a revolution. |
| Tsang King by the Mongols on behalf of the | | | | Revolt spread across Tibet causing mutinous rebellion |
| Gelugpas. With the backing of the Mongols, the Great | | | | amongst the Manchus and fighting between Tibetan |
| 5th Dalai Lama was to rule Tibet from east to west, | | | | and Manchu troops. By 1912, the last of the |
| and Tibet was pacified by 1656. | | | | occupying Manchu forces were escorted out of |
| The 5th Dalai Lama had become the spiritual leader | | | | Tibet, and by January 1913, the 13th Dalai Lama |
| and had sovereign rule over a unified Tibet. The | | | | returned to Lhasa. |
| beginnings of the political power of the DL is | | | | The new Chinese government sent a telegram to |
| symbolised in paintings of the 5th DL holding the | | | | him expressing regret about the oppression at the |
| Dharma Wheel (Wheel of Law). Much work was | | | | hands of the Manchu overlordship and announced |
| carried out during his reign on construction of | | | | that he would be formally returned to the rank he |
| monasteries and the construction of the home of the | | | | once held. The Dalai Lama returned a letter stating his |
| Tibetan Head of State - the grand Potala Palace. | | | | disinterest in Chinese bestowed ranks and again |
| Following the death of the 5th Dalai Lama, who | | | | assumed leadership in his country. The Dalai Lama's |
| played a tremendous role in holding together a unified | | | | reply was read as a declaration of independence by |
| Tibet, the regent of the Dalai Lama kept his death | | | | Tibetans, but the Chinese chose to ignore his |
| shrouded in secrecy. The regent announced that the | | | | response. They declared that the Dalai Lama |
| DL had entered a ten-year period of meditation. In | | | | expressed his love for the Motherland. For the |
| 1695, the secret was no longer and a 6th Dalai, a boy | | | | following thirty years, Tibet enjoyed freedom of |
| chosen by the regent, was enthroned. This choice | | | | interference from China. |
| proved to be an unfortunate one. He seemed more | | | | |