2nd Dalai Lama

Gendun Gyatsho ( born December 31, 1475 Tanak in Ngamring County, † May 23, 1542 at Drepung ) was the second Dalai Lama.

Life

The testimonials about the discovery history and childhood of Gendun Gyatsho were handed only in the 17th century by Sanggye Gyatsho, the regent of the Fifth Dalai Lama, recorded in detail in one of his works and of posterity. After that, he was the son of the famous Nyingma tantric Dorje Chang Kunga Gyeltshen and the Yogini Macig Künga Pelmo, the " Sanggye Pel " called him. Both his parents as well as the little boy was clear that he was the reincarnation of Gendun Drup.

When, after several years, the superiors of the monastery Trashilhünpo began to look for an incarnation of the late Gyelwa, they became aware of the boy and invited him and his parents to visit the monastery. The lamas of the monastery subjected Sanggye Pel a series of tests, which he passed without exception. Subsequently, he was recognized by them as the reincarnation of Gendun Gyelwa Drup, but returned at the request of parents with them first back in his hometown back. There Sanggye Pel received from his father a number of Buddhist traditions and initiations.

In its eleventh year, the boy followed the invitation to move to Trashilhünpo and to assume its responsibility as the reincarnation of Gendun Gyelwa Drup. On July 5, 1486 he was ordained as a novice and received the name " Gendun Gyatsho " under which he was to be henceforth known. This was followed by his ordination as a novice monk and numerous other initiations. After his 16 years he perfected his knowledge and his studies at Drepung Monastery. Among other things, Tsongkhapa 's writings where it was available, who founded and directed the school of Gelug Order.

After his consecration, and a period of meditation he began his teaching career and went from the year 1498 as already Gendun Drup traveling extensively in other monasteries of the Gelug Order. In 1509, he founded 150 km southeast of Lhasa at Mystic Lake Lhamo Latso near the village Metok -Tang the monastery Chökhorgyel. This was just as important as Trashilhünpo. Because the lake virtue to give oriented sign in the future, since that time, all who have the task of finding a reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a pilgrimage to this lake to get there instructions for the search.

In 1517, Gendun Gyatsho returned from his travels to Drepung and left it there for himself and his successors to build a palace. This was the fifth Dalai Lama under the name Ganden Phodrang as a seat of government.

Gendun Gyatsho led the Trülku system for all major monasteries of the Gelugpa. This prevented succession disputes in the replacement of vacant management positions in favor of the search for an incarnation.

Towards the end of his life he still had, the office of a Director's ( Tib: sde pa; Depa ) introduce so that the management of the Congregation had will no longer have to suffer from years of traveling the Gyelwa. The Depa should occupy the position of a regent as the absence representatives.

Gendun Gyatsho died in 1542. His successor, recognized as the reincarnation of Sonam Gyatsho, the Mongol ruler Altan Khan bestowed in 1578 for the first time the title " Dalai Lama ". Then, also Gendun Gyatsho was declared posthumously to the Dalai Lama.

Works

• Glenn H. Mullin: The crazy way to Tibet's royal throne. Mystical verses and visions of the Second Dalai Lama. OW Barth In jest, Frankfurt am Main 2004, ISBN 3- 502-61119 -X
• 2nd Dalai Lama. Tantric Yogas of Sister Niguma, Snow Lion Publications, 1st ed U. edition ( May 1985), ISBN 0-937938-28-9.