3rd Dalai Lama

Sonam Gyatsho (* 1543 in sKyid shod stod smad ment Mda ' khang gsar gong in Lhasa, † 1588) was the third Dalai Lama.

Life

Sonam Gyatsho received in 1578 as the first honorary title " Dalai Lama " by the Mongolian ruler Altan Khan, after he had enforced the Buddhist teachings in the Mongol Empire. The two predecessor Sonam Gyatshos were awarded posthumously the same title, so that Sonam Gyatsho became known as the Third Dalai Lama in history. He was also the third abbot of Drepung.