4th Dalai Lama

Yönten Gyatsho (* 1589 in Mongolia, † 1617) was the fourth Dalai Lama and as a descendant of an influential Mongol royal house ( his great-grandfather was Altan Khan ) is the only non- Tibetans under the Dalai Lamas.

Life

Between Yönten Gyatsho and Lama Lobsang Chokyi Penchen Gyeltshen Trashilhünpo in the tradition of mutual religious instruction began. The acting head of the Gelugpa, Ganden Thripa suggested Yönten Gyatsho, to proceed to Trashilhünpo and to be taught by the scholar then known throughout Tibet. Finally, Lobsang Chokyi Penchen Gyeltshen he took off his monastic vows.