Origins & Early Life

The 8th Dalai Lama, Jamphel Gyatso (Tibetan: འཇམ་དཔལ་རྒྱ་མཚོ་, Wylie: Jam Dpal Rgya Mtsho) (1758–1804) was recognized as the 8th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Born in 1758 at Lhari Gang (Tob-rgyal Lha-ri Gang) in the Upper Ü-Tsang region of southwestern Tibet his father, Sonam Dhargye and mother, Phuntsok Wangmo, were originally from Kham. They were distant descendants of Dhrala Tsegyal, who was one of the major heroes of the Gesar epic. He was escorted to Lhasa and enthroned as the leader of the Tibetan people in the Potala Palace in 7th month of the Water Horse Year (1762) when he was five years old (four by Western reckoning).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The enthronement ceremony was presided over by Demo Tulku Jamphel Yeshi, the first of a series of Regents to represent the Dalai Lamas when they were minors. The ceremony was held in the 'Beyond Mind Temple of the Second Potala'. He was the disciple of Yongzin Yeshe Gyaltsen, the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. The country continued to be ruled by regents until the Wood Dragon Year (1784) when the Regent was sent as an ambassador to China and the Dalai Lama ruled alone until 1790, when the Regent returned to help Jamphel Gyatso. In 1788 there was a...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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