The 13th Dalai Lama – Thupten Gyatso (1876–1933).
The Thirteenth Dalai Lama – Thupten Gyatso (1876–1933) – Early Life and Rise to Leadership
The 13th Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso, was born in 1876, the Fire Mouse Year, in Langdun in Dhakpo, Lokha (Southern Tibet) to humble peasant parents – Kunga Rinchen and Lobsang Dolma.
In 1877, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 12th Dalai Lama through prophetic visions of the State Oracle Nechung and auspicious signs at his birthplace. Soon after, he was escorted to Lhasa. In 1878 the Eighth Panchen Lama, Tenpai Wangchuk, performed the hair-cutting ceremony, bestowing upon him the name Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal.
He was enthroned at the Potala Palace in 1879 and began his monastic education. At age six, in 1882, he was ordained as a novice monk (Getsul) by Regent Tatsak Rinpoche Ngawang Palden Yeshi. In 1895, he received full ordination (Gelong) from his tutor, Phurchok Ngawang Jampa Rinpoche, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. On 27 September 1895, he formally assumed full spiritual and political authority over Tibet.
Nechung Monastery, Lhasa – State Oracle’s residence. In 1877, Thupten Gyatso was recognized as the reincarnation of the 12th Dalai Lama based on prophetic visions from Nechung and signs at his birthplace.
Photograph taken in Lhasa by Charles Bell on 14 October 1921 – the earliest known image of the 13th Dalai Lama.
The 13th Dalai Lama was formally enthroned at the Potala Palace in 1879. Located on Marpori (Red Hill), the Potala has served as the winter residence of Dalai Lamas since its construction was initiated by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645.
On 27 September 1895, he officially assumed spiritual and political leadership.
