Yonten Gyatso, the Fourth Dalai Lama, was born in 1589 in Mongolia to a distinguished family. His father, Tsultrim Choeje, was a tribal chieftain of the Chokar clan and the grandson of Altan Khan, who had conferred the title “Dalai Lama” upon Sonam Gyatso, the Third Dalai Lama.

According to the prediction of the Nechung Oracle and various auspicious signs, the abbot of Gaden Monastery recognized the young boy as the reincarnation of the Third Dalai Lama and named him Yonten Gyatso. However, his parents were initially reluctant to send him to Tibet, so he remained in Mongolia during his early years and received initial religious training from visiting Tibetan Lamas.

At the age of twelve, in 1601, Yonten Gyatso traveled to Tibet under the protection of his father and Sangya Rinchen, a former Gaden Tripa. Upon arrival, he received novice monastic vows and was formally enthroned as the Fourth Dalai Lama at the Gaden Phodrang residence in Drepung Monastery, the seat of his predecessors.

In 1614, at age 26, he received full ordination (Gelong vows) from Lobsang Choegyal, the Fourth Panchen Lama. He soon assumed the role of abbot at both Drepung and Sera monasteries, further strengthening the Gelug school’s institutional leadership.

Although his time as Dalai Lama was brief, Yonten Gyatso upheld the spiritual and political alliance between Tibet and Mongolia established by the Third Dalai Lama. His tenure was marked by ongoing religious teaching, diplomatic efforts, and navigating tensions within the Tibetan political landscape.

Yonten Gyatso passed away in 1617 at the young age of 28. Despite his short life, he played a vital role in reinforcing the foundations of the Dalai Lama institution and maintaining the influence of the Gelug tradition across Central Asia.

His legacy lives on as a bridge between the Tibetan and Mongolian peoples and as a steadfast leader who upheld the spiritual lineage during a period of transition.