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Dalai Lama - Complete Biological Family Tree

Explore 7 people across 2 generations of the Dalai Lama family, built with My rOoOts.

7

People

2

Generations

2

Living

5

Passed on

1

Marriages

80 yrs

Avg. lifespan

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7 members mapped across 2 generations

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About the Dalai Lama family

Dalai Lama: Brief Overview

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the world's most respected religious figures. The title Dalai Lama means "Ocean of Wisdom" and is traditionally given to a succession of leaders believed to be reincarnations of the same compassionate spiritual master.

At a glance

Full Name
Tenzin Gyatso
Title
14th Dalai Lama
Born
July 6, 1935
Birthplace
Taktser, Amdo, Tibet
Residence
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Religion
Tibetan Buddhism
Nobel Peace Prize
1989
Political Role
Stepped down in 2011; remains spiritual leader
Read the full history

The Current Dalai Lama

The current Dalai Lama is the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, born on July 6, 1935, in northeastern Tibet. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two and formally assumed his spiritual responsibilities during childhood.

Why Is He Famous?

  • Became the 14th Dalai Lama after being identified through traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices.
  • Assumed leadership of Tibet in 1950 during increasing tensions with China.
  • Fled Tibet in 1959 after the Tibetan uprising and has lived in exile in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, ever since.
  • Awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to nonviolence, peace, and human rights.

Core Teachings

The Dalai Lama's teachings focus on:

  • Compassion and kindness toward all living beings.
  • Nonviolence as the path to resolving conflicts.
  • Mindfulness and inner peace through self-awareness.
  • Religious harmony and mutual respect among different faiths.

Global Significance

Although he stepped down from his political role in 2011, the Dalai Lama remains the foremost spiritual leader for millions of Tibetan Buddhists around the world. He continues to advocate for peace, compassion, ethical living, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and Buddhism.

Quick Facts

Summary

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the highest spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a global symbol of compassion, nonviolence, and peace. Living in exile in India since 1959, he continues to inspire millions through his teachings on kindness, mindfulness, and religious harmony.

Dalai Lama Family Photos

4 photos shared by the family

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Family Members

Showing 7 of 7 people

Passed on
πŸ‘©

Diki Tsering

Gen 1 Β· 1919 - 2002

Diki Tsering was the mother of the 14th Dalai Lama and one of the most influential figures in his early life. She was known for her kindness, resilience, and deep devotion to Tibetan Buddhism. After her son's recognition as the Dalai Lama, she traveled with him to Lhasa and became an important support throughout his childhood. She later documented her experiences in the autobiography Dalai Lama, My Son, providing valuable insights into Tibetan family life and the discovery of the Dalai Lama. Her compassion and strength continue to be celebrated by Tibetans around the world.

Gen 1View record β†’
Passed on
πŸ‘¨

Choekyong

Gen 1

Choekyong Tsering was the father of the 14th Dalai Lama and a respected farmer and horse trader from Taktser village in northeastern Tibet. Known for his strong leadership and practical wisdom, he raised his family in a traditional Tibetan Buddhist household. His family's spiritual reputation grew after his son, Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. Although Choekyong Tsering lived a simple rural life, he played an important role in supporting his son's journey to Lhasa and the responsibilities that followed. His legacy remains central to the Dalai Lama's family history.

Gen 1View record β†’
Passed on
πŸ‘¨

Gyalo Thondup

Gen 2 Β· 1928 - 2025

Gyalo Thondup was the elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and one of the most important political figures in the Tibetan exile movement. Fluent in several languages, he served as an unofficial diplomat representing Tibetan interests internationally. During the Cold War, he helped establish contacts with foreign governments and supported efforts to preserve Tibetan autonomy after China's occupation of Tibet. Throughout decades of exile, he advised the Dalai Lama on political affairs while promoting dialogue and international awareness of the Tibetan cause. His memoirs provide valuable historical accounts of Tibet's modern political struggle.

Gen 2View record β†’
Living
πŸ‘¨

Tenzin Gyatso

Gen 2 Β· b. 1935

Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the world's most respected advocates for peace, compassion, and nonviolence. Recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two, he assumed leadership during one of Tibet's most turbulent periods. Following the 1959 Tibetan uprising, he went into exile in India, where he established the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala. Awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, he has spent decades promoting interfaith harmony, human rights, education, environmental awareness, and the preservation of Tibetan culture worldwide. Known For: - 14th Dalai Lama. - Nobel Peace Prize (1989). - Tibetan spiritual leader. - Global peace advocate.

Gen 2View record β†’
Living
πŸ‘©

Jetsun Pema

Gen 2 Β· b. 1940

Jetsun Pema is the younger sister of the 14th Dalai Lama and is widely known as the Mother of Tibet for her lifelong work with Tibetan refugee children. She founded and led the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) network in India, providing education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and family support to thousands of Tibetan children living in exile. Under her leadership, TCV became one of the world's largest refugee education organizations. Jetsun Pema has received numerous international awards for humanitarian service and remains one of the most respected figures within the global Tibetan community. Known For: - Mother of Tibet. - Founder of Tibetan Children's Village. - Humanitarian leader. - Tibetan refugee education.

Gen 2View record β†’
Passed on
πŸ‘¨

Thupten Jigme Norbu

Gen 2 Β· 1922 - 2008

Thupten Jigme Norbu was the eldest brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and the recognized 6th Taktser Rinpoche, an important Tibetan Buddhist reincarnate lama. He escaped Tibet following the Chinese occupation and later settled in the United States, where he became a respected scholar, teacher, and advocate for Tibetan culture. He founded Tibetan cultural institutions and worked extensively to preserve Tibetan language, religion, and traditions in exile. Through lectures and publications, he helped introduce Tibetan Buddhism to Western audiences while supporting the Tibetan freedom movement throughout his life.

Gen 2View record β†’
Passed on
πŸ‘¨

Lobsang Samten

Gen 2 Β· 1933 - 1985

Lobsang Samten was an elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and a Tibetan Buddhist monk who spent much of his life preserving religious traditions after fleeing Tibet. Living in exile, he contributed to rebuilding Tibetan monasteries in India and supported Buddhist education among Tibetan refugee communities. He maintained close ties with the Dalai Lama and participated in efforts to safeguard Tibetan spiritual heritage. Although less publicly visible than some of his siblings, Lobsang Samten played an important role in maintaining continuity within the Tibetan monastic tradition during difficult years in exile.

Gen 2View record β†’

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Diki Tsering is Choekyong's Wife.

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  2. πŸ‘©Diki Tsering

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are in the Dalai Lama family tree?+

This family tree currently documents 7 people across 2 recorded generations.

How many generations does the Dalai Lama family tree span?+

2 generations are recorded so far, and may grow as more history is added.

How many marriages are recorded?+

1 marriage is recorded in this family.

Where is the Dalai Lama family from?+

The most commonly recorded native place is Taktser, Amdo, Tibet.

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