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1st Dalai Lama : Gedun Drupa : Dge-’dun-grub-pa (1391-1474)
Gedun Drupa, also known as Gendun Drup, Gendun Drupa, Gendun Drubpa, Gendun Drub or Kundun Drup is considered to be the first Dalai Lama (the reincarnation of Chenresig, the Bodhistavva of compassion).
Born in a cowshed in 1391 on Sakya - near the Tibet's Tsang region and birthnamed Pema Dorke, son of nomadic tribespeople Gonpo Dorjee and Jomo Namkha Kyi, Gedun Drupa was raised as a shepperd until the age of 7, when he was placed in the Natang monastery. In 1405, ate the age of 14 he was given his novice vows by the abbot of Narthang, Khenchen Drupa Sherab.
In 1411, by the age of 20, he recieved the name of Gedun Drupa, after taking the vows of Gelong (fully ordinated monk) from the abbot of the Narthang monastery. Being since disciple of Tsongkhapa, later his principal one.
Gedun Drupa founded the great monastery of Tashilhunpo at Shigatse in 1447, later to become the seat of the Panchen Lamas. He remained the abbot of Tashilhunpo monastery until he died while meditating in 1474 with the age of eighty-four at Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
Two centuries after his death, he was entitled as the Fisrt Dalai Lama.
Article information resources: Dalailama.com - Wikipedia.org - Rigpawiki.org - Britannica.com
