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3rd Dalai Lama : Sonam Gyatso : Bsod-nams-rgya-mtsho (1543-1588)
Son of Namgyal Drakpa and Pelzom Bhuti, Ranu Sicho Pelzang was born in Tolung, near Lhasa in the year 1543.
In 1546, at the age of 3, Sonam Dakpa Gyaltsen, the ruler of Tibet, and Panchen Sonam Dakpa recognized him as the reincarnation of Gedun Gyatso and was then escorted to the Drepung monastery where he took his novice vows from Sonam Dakpa at the age of 7 and assumed then the name of Sonam Gyatso.
At 22 year of age he took the Gelong vows of Bhiksu from Gelek Palsang.
In 1552, Sonam Gyatso became the abbot of Drepung monastery and in 1558, the abbot of Sera monastery.
It was during his time that the Mongolian King Altan Khan offered the title of Dalai Lama, which means Ocean of Wisdom and in return, the Dalai Lama conferred on Altan Khan the title of Brahma, the king of religion.
He died while teaching in Mongolia, in 1588.
Article information resources : Dalailama.com
