After the passing of Tsongkhapa in 1419, early succession of religious leaders in Tibetan Buddhism followed a system of mentorship and spiritual lineage. Over time, this evolved into the system of reincarnating living Buddhas (tulkus), giving rise to multiple lineages of reincarnated lamas. Among these, the most renowned are the reincarnation lineages of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Erdeni.
In 1653, Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty conferred the title “Dalai Lama” on the Fifth Dalai Lama, honoring him as “the Great Compassionate, Self-Existent Buddha of the Western Paradise, Holder of the Universal Buddhist Teachings under the Heavens, Vajradhara Dalai Lama.” The term “Dalai” is Mongolian for “ocean,” symbolizing the depth of wisdom, while “Lama” is a Tibetan term meaning “guru” or “spiritual teacher.” This marked the formal recognition of the Dalai Lama title by the central government, establishing the precedent that each successive Dalai Lama must be officially sanctioned by the central authorities.
In 1713, Emperor Kangxi sent an imperial envoy to Tashilhunpo Monastery to grant the title “Panchen Erdeni” to the Fifth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Yeshe. “Panchen” means “great scholar,” and “Erdeni” is the Manchu word for “treasure.” This title became the official designation for the Panchen Lama reincarnation lineage.
The process of identifying and enthroning a reincarnated living Buddha involves three primary stages: the search process, the recognition process, and the final enthronement (sitting on the throne).
In 1793, the Qing court promulgated the Twenty-Nine Regulations on the Better Governance of Tibet, which formally established procedures for the reincarnation of major lamas, including the institution of drawing lots from a Golden Urn (Golden Urn Lottery). Article One of the regulations detailed the methods for selecting reincarnated lamas—covering the search, recognition, enthronement, and appointment of spiritual teachers. It explicitly required that the reincarnations of high lamas such as the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and Hutuktu must be confirmed through the Golden Urn system, rather than being arbitrarily designated.
Over the centuries, the Golden Urn system has become an important religious ritual and historical convention within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of recognizing reincarnated lamas.
In 2007, the Regulations on the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism were issued, clarifying the guiding principles, requisite qualifications, and mandatory approval procedures for reincarnations. These regulations respect religious rituals and historical precedents, ensuring the orderly continuation of the reincarnation system across Tibet and the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai.
Share:
Do You Know About These Unique Tibetan Customs?
What Is a Lama? The Meaning, History, and Role in Tibetan Buddhism