Kelzang Gyatso, 7th Dalai Lama

Kelzang Gyatso (Wylie: bskal bzang rgya mtsho) (1708–1757), also spelled Kelsang Gyatso and Kezang Gyatso, was the 7th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Kelzang Gyatso was born in Lithang of Eastern Tibet, in the present-day Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of present-day Sichuan province, and recognized as the new reincarnation thanks to a poem of the 6th Dalai Lama in which he said, "After going to Litang I would not be late in returning." Due to the tur... more

Kelzang Gyatso (Wylie: bskal bzang rgya mtsho) (1708–1757), also spelled Kelsang Gyatso and Kezang Gyatso, was the 7th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Kelzang Gyatso was born in Lithang of Eastern Tibet, in the present-day Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of present-day Sichuan province, and recognized as the new reincarnation thanks to a poem of the 6th Dalai Lama in which he said, "After going to Litang I would not be late in returning." Due to the turbulent political situation, the new Dalai Lama could not be taken to Lhasa immediately, and he was taken instead to Kumbum Monastery, where he was ordained by Ngawang Lobsang Tenpai Gyaltsen. While still a boy, Kelzang Gyatso demonstrated himself a prodigy of profound wisdom. Kelzang Gyatso became famous for his ability to spontaneously compose verse. Inspired by a sambhogakaya vision of the poet-monk Tsongkhapa, Kelzang Gyatso (whilst a youth), travelled to central Tibet where he gave a sermon before thousands of people. The Dzungars invaded... less