Since the late 1300s, essentially the same reincarnated figure has controlled, taught, and directed the religion and government of Tibetan Buddhism (Gale). The Dalai Lama is believed to be the reincarnated spiritual and political icon who presided over the country of Tibet for over 14 lifetimes. His Holiness' obligation to the Buddhist people and his birthright is described as "a teacher whose wisdom is as deep as the ocean" (Ganeri 28). For centuries, the Dalai Lama was one of the world's most influential leaders and teachers, imparting his wisdom to his followers around the world. The origins of the Dalai Lama date back to the establishment of the Gelukpa school, a monastery opened near Lhasa in Tibet by a man named Tsongkhapa in the 15th century (Chiu). When the Gelukpa school began in 1438, it was considered "the dominant school of Tibetan Buddhism" (Wangu 67) as well as the Yellow Hat Monastery (Gale). The Gelupka or “yellow hats” founded the lineages of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama (Chiu). This group started chains of schools and sacred temples nearby in and around Lhasa, such as the Jokhand (Ganeri) Temple. Tsongkhapa's successors continued without a title until the official title of Dalai Lama was first given to the third successor by Alton Khan, a Mongolian ruler. Both the First and Second Dalai Lamas founded monasteries, one at Tashilhundpo and the other called Drepung, founded near Lhasa. With "the use of Mongol and Manchu support, [it] helped the Dalai Lama gain power over Tibet", and eventually the 5th Dalai Lama extended Gelukpa rule to all of Tibet (Gale). In 1642, the Dalai Lama was appointed political and religious leader of Tibet until 1959, when the Chinese took Tibet and stripped it of its political role...... middle of paper ...... in the world. “Dalai Lama.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detriot: Gale, 1998. Gale Student Resources in Context. Internet. .Gach, Gary. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha, 2002. Print. Ganeri, Anita. What do we know about Buddhism? New York: P. Bedrick, 1997. Print “Lamaism in China”. Chinese culture. About.com. Internet. November 30, 2011. Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts on File, 1993. Print. Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts on File, 2006. Print.