Since the late 1300s essentially the same reincarnated figure has controlled, taught, and guided the religion and government of Tibetan Buddhism (Gale). The Dalai Lama is believed to be the reincarnated spiritual and political icon who presides over the land of Tibet for over 14 lifetimes. His Holiness's obligation and birthright to the Buddhist people is described as "a teacher whose wisdom is as deep as the ocean" (Ganeri 28). For centuries the Dalai Lama has been one of the world's most influential leaders and teachers, passing on his wisdom to disciples around the world. The Dalai Lama's origins date back to the beginning 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 in Tibetan Buddhism” (Wangu 67) as well as the Yellow Hats (Gale) Monastery. The Gelupka or “yellow hats” founded the lineages of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama (Chiu). This group established chains of sacred schools and temples near, in and around Lhasa, such as the Jokhand (Ganeri) Temple. Tsongkhapa's successors continued untitled until the official title of Dalai Lama was first given to the third successor by Alton Khan, a Mongol leader. Both the first and second Dalai Lamas founded monasteries, one at Tashilhundpo and another 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 expanded Gelukpa rule to all of Tibet (Gale). In 1642 the Dalai Lama was placed as the political and religious leader of Tibet until 1959, when the Chinese took control of Tibet and stripped it of its political…paper…role in the world. Works Cited "Dalai Lama." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detriot: Gale, 1998. Gale Student Resources in Context. Network. .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. Network. 30 November 2011. .Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts on File, 1993. Print.Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Buddhism. New York: Facts on File, 2006. Print.