Dalai Lama Family Tree: The Story Behind Tibet's Spiritual Leader-in-Exile

Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Dhondup), born 6 July 1935 in Taktser, Amdo, Tibet, is the 14th Dalai Lama — Tibet's Buddhist spiritual leader; enthroned 1940 at age 4 as reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama; fled to India 1959 after failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule; Nobel Peace Prize 1989; Congressional Gold Medal 2007; Templeton Prize 2012; lives in exile in Dharamshala, India.

The Family's Roots: A Tibetan Farmer Family

The Dalai Lama family is a Tibetan farmer family from Taktser, Amdo (in what is now Qinghai Province, China).

His Parents

Father: Choekyong Tsering (d. 1947) — Tibetan farmer; horse trader.

Mother: Diki Tsering (d. 1981) — Tibetan farmer; "Great Mother" or "Mother of Tibet".

His Siblings

Dalai Lama is one of 16 children — 9 survived to adulthood.

Tsering Dolma (1919–1964) — eldest sister; founded Tibetan Children's Village.

Thupten Jigme Norbu (1922–2008) — elder brother; the 24th Taktser Rinpoche (recognized as reincarnation of Taktser Rinpoche); professor at Indiana University.

Gyalo Thondup, born 1928 — elder brother; Tibetan political activist.

Lobsang Samten (1933–1985) — elder brother; recognized as reincarnation but became lay person.

Tenzin Choegyal, born 1946 — younger brother; recognized as Ngari Rinpoche.

Jetsun Pema, born 1940 — younger sister; former President of Tibetan Children's Villages; portrayed her brother's mother in Seven Years in Tibet (1997).

The Dalai Lama Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Choekyong Tsering (d. 1947) — farmer.

Mother: Diki Tsering (d. 1981) — "Great Mother".

Siblings: 16 total (9 survived) — Tsering Dolma (1919–1964); Thupten Jigme Norbu (1922–2008); Gyalo Thondup (b. 1928); Lobsang Samten (1933–1985); Jetsun Pema (b. 1940); Tenzin Choegyal (b. 1946); et al.

Marital Status: Celibate Buddhist monk; no children.

Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso:

  • Born 6 July 1935, Taktser, Amdo
  • Recognized as reincarnation of 13th Dalai Lama: 1937 (identified age 2)
  • Enthroned 22 February 1940 at Potala Palace, Lhasa (age 4)
  • 1950: China invaded Tibet
  • 10 March 1959: Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule (Lhasa)
  • 17 March 1959: fled Tibet with 100,000+ Tibetans through the Himalayas
  • Arrived in India 31 March 1959; India granted asylum
  • Central Tibetan Administration (government-in-exile): established Dharamshala
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 10 December 1989
  • Congressional Gold Medal: 17 October 2007
  • Templeton Prize: 2012
  • 150+ books: on Buddhism, ethics, science-Buddhism dialogue

What the Dalai Lama Family Story Teaches Us

A Tibetan-farmer father lost in 1947. A "Great Mother" who is a Tibetan cultural icon. 16 children in the family (9 survived) — several siblings themselves recognized as reincarnate rinpoches. Celibate monk. A life that combined childhood enthronement, exile at 23, Nobel Peace Prize, and 65+ years teaching from Dharamshala.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Dalai Lama story carries the same lesson. Some careers become the exile face of an entire culture.

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