The Dalai Lama and Panchen Erdeni are two religion leaders of Tibetan Buddhism as practiced by the Gelug Sect.
Use of the title of Dalai Lama began in 1578. The title was determined in the ruling period of the third Dalai Lama Soinam Gyamco. At that time, Altan Khan, the head of the Mongolian Tumat Mongolstribe bestowed the title of “Dalai Lama” on him when he was head of the Zhaibung Monastwey. “Dalai” in Mongolian means the “sea”; while “Lama” in Tibetan means “master”, referring to a divine and learned guru. The first two Dalai Lamas were posthumously conferred with the title. In 1653, the 5th Dalai Lama went to Beijing at the invitation of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty. The Emperor formally conferred the title of “Dalai Lama”, and awarded him a gold medallion and seal. In 1751, the Qing Dynasty ordered the 7th Dalai Lama to take charge for the better governance of Tibet. In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled into exile in India.
Use of the title of “Lama” started in 1654, when the Mongolian leader Gushri Khan, who held the real power conferred Lobsang Qoigyi Gyaicain, the fourth disciple of Zongkapa, with the title of “Lama Bokdor”. “Ban” in Sanskrit means “Pandit”, while in Chinese it means “scholar”. “Zen” in Tibetan means “Chenpo”, while in Chinese it means “great”. To sum up, it means “great scholar”. “Bokeduo” in Mongolian means wise and brave hero. Gushri Khan ordered Lobsang Gyoigyi Gyamcain to take charge of the Tashilhungpo Monastery, letting him manage some areas of Tsang. He was known as the 4th Dalai Lama (the former three Dalai Lamas were confirmed posthumously). In 1713, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty conferred Erdeni with the title of “5th Panchen”. In the Manchu language this means “treasure”. Emperor Kangxi also conferred titles, gold books and seals to the four previous Lamas, thus establishing the position in the Gelug Sect. the Panchen Erdeni lived in the Tashihungpo Monastery of Xigaze. His influence mainly was in Tsang centered on this city.