How Old Is The Dalai Lama

So, I was at this Tibetan monastery the other day, sipping on some butter tea - yeah, you heard me right, butter tea - and I got to chatting with one of the monks. He was telling me about the Dalai Lama, and I realized, I had no clue how old this guy was. I mean, he's been around forever, right? But how forever?

You know, it's funny. We're all so used to seeing him in those photos, with that warm smile and those twinkling eyes, that it's easy to forget he's a real person with a real birth certificate. I mean, have you ever tried to guess his age? I have. And I've been wrong every time. So, let's dive in, shall we?

Born in the 20th Century, Not the 19th

Alright, let's start with the basics. The Dalai Lama we know today, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, was born on July 6, 1935. Yes, you read that right. He's a baby boomer, not a Victorian. I know, I was surprised too. I mean, he's been around for what feels like centuries, but he's actually younger than my grandparents!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, I've seen pictures of him from the 1940s! He can't be that young!" And you're right. He was recognized as the Dalai Lama at the age of two, and he started his political career at the age of 15. But that doesn't change the fact that he was born in the 20th century, not the 19th.

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But Wait, There Were 13 Dalai Lamas Before Him!

You might be wondering, "Okay, so he's 86. But what about the other Dalai Lamas? Were they all born in the 19th century or something?" Well, no. The Dalai Lama lineage started in the 14th century, and the first Dalai Lama, Gendun Drup, was born in 1391. But here's the thing, the title "Dalai Lama" wasn't even a thing until the fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, used it in the 17th century.

So, no, the Dalai Lamas weren't all born in the 19th century. But they were all reincarnations of each other, which is a whole other can of worms. I mean, can you imagine being reincarnated 14 times? Talk about a long to-do list!

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So, How Old Is He Really?

Well, as of 2021, the Dalai Lama is 86 years old. But remember, that's just his physical age. Spiritually, he's been around for centuries. I mean, the guy's been through 14 lives, for crying out loud! That's like, what, 300 years? 400? I can't do the math. You do the math.

But seriously, folks, the Dalai Lama is a fascinating figure, and his age is just one small part of his incredible story. So, the next time you see him on TV, remember, he's not some ancient artifact. He's a real person, with a real birthday, and a real sense of humor. I mean, have you seen his Twitter? The guy's a hoot!