Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the current religious seat of the Panchen Lamas, was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama Gyalwa Gendun Drup (1391-1474). The 5th Dalai Lama bequeathed to his root teacher, Lobzang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662), the monastery of Tashi Lhunpo and the title of Panchen. From that time forward the Panchen lamas have remained the head of Tashi Lhunpo.

Jeff Watt 4-2000