The Previous Incarnations of the Dalai Lama
The tradition of the Dalai Lamas claim over fifty previous incarnations prior to the 1st Dalai Lama. The individual characters can be organized into three distinct groups and are commonly reproduced in both painting and sculpture.
The [1] first group is from the list of individuals described in the text of the Kadam Legbam. The [2] second group are an assortment of miscellaneous Tibetan kings beginning from the early royal chronicles up to and including Tri Ralpachen. The [3] third group are those Tibetan teachers immediately following Dromton Gyalwa'i Jungne (1005-1064) up to the time of the designated 1st Dalai Lama, Gendun Drubpa (1391-1474). This last group includes famous teachers such as Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Chogyal Pagpa, Terton Padma Wang and Nyangral Nyima Ozer.