Sonam Gyatso
Sonam Gyatso (Wyl. ...... rgya mtsho) (1543–1588) — the Third Dalai Lama.
Recognised at the age of four he was taken under the care of [Drepung Monastery]] of which he became abbot at the age of ten. His education was supervised by Sonam Trakpa.
In 1577 he was invited to meet Altan Khan of the Tumed branch of the Mongels. The Khan gave him the title of 'Dalai Lama'. 'Dalai' means 'ocean' in Mongolian which is Gyatso in Tibetan, and this has been included in the names of all the Dalai Lamas since then.
After meeting the Khan, Sonam Gyatso travelled throughout Kham, performing miracles and teaching the dharma. In 1583 he founded Kumbum Monastery at the place where Tsongkhapa had been born.
Altan Khan again invited him to Mongolia, but by the time he arrived the Khan had died. Nonetheless he continued his travels in Mongolia, teaching the dharma, until he fell ill and passed away in 1588.
During his lifetime the Gelugpas greatly increased their sphere of influence in Tibet and the spread of the buddhadharma in Mongolia, started by Sakya Pandita, was given fresh impetus.