Birth of Sonam Gyatso
Sonam Gyatso, later known as the third Dalai Lama, is born.
Role range: 1543-1588
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Sonam Gyatso Biography and Timeline
Follow Sonam Gyatso through 5 dated historical records for Tibet.
Sonam Gyatso, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
5Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1543–1588Years on this page
1543
Birth of Sonam Gyatso
Is born at Tolung near Lhasa in 1543.
Role range: 1543-1588
Third Dalai Lama Born
Later becomes the first person formally granted the title Dalai Lama.
Role range: 1543-1588
1580
Gelug Expansion in Mongolia
Sonam Gyatso promotes Gelug Buddhism and establishes monasteries among Mongol communities.
Role range: 1543-1588
1588
Death of Sonam Gyatso
Sonam Gyatso dies while continuing his religious mission in Mongolia.
Role range: 1543-1588
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.