「
达赖」comes from the Mongolian word meaning 'ocean' (of wisdom), and 「
喇嘛」is the Tibetan word for a Buddhist teacher (lama). The title
达赖喇嘛 has been used since the 16th century; the current holder, Tenzin Gyatso, is the 14th Dalai Lama. The institution plays a central role in Tibetan Buddhist tradition and Tibetan national identity.
