Within Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is regarded as the human manifestation of Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, returning life after life to guide beings on the path of awakening. This understanding places the Dalai Lama within the tulku system of recognized reincarnate teachers, forming an unbroken lineage that stretches back several centuries. As such, his very person is seen as a living symbol of compassion, a focal point through which the compassionate activity of the bodhisattva becomes accessible to ordinary practitioners.

His role is especially rooted in the Gelug tradition, often called the “Yellow Hat” school, where he is viewed as the highest lama and supreme teacher. Within this context, he functions as a primary interpreter of Buddhist doctrine, a guide for meditation and ethical conduct, and a granter of major initiations and teachings. Through this spiritual authority, he helps preserve and transmit the core teachings of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism, while also serving as a bridge between traditional Tibetan scholasticism and the needs of contemporary seekers.

Historically, the Dalai Lamas have also borne significant temporal responsibility, holding both religious and political authority over Tibet for several centuries. This dual role meant that the Dalai Lama was not only a spiritual guide but also a central figure in the administration of Tibetan society, overseeing monastic institutions and broader cultural life. Although formal political power has been relinquished, the current Dalai Lama remains a powerful symbol of Tibetan identity and continuity, especially for Tibetans living in exile.

Beyond institutional and historical functions, the Dalai Lama serves as a custodian of Tibetan culture and Dharma, working to safeguard monastic education, ritual traditions, and ethical values. His teachings emphasize compassion, nonviolence, and interreligious harmony, offering a vision of Buddhist practice that speaks to global concerns while remaining rooted in the Tibetan lineage. In this way, his role extends outward as a representative of Tibetan Buddhism to the wider world, yet inwardly remains anchored in the responsibility to nurture the spiritual life of his own community.