Within the Gelug tradition, the Dalai Lama functions as its most prominent spiritual figure, yet not as the formal administrative head of the school. He is revered as an emanation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, and thus embodies the compassionate ideal that Gelug practitioners seek to cultivate. His authority is rooted in this spiritual status and in his role as a major lineage holder and teacher of central Gelug doctrines and practices, such as the stages of the path and key philosophical and tantric systems. In this sense, he serves as a unifying symbol and guide, not only for Gelug followers but for many Tibetan Buddhists more broadly.

From an institutional standpoint, the formal head of the Gelug school is the Ganden Tripa, the “Holder of the Ganden Throne.” This position is attained through scholarly achievement and monastic seniority, and it is the Ganden Tripa, together with other high Gelug hierarchs, who oversees the internal governance of Gelug monasteries and their curricula. The Dalai Lama does not automatically occupy this throne, and his role is therefore distinct from the office that manages the day-to-day affairs of the lineage. His influence, while immense, arises from spiritual authority and historical prominence rather than from holding that specific institutional title.

Historically, the Dalai Lamas came to embody both spiritual leadership within the Gelug school and temporal authority over Tibet, which gave their person a far-reaching impact on religious institutions. This dual role meant that their spiritual guidance and political leadership were deeply intertwined, shaping the fortunes of the Gelug tradition and Tibetan society alike. Although that political dimension has been relinquished, the Dalai Lama continues to function as the primary public representative and teacher of the Gelug lineage on the world stage. Through teachings, transmissions, and the articulation of doctrinal priorities, he sets a tone that resonates across the tradition, while the formal structures of leadership remain vested in the Ganden Tripa and other senior monastics.