Editing 3rd Dalai Lama (section)

==Origin of the title "Dalai Lama"==
The title "Dalai Lama" was first bestowed by [[Altan Khan]] upon Sonam Gyatso in 1578, when [[Altan Khan]] was a Chinese Prince of Shunyi during the Ming Dynasty (Wang, 顺义王) of China. The spiritual title of "Dalai Lama" was derived from the Mongolian ''Dalai-yin qan'' (or Dalaiin khan) one.{{sfn|Schwieger|2014|p=33|ps=: "Although the Mongolian word dalai is equivalent to the Tibetan word gyats+o, meaning 'ocean', and would therefore seem to refer to this component in the names of the Dalai Lamas (except for the first one), it was constructed in analogy to the older Mongolian title dalai-yin-qan, 'Ocean Qan'".}}

Since the time of [[Genghis Khan]], only people who were of his royal lineage were allowed to rule Mongolia.{{citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=December 2015}} This frustrated many would-be rulers who were not of this line.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The history of Tibet |date=2003 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |editor=Alex McKay |isbn=0-7007-1508-8 |location=London |pages=18–19 |oclc=50494840}}</ref> Altan Khan was the most destructive of these usurpers.{{citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=December 2015}} He perceived that through the Buddhist faith he could gain legitimacy by claiming to be a reincarnation of [[Kublai Khan]].<ref name=":0" />{{verify|date=August 2024}}

Altan Khan chose the Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism (founded by [[Tsongkhapa]], 1357–1419). In 1577 he invited the leader of this order, Sonam Gyatsho, to come to Mongolia and teach his people. At some point, Sonam Gyatso proclaimed Altan Khan to be the reincarnation of Kublai Khan.

In response to Sonam Gyatso's teachings, Altan Khan conferred the title of Dalai Lama on Sonam Gyatso.<ref name=":0" /> Altan Khan posthumously awarded the title to his two predecessors,<ref name=":0" /> making Sonam Gyatso the 3rd Dalai Lama.