Seven Years In Tibet

Dalai Lama is a religious title in Tibetan Buddhism, given to the supreme head of the Gelug school of Buddhism. It is believed by Tibetan Buddhists that when a Dalai Lama dies, his spirit is then reincarnated in the body of a new person. High Lamas will consult oracles and seek signs to find the new incarnation, and once they have verified the authenticity of the new incarnation, a new Dalai Lama is declared. In Seven Years in Tibet, Harrer learns that the people of Tibet refer to the Dalai Lama as “Gyalpo Rimpoche,” meaning “Precious King” (123). Harrer eventually becomes well-acquainted with the current Dalai Lama during his years in Tibet, who at that time is still a young boy.

Garpön traditionally referred to a rank of regional leader in Tibet. Harrer mentions learning about the governmental structures in Tibet soon after his arrival there, explaining how the Garpön ruled alongside the seven ranks of nobility, with all answering to the ultimate authority of the Dalai Lama. Harrer describes the system in Tibet as akin to feudalism. The power of Tibetan Garpöns has been somewhat reduced since the Chinese invasion.