Upon the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, visions and signs pointed to where the next Lama might be found. In the small village of Kumbum, a search party discovered young Lhamo Thondup

Upon the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, visions and signs pointed to where the next Lama might be found. In the small village of Kumbum, a search party discovered young Lhamo Thondup (the future Tenzin Gyatso, above), who displayed familiarity with objects belonging to his predecessor.

• Upon the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, visions and signs pointed to where the next Lama might be found. In the small village of Kumbum, a search party discovered young Lhamo Thondup (the future Tenzin Gyatso, above), who displayed familiarity with objects belonging to his predecessor.

Lhamo Thondup was declared the new Dalai Lama in 1939. He was taken to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in 1940, where his name was changed to Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso and he began his spiritual education.

• Lhamo Thondup was declared the new Dalai Lama in 1939. He was taken to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in 1940, where his name was changed to Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso and he began his spiritual education.

In this photograph, the young Tenzin Gyatso poses with his mother. The Dalai Lama's parents had 16 children, 9 of whom survived. His brother Thupten Jigme Norbu is also recognized as the High Lama Taktser Rinpoche.

• In this photograph, the young Tenzin Gyatso poses with his mother. The Dalai Lama's parents had 16 children, 9 of whom survived. His brother Thupten Jigme Norbu is also recognized as the High Lama Taktser Rinpoche.

During the 1950s, the new Communist government of China gradually took control of Tibet. Their refusal to respect the sanctity and authority of the Dalai Lama led to a resistance which was crushed by the Chinese army, forcing Tenzin Gyatso and his followers to flee across the Himalayas, where this photo was taken, to India.

• During the 1950s, the new Communist government of China gradually took control of Tibet. Their refusal to respect the sanctity and authority of the Dalai Lama led to a resistance which was crushed by the Chinese army, forcing Tenzin Gyatso and his followers to flee across the Himalayas, where this photo was taken, to India.

By 1959, the Chinese assumed complete authority over Tibet. In this photograph, Chinese soldiers block the border with India, part of a failed effort to stop the Dalai Lama's escape.

• By 1959, the Chinese assumed complete authority over Tibet. In this photograph, Chinese soldiers block the border with India, part of a failed effort to stop the Dalai Lama's escape.

China strongly protested President Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama.

• China strongly protested President Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama.

According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the President "stated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People's Republic of China." China has strenuously objected to the meeting.

• According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the President "stated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People's Republic of China." China has strenuously objected to the meeting.