Jamphel Gyatso

Training under Ngawang Tshülthrim, Lobzang Tenpa and Tshe-mchog-gling Ye-shes-rgyal-mtshan is recorded. Guntang 03, Reb Tsa Ka Gyur Könchok Damchö Yar Pel and Palden Tenpai Nyima, 7th Panchen Lama are recorded as having studied under Jamphel Gyatso. The recorded working language is Chinese. Positions recorded include Dalai Lama.

• Name — 8th Dalai Lama, Jamphel Gyatso • Religion — Tibetan Buddhism • Title — 8th Dalai Lama • Period — 1762–1804 • Predecessor — 7th Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso • Successor — 9th Dalai Lama, Lungtok Gyatso • Born — c. 1758 • Birthplace — Thobgyal, Ü-Tsang, Tibet, • Died — 1804 • Place of death — Tibet

He was escorted to Lhasa and enthroned as the leader of the Tibetan people in the Potala Palace in 7th month of the Water Horse Year (1762) when he was five years old (four by Western reckoning). The enthronement ceremony was presided over by Demo Tulku Jamphel Yeshi, the first of a series of Regents to represent the Dalai Lamas when they were minors. The ceremony was held in the 'Beyond Mind Temple of the Second Potala'. He was the disciple of Yongzin Yeshe Gyaltsen, the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. The country continued to be ruled by regents until the Wood Dragon Year (1784) when the Regent was sent as an ambassador to China and the Dalai Lama ruled alone until 1790, when the Regent returned to help Jamphel Gyatso. In 1788 there was a conflict with Nepali wool traders leading to a skirmish with the Gurkhas. In 1790 the Gurkhas invaded southern Tibet and conquered several provinces including Nyalam and Gyirong. The city of Shigatse and the Tashilhunpo Monastery were captured and looted but the Gurkhas were driven back to Nepal in 1791 after the Qing dynasty sent troops to Tibet. A peace treaty between the Qing dynasty and Gurkhas was agreed on in 1796.

• "He was a mild and contemplative person with no great interest in temporal affairs and although he lived to be 45 [44 by Western reckoning], for most of his life he was content to let a Regent conduct the administration." He died in 1804 at the age of 47 (46 by Western reckoning).