The religious supremacy in Tibet

The Four Dalia Lamas before 1642 were only the religious supremacy, not the local governor of Tibet. In 1643, the 5th Dalai Lama won over the governing power of Tibet with the assistance from the Mongolian Chieftains, and the title “Dalai Lama” was first fomally granted by Emperor Shizu of Qing Dynasty, to Lobasang Gyaco as the 5th “Dalai Lama”. Similarly, there is also the title “Panchen Erdeni”, awarded to the head of the largest group of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism who was regarded as the incarnation of “Buddha of Infinite Light”.
“Ban” is Sanskrit, meaning a learned scholar. In 1645, Gushri Khan, the Mongolian chieftain of Qoshot tribe ruling Tibet at the time, entitled the 4th successor of Tsong Khapa as “Bogto”, a Mongolian title of honor for man of wisdom and prowess, and put the rear Tibet under the governing of Taishilhunpo Monastery headed by Chosgyi Gyantsen.
In 1713, Emperor Kangxi Formally approved Lonzang Yeshe as “Panchen Erdeni” and issued the Gold Album and the Gold seal. Ths establied the status of “Panchen Erdeni” in Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and Khedrupje was posthumously entitled as the 1st Banche, while Sonam Choglang as the 2nd Banchen, and Lobsang Dondrup as the 3rd Banche. Thereafter it became established that the new incarnation of “Panchen Erdeni” must be formally entitled by the central government.