The Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, both of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, are on the top of the lama hierarchy in old Tibet. They used to be the religious and administrative leaders of Tibetan people.

The title of Dalai Lama, meaning Ocean Of Wisdom, was originally conferred on Sonam Gyatso by the Mongol King Altan Khan who was converted to Tibetan Buddhism in 1578. The title was then retroactively applied to the first two. In 1653, Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty re-conferred the title on the Great Fifth when he visited the emperor and the title was set. The Dalai Lama is considered the incarnation of Chenrezi (Avalokiteshvarra), Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron deity of Tibet by Tibetan people. There have been fourteen Dalai Lamas, each one considered reincarnation of the former. The fourth is Mongol and the sixth is Menpa while the rest all Tibetans. The present Dalai Lama lives in India.

The title of Panchen, "Pan" is short for a Sanskrit, which means scholar; "chen" means great in Tibetan, so "Panchen" refers to the great master. Panchen was conferred on Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen by Qosot Mongol Gushri Khan in 1645 and was also applied retroactively to the three abbots before him. In 1713, Emperor Kangxi conferred the title of Panchen Erdeni to the fifth Panchen Lama. The Manchurian, Erdeni means treasure. The Panchen Lama is esteemed as incarnation of Amitayus, Buddha of Infinite Light. Tashilungpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Till now there have been eleven Panchen Lamas. The eleventh Panchen identified in 1995 now lives in China.

The Dalai Lamas and the Panchen Lamas have special relations. One Dalai Lama dies and the current Panchen Lama immediately leads a search for his reincarnation and guides and tutors the infant reincarnation till the new Dalai Lama is 18 to take his leadership. The same procedure occurs once a Panchen Lama dies. However conflicts happened between the two. The thirteen Dalai Lama once drove the ninth Panchen Lama out of Tibet and occupied Tsang, the traditional territory of the Panchen Lamas.

As Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama both root in the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, they bear a close relationship with each other. In fact, they bear the relationship of master and apprentice. For example, the first Dalai was the disciple of the first Panchen. According to the sutras of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai is the incarnation of Avalokitesvara or the Bodhisattva of Compassion while Panchen the Amitabha, Buddha of Infinite Light. Both of the two play significant role in Tibetans religion and politics. Theoretically speaking, the status of Amitabha is higher than Avalokitesvara, but Dalai Lama was stronger in terms of political and religious affairs. Dalai dominated the front Tibet centered by Lhasa while the rear Tibet centered by Tashihunpo Monastery was ruled by Panchen.