Sonam Rapten

Who is Sonam Rapten?

Sonam Rapten, also Sonam Choephel was regent in Tibet from 1642 to 1658. Soon after his nomination as a regent, he was appointed head of the Dalai Lama's household as well.

According to the 14th Dalai Lama he was the chief attendant of the 4th Dalai Lama, who discovered the incarnation of the 5th Dalai Lama.

During the youth of the 5th Dalai Lama, Rapten requested the aid of Güshi Khan, a powerful Mongol military leader, in order to end the Gelug prosecution and establish this order as the lead order of Tibet.