Correction appended, Feb. 27.

The Dalai Lama was enthroned 75 years ago on Feb. 22, 1940, at the age of 4. Since then, he's been a strong advocate for tolerance; in 1989, he won a Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy efforts for an independent Tibet. Here's a look back at his life in photos, from his young enthronement to his appearance at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

Read next: Exclusive: The Dalai Lama Talks Pot, Facebook and the Pope With TIME

Correction: The original version of this photo gallery included a picture that did not show Dalai Lama.