According to his mother's account,the Dalai Lama was born just before sunrise, attended by auspicious signs and omens indicating he was the reincarnation of a prominent holy man. His birth chart likewise shows many signs of a spiritual life, but primarily by the positions of Jupiter  and Saturn  and their harmonious links to the Sun.

Saturn, the planet symbolizing authority, is found in the 9th house of religion, and is given mystical tendencies by being in otherworldly Pisces . Saturn's position translates into the easy assumption of religious authority by being in a favorable 120-degree angle or trine to the Sun. The Sun is also trine Jupiter, the planet naturally associated with religion, which in turn is trine to Saturn. Together, these three planets create what astrologers call a Grand Trine .

Pluto is conjunct the Moon's South Node. Pluto resides in the First House of self-determination and gives an instinctual drive for a special or unusual mission in life. Pluto is modified by being in the sign of Cancer, which is associated with the home, or for a political leader, the nation.

The Moon  represents one's instinctive responses to daily life. The Dalai Lama was born with the Moon in the modest and service-oriented sign of Virgo.Neptune with the Moon also symbolizes the orphan or abandoned one. Over 40 years in exile make this an essential theme of his life.Restrictive Saturn opposes the Moon-Neptune conjunction from the Ninth House.