The hero of the Tibetan epic Gling sgrung ("The Ling Tales"), the oldest parts of which may date as far back as the 800s. Gesar is conceived as the ruler of a legendary kingdom, Ling, in Eastern Tibet, and it is there that he carries out his heroic deeds.

The Gesar legend is widespread among many peoples of Asia, not least among the Mongols, who know Gesar as Geser Khan. In lamaism, Gesar is considered to be an incarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.