Tibet State & Society lecture 1.
Midterm : open essay questions
Study the two books: Authenticating Tibet, The dragon in the land of snows.
5th dalai lama Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso (1617-1682)
First lama to have secular power or Tibet and unified the Tibetan area.
He was assisted by the regent: Desi Sanggye Gyatso (1653-1705). He worked together with
the 5th to build the potala palace. There was a threat from the east, various attempts by the
Chinese to gain a foothold in Tibet.
When the 5th Dalai Lama died the potala had not been finished and Desi kept the 5th’s death
a secret for 10 years to prevent the Chinese to take the power vacuum. There is usually a
period of 10-15 years between the death of the lama and the succession by a child. This was
another reason Desi kept it hidden.
The 6th dalai lama was because of this raised and educated in secret. He was not very
suitable for the job and had more interest in women and other things.
Reting rinpoche, regent of the 14th Dalai Lama
He had political aspirations, he plotted against the government of the dalai lamas.He was
found out, he was more interested in pleasure. He was imprisoned and accused of treason
and died in prison. Maybe assassinated.
1959 14th dalai lama fled the country, lhasa uprising. The rumor of the dalai lama being
imprisoned or killed by the Chinese gained traction. People amassed before the potala
Palace, the dalai lama and his government fled into exile.He crossed the mountains into
India.
Modern protest
Tibetan protest; self immolation. Against disappearing of tibetan culture, language and
oppression. Many of these were monks, many of political prisoners are also monks or lamas.
Tibetan protest: songs
Defining what is a tibetan is not very easy.
Different tibetan languages and cultural variations, what in common is Tsampa eater.
A staple food for all tibetan.
Tibet called a plateau, extremely high elevation.
, Tibet State & Society lecture 2
Not much known about history before 7th century tibet.
Digging was not allowed because deities inhabiting the earth.
Songtsen Gampo (627-649)
The first emperor of Tibet, first proven king in tibetan history. First unifier of much of the
Tibetan plateau. He was part of local nobility and assumed to the position of king. Introduced
buddhism into Tibet, important because of up to present day buddhism is an integral part of
tibetan life, culture and identity. The second religion of Tibet is the Bon religion. Some argue
Bon religion precedes buddhism but remains unclear. He married into the royal families of
Nepal and China. This was for a political function but also indicates that Tibet at this time
was a major player in the area. Chinese princess called Wencheng. In his portraits or
sculptures Songtsen Gampo usually has a buddha head.
Tibetan empire 8th-9th century
Within 1 century the empire expanded rapidly. All trade routes around the silk road were in
Tibetan hands. Expansion all the way to present day Bangladesh.
The Jokhang temple was built during this period and has been in continuous use, important
pilgrimage destination. The two foreign princesses brought artefacts and texts that were
buddhist, and were co-responsible for the introduction of buddhism. One of their artefacts a
buddha statue is housed in the Jokhang temple. The Ramonche temple also houses a
buddha statue brought by the princesses.
Trisong Detsen (742-797)
A successor of Songtsen Gampo. In 763 he seized the Chinese capital Chang’an. He was
also a proponent of Buddhism and build the 779 samye monastery. Started major translation
projects of sanskrit buddhist texts to Tibetan.
During 786-848 occupied Dunhuang and the Silk road area. There was constantly war on
and off with the Tang dynasty until 787 when a peace treaty was signed.
- Royal palace Yumbu Lagang. Fortifications and residence.
- Samye Monastery 779, circular wall surrounding the complex, mandala shape.
Buddha resides in the center of the mandala.
Aspects of Kings
The 3 Dharma kings: songtsen gampo, trisong detsen, repalchen.
the forefathers of buddhism in tibetan culture. Big patronizers of buddhism.
Tombs of the Tibetan kings
- All in Chonggye valley in central tibet.
- Massive stone structures, included possessions and servants, animals.
Midterm : open essay questions
Study the two books: Authenticating Tibet, The dragon in the land of snows.
5th dalai lama Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso (1617-1682)
First lama to have secular power or Tibet and unified the Tibetan area.
He was assisted by the regent: Desi Sanggye Gyatso (1653-1705). He worked together with
the 5th to build the potala palace. There was a threat from the east, various attempts by the
Chinese to gain a foothold in Tibet.
When the 5th Dalai Lama died the potala had not been finished and Desi kept the 5th’s death
a secret for 10 years to prevent the Chinese to take the power vacuum. There is usually a
period of 10-15 years between the death of the lama and the succession by a child. This was
another reason Desi kept it hidden.
The 6th dalai lama was because of this raised and educated in secret. He was not very
suitable for the job and had more interest in women and other things.
Reting rinpoche, regent of the 14th Dalai Lama
He had political aspirations, he plotted against the government of the dalai lamas.He was
found out, he was more interested in pleasure. He was imprisoned and accused of treason
and died in prison. Maybe assassinated.
1959 14th dalai lama fled the country, lhasa uprising. The rumor of the dalai lama being
imprisoned or killed by the Chinese gained traction. People amassed before the potala
Palace, the dalai lama and his government fled into exile.He crossed the mountains into
India.
Modern protest
Tibetan protest; self immolation. Against disappearing of tibetan culture, language and
oppression. Many of these were monks, many of political prisoners are also monks or lamas.
Tibetan protest: songs
Defining what is a tibetan is not very easy.
Different tibetan languages and cultural variations, what in common is Tsampa eater.
A staple food for all tibetan.
Tibet called a plateau, extremely high elevation.
, Tibet State & Society lecture 2
Not much known about history before 7th century tibet.
Digging was not allowed because deities inhabiting the earth.
Songtsen Gampo (627-649)
The first emperor of Tibet, first proven king in tibetan history. First unifier of much of the
Tibetan plateau. He was part of local nobility and assumed to the position of king. Introduced
buddhism into Tibet, important because of up to present day buddhism is an integral part of
tibetan life, culture and identity. The second religion of Tibet is the Bon religion. Some argue
Bon religion precedes buddhism but remains unclear. He married into the royal families of
Nepal and China. This was for a political function but also indicates that Tibet at this time
was a major player in the area. Chinese princess called Wencheng. In his portraits or
sculptures Songtsen Gampo usually has a buddha head.
Tibetan empire 8th-9th century
Within 1 century the empire expanded rapidly. All trade routes around the silk road were in
Tibetan hands. Expansion all the way to present day Bangladesh.
The Jokhang temple was built during this period and has been in continuous use, important
pilgrimage destination. The two foreign princesses brought artefacts and texts that were
buddhist, and were co-responsible for the introduction of buddhism. One of their artefacts a
buddha statue is housed in the Jokhang temple. The Ramonche temple also houses a
buddha statue brought by the princesses.
Trisong Detsen (742-797)
A successor of Songtsen Gampo. In 763 he seized the Chinese capital Chang’an. He was
also a proponent of Buddhism and build the 779 samye monastery. Started major translation
projects of sanskrit buddhist texts to Tibetan.
During 786-848 occupied Dunhuang and the Silk road area. There was constantly war on
and off with the Tang dynasty until 787 when a peace treaty was signed.
- Royal palace Yumbu Lagang. Fortifications and residence.
- Samye Monastery 779, circular wall surrounding the complex, mandala shape.
Buddha resides in the center of the mandala.
Aspects of Kings
The 3 Dharma kings: songtsen gampo, trisong detsen, repalchen.
the forefathers of buddhism in tibetan culture. Big patronizers of buddhism.
Tombs of the Tibetan kings
- All in Chonggye valley in central tibet.
- Massive stone structures, included possessions and servants, animals.
