Lungshar
Encyclopedia
Tsipön Lungshar born Dorje Tsegyal (1880 - 1938) was a noted Tibetan
politician
who attempted unsuccessfully to become the paramount figure of the Tibetan government in the 1930s, following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama.
He came from an aristocratic family with a history of service to the 5th Dalai Lama; his father was a Major (Rupön) in the Tibetan Army and he was an Accountant of the 6th rank in the Accountant-General's Office at Lhasa
during the 13th Dalai Lama leadership. The Dalai Lama sent him to England and several European nations to supervise four Tibetan students and to act as ambassador at large for Tibet. During his stay in England, he developed an appreciation of England's system of constitutional monarchy, and became convinced that Tibet needed political reform if it were to survive in the modern world.
In 1914, at a time when the Dalai Lama was strengthening state institutions including the military, he returned to Tibet and was appointed tsipön, i.e. one of the four heads of the revenue office. He increased revenue for the state, at the expense of many aristocratic and monastic landlords, earning himself enemies among the elite in the process.
In 1929, he became commander in chief of the military, still retaining his post of tsipön as well. He further strengthened and modernized the military, but lost his military post in 1931, after he nearly provoked a war with Nepal. He remained tsipön until the Dalai Lama's death in 1933.
Lungshar was one of several parties vying for control of the government following the Dalai Lama's death. He defeated rival Kumbela by launching a campaign of suspicion that Kumbela had brought about the Dalai Lama's death. Kumbela was exiled, but Lungshar failed to gain ascendency. Lungshar was eventually outmaneuvered by the more conservative minister Trimön
. Lungshar was arrested and punished by the removal of his eyeballs. This was considered the most serious punishment short of death. No one alive had ever seen this punishment done, but members of the untouchable ragyaba class, who traditionally performed mutilation punishments, had been told by their parents how it was done.
His son, Lhalu Tsewang Dorje
, is also a noted politician.
According to some sources, during the late 1920s, Lungshar promoted the idea that another of his sons was the reborn 16th Karmapa
. The Dalai Lama and most of the officials in his government are members of the Gelug
sect, while the Karmapa is the leader of the Karma Kagyü
sect. These sources state that the Dalai Lama initially supported this claim in opposition to the supporters of the previous Karmapa, who had already recognised Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
as the new Karmapa. However, the Dalai Lama later withdrew his support of Lungshar's son and agreed to the recognition of Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who attempted unsuccessfully to become the paramount figure of the Tibetan government in the 1930s, following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama.
He came from an aristocratic family with a history of service to the 5th Dalai Lama; his father was a Major (Rupön) in the Tibetan Army and he was an Accountant of the 6th rank in the Accountant-General's Office at Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
during the 13th Dalai Lama leadership. The Dalai Lama sent him to England and several European nations to supervise four Tibetan students and to act as ambassador at large for Tibet. During his stay in England, he developed an appreciation of England's system of constitutional monarchy, and became convinced that Tibet needed political reform if it were to survive in the modern world.
In 1914, at a time when the Dalai Lama was strengthening state institutions including the military, he returned to Tibet and was appointed tsipön, i.e. one of the four heads of the revenue office. He increased revenue for the state, at the expense of many aristocratic and monastic landlords, earning himself enemies among the elite in the process.
In 1929, he became commander in chief of the military, still retaining his post of tsipön as well. He further strengthened and modernized the military, but lost his military post in 1931, after he nearly provoked a war with Nepal. He remained tsipön until the Dalai Lama's death in 1933.
Lungshar was one of several parties vying for control of the government following the Dalai Lama's death. He defeated rival Kumbela by launching a campaign of suspicion that Kumbela had brought about the Dalai Lama's death. Kumbela was exiled, but Lungshar failed to gain ascendency. Lungshar was eventually outmaneuvered by the more conservative minister Trimön
Trimön
Trimön Shap-pe born Norbhu Wangyal was a noted Tibetan conservative politician and governor and a financial secretary of Tibet . He was one of the eminent officials involved in the search and recognition of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama in 1935.-Biography:He was the second son of the late...
. Lungshar was arrested and punished by the removal of his eyeballs. This was considered the most serious punishment short of death. No one alive had ever seen this punishment done, but members of the untouchable ragyaba class, who traditionally performed mutilation punishments, had been told by their parents how it was done.
His son, Lhalu Tsewang Dorje
Lhalu Tsewang Dorje
Lhalu Tsewang Dorje , commonly known as Lhalu, Lhalu Se, or Lhalu Shape, is a Tibetan aristocrat and politician who has held a variety of positions in various Tibetan governments before and after 1951.-Early years:...
, is also a noted politician.
According to some sources, during the late 1920s, Lungshar promoted the idea that another of his sons was the reborn 16th Karmapa
Karmapa
The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyupa , itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism....
. The Dalai Lama and most of the officials in his government are members of the Gelug
Gelug
The Gelug or Gelug-pa , also known as the Yellow Hat sect, is a school of Buddhism founded by Je Tsongkhapa , a philosopher and Tibetan religious leader...
sect, while the Karmapa is the leader of the Karma Kagyü
Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu , or Kamtsang Kagyu, is probably the largest and certainly the most widely practiced lineage within the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The lineage has long-standing monasteries in Tibet, China, Russia, Mongolia, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and current...
sect. These sources state that the Dalai Lama initially supported this claim in opposition to the supporters of the previous Karmapa, who had already recognised Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
The sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...
as the new Karmapa. However, the Dalai Lama later withdrew his support of Lungshar's son and agreed to the recognition of Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.