Phagmodrupa dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Phagmodrupa dynasty or Pagmodru (Wylie
: phag-mo-gru-pa, Chinese
: 帕木竹巴; IPA: /pʰɛ˦.mo˨.ʈʰu˨.pa˦/) of Tibet
was established by Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen
at the end of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty
. Tai Situ came from the monastic fief Phagmodru ("sow's ferry crossing"), which was originally founded as a hermitage in 1158 by the famous Kagyu
scholar Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
. It was situated in the Nêdong
district southeast of Lhasa
. After the death of the founder in 1170, Phagmodru evolved into a large and wealthy monastery
which was governed by members of the Lang family. One of their line was Tai Situ who became lord of the fief in 1321. He managed to defeat various local opponents at a time when the Yuan Dynasty, overlord of Tibet, was on the decline. The Sakya
regime had hitherto wielded power over Tibet on behalf of the Mongols
. However, Tai Situ superseded Sakya in the period 1354–1358, thereby recreating an autonomous Tibetan state.
in the Yarlung
Valley. Tai Situ reorganized the old Mongol-Sakya administration by dividing the territory in various dzong (rdzong), districts. He abolished Mongol laws and customs in favour of traditional Tibetan ones. The dynasty in the first place wielded power over Central Tibet (Ü
and Tsang
). They periodically dispatched formal tributes to the emperors of the Ming Dynasty
in China, and received from them the title Chanhuawang (Chinese: 闡化王, prince who expounds Buddhism
). The Ming court established a number of prefectures (都司) and counties (寨) in Central Tibet, but preferring to appoint Tibetans as rulers rather than sent officials or military commanders. Only essential matters, for instance the ownership of Sakya Monastery
, should be judged by the emperor.
(1435–1565) and Tsangpa
(1565–1642) dynasties. After 1564 their position was purely nominal, and the final incumbent was expelled from Lhasa in 1635. The last eight rulers were:
Wylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: phag-mo-gru-pa, Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 帕木竹巴; IPA: /pʰɛ˦.mo˨.ʈʰu˨.pa˦/) of Tibet
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...
was established by Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen
Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen
Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen was a key figure in Tibetan History. He was founder of the Phagmodrupa dynasty and ruler of Tibet from 1354 to 1364 or 1371....
at the end of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
. Tai Situ came from the monastic fief Phagmodru ("sow's ferry crossing"), which was originally founded as a hermitage in 1158 by the famous Kagyu
Kagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
scholar Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo [1110-1170], was one the three main disciples of Gampopa Sonam Rinchen who established the Dagpo Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism; and a disciple of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo [1092-1158] one of the founders of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism...
. It was situated in the Nêdong
Nêdong County
Nêdong County, is a county of the Shannan Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region....
district southeast of 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...
. After the death of the founder in 1170, Phagmodru evolved into a large and wealthy monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
which was governed by members of the Lang family. One of their line was Tai Situ who became lord of the fief in 1321. He managed to defeat various local opponents at a time when the Yuan Dynasty, overlord of Tibet, was on the decline. The Sakya
Sakya
The Sakya school is one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the others being the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Gelug...
regime had hitherto wielded power over Tibet on behalf of the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
. However, Tai Situ superseded Sakya in the period 1354–1358, thereby recreating an autonomous Tibetan state.
Administrative renewal
The new regime governed from their palace in NêdongNedong
Nedong may refer to:*Nêdong County, county in Tibet*Nêdong , village in Tibet...
in the Yarlung
Yarlung Valley
The Yarlung Valley is formed by the Yarlung River and refers especially to the district where it joins with the Chongye River, and broadens out into a large plain about 2 km wide, before they flow north into the Yarlung Zangbo River or Brahmaputra. It is situated in Nedong County of Lhokha...
Valley. Tai Situ reorganized the old Mongol-Sakya administration by dividing the territory in various dzong (rdzong), districts. He abolished Mongol laws and customs in favour of traditional Tibetan ones. The dynasty in the first place wielded power over Central Tibet (Ü
Ü (region)
Ü is a geographic division and a historical region in Tibet. Together with Tsang , it forms Central Tibet Ü-Tsang , which is one of the three Tibetan regions or cholka . The other two cholka are Kham and Amdo...
and Tsang
Ü-Tsang
Ü-Tsang , or Tsang-Ü, is one of the three traditional provinces of Tibet, the other two being Amdo and Kham. Geographically Ü-Tsang covered the central and western portions of the Tibetan cultural area, including the Tsang-po watershed, the western districts surrounding and extending past Mount...
). They periodically dispatched formal tributes to the emperors of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
in China, and received from them the title Chanhuawang (Chinese: 闡化王, prince who expounds Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
). The Ming court established a number of prefectures (都司) and counties (寨) in Central Tibet, but preferring to appoint Tibetans as rulers rather than sent officials or military commanders. Only essential matters, for instance the ownership of Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery, also known as dPal Sa skya or Pel Sakya is a Buddhist monastery situated 25 km southeast of a bridge which is about 127 km west of Shigatse on the road to Tingri in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.The seat of the Sakya or Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in...
, should be judged by the emperor.
Period of political stability
The first rulers were lamas who did not marry, and the succession up to 1481 went via collateral kinsmen. At first the rulers declined to take royal titles, being content with the title regent (desi, sde srid). The fifth ruler Drakpa Gyaltsen appropriated the royal title gongma (the high one, superior). From 1354 to 1435 the rulers managed to uphold a balance between the various fiefs. This period is famous for being culturally productive, and included the work of the Buddhist reformer Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect. The rulers in the first century of the dynasty were as follows:- Tai Situ Changchub GyaltsenTai Situ Changchub GyaltsenTai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen was a key figure in Tibetan History. He was founder of the Phagmodrupa dynasty and ruler of Tibet from 1354 to 1364 or 1371....
(1302–1364) - Desi Shakya GyaltsenJamyang Shakya GyaltsenJamyang Shakya Gyaltsen was a ruler of Central Tibet in 1364–1373. He was a member of the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the major Tibetan power from 1354 to 1435...
(1340–1373) nephew - Desi Drakpa ChangchubDrakpa ChangchubDrakpa Changchub was a ruler of Central Tibet in 1374–1381. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the dominating regime in Tibet between 1354 and 1435.Drakpa Changchub was the second son of Rinchen Dorje, a brother of the preceding regent Jamyang Shakya Gyaltsen. His mother was Zina...
(1356–1386) nephew - Desi Sonam DrakpaSonam DrakpaSonam Drakpa was a regent of Central Tibet who ruled in 1381-1385. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty, the leading regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435.-Tenure as abbot and regent:...
(1359–1408) brother - Gongma Drakpa GyaltsenGongma Drakpa GyaltsenGongma Drakpa Gyaltsen was a King of Tibet who ruled in 1385–1432. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty, which was the leading regime in Tibet between 1354 and 1435...
(1374–1432) cousin - Gongma Drakpa JungneDrakpa JungneDrakpa Jungne was a king of Tibet who ruled in 1432–1445. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the leading regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435, and exerted some influence until the early 17th century...
(1414–1446) nephew
Renewed political fragmentation
After a civil war 1435 members continued to be enthroned as kings, although they were always contested by other local powers, especially the RinpungpaRinpungpa
Rinpungpa was a Tibetan regime that dominated much of Western Tibet and some of Central Tibet between 1440 and 1565...
(1435–1565) and Tsangpa
Tsangpa
Tsangpa was a dynasty that dominated large parts of Tibet from 1565 to 1642. It was the last Tibetan royal dynasty to rule in own name. The regime was founded by Karma Tseten, a retainer of the prince of the Rinpungpa Dynasty and governor of Shigatse in Tsang since 1548.-Superseding the...
(1565–1642) dynasties. After 1564 their position was purely nominal, and the final incumbent was expelled from Lhasa in 1635. The last eight rulers were:
- Gongma Kunga LekpaKunga LekpaKunga Lekpa was a King of Tibet who ruled in 1448-1481. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty, which was the leading political regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435, and retained a certain political status until the early 17th century...
(1433–1483) brother - Gongma Ngagi WangpoNgagi WangpoNgagi Wangpo , also known as Chen-nga Tsenyepa , was a King of Tibet who reigned in 1481-1491...
(1439–1491) nephew - Tsokye DorjeTsokye DorjeTsokye Dorje was a regent of Tibet who ruled in 1491-1499. He belonged to the Rinpungpa family and headed the central government in Nêdong during the minority of the heir of the Phagmodrupa dynasty.-Rinpungpa ascendency:...
(?-1510) regent from the RinpungpaRinpungpaRinpungpa was a Tibetan regime that dominated much of Western Tibet and some of Central Tibet between 1440 and 1565...
line - Gongma Ngawang Tashi DrakpaNgawang Tashi DrakpaNgawang Tashi Drakpa was a king of Tibet who ruled intermittently in 1499-1564. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the dominating regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435 and maintained a degree of authority until the early 17th century...
(1488–1564) son of Gongma Ngagi Wangpo - Gongma Drowai GonpoDrowai GonpoDrowai Gonpo was a king who wielded power in parts of Central Tibet from 1524 to 1548. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which reigned over Tibet or parts of it from 1354 to the early 17th century.Drowai Gonpo was a son of the ruler Ngawang Tashi Drakpa Drowai Gonpo (aGro bai mgon po) (1508...
(1508–1548) son - Gongma Ngawang DrakpaNgawang Drakpa GyaltsenNgawang Drakpa was a king in Central Tibet who ruled from 1564 to maybe 1579. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which held power in Tibet or parts of it from 1354 to the early 17th century...
(d. 1579?) son - Kagyud Nampar GyalwaKagyud Nampar GyalwaKagyud Nampar Gyalwa was a king in Central Tibet. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which reigned in Tibet or parts of it from 1354 to the early 17th century. He was the penultimate ruler of the line.Kagyud Nampar Gyalwa was a son of the preceding ruler of the dynasty, Ngawang Drakpa Gyaltsen...
(d. c. 1600) son - Mipham Sonam Wangchuk Drakpa Namgyal PalzangMipham Sonam Wangchuk Drakpa Namgyal PalzangMipham Sonam Wangchuk Drakpa Namgyal Palzang was a king in Central Tibet...
(fl.FloruitFloruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
17th century) son
External links
- The Life and Liberation of Phagmodrupa, the Protector of Migrating Beings by Takpo Chän Nga Rinpoche