Lozang Gyatso, 5th Dalai Lama

Infobox Monarch
name =Lobsang Gyatso
title =5th Dalai Lama of Tibet


caption =
reign =1618-1682
coronation =
othertitles =
native_lang1 =Tibetan
native_lang1_name1=བློ་བཟང་རྒྱ་མཚོ་
native_lang2 =Wylie translit.
native_lang2_name1=blo bzang rgya mtsho
native_lang3 =Pronunciation
native_lang3_name1=IPA| [lɔsaŋ catsʰɔ] (IPA)
native_lang4 =transcription (PRC)
native_lang4_name1=Losang Gyaco
native_lang5 =THDL
native_lang5_name1=Losang Gyatsho
native_lang6 =other transcriptions
native_lang6_name1=Lobsang Gyatso,
Lobzang Gyatso,
Lopsang Gyatso,
Lozang Gyatso
full name =
predecessor =Yonten Gyatso, 4th Dalai Lama
successor =Tsangyang Gyatso, 6th Dalai Lama
suc-type =
heir =
queen =
consort =
spouse 1 =
spouse 2 =
spouse 3 =
spouse 4 =
spouse 5 =
spouse 6 =
issue =
royal house =Dalai Lama
dynasty =
royal anthem =
father =
mother =
date of birth =1617
place of birth =Tibet
date of death =1682
place of death =
date of burial =
place of burial =|

Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama (1617 – 1682), was a political and religious leader in seventeenth-century Tibet. He was the first Dalai Lama to wield effective political power over central Tibet. He is frequently referred to as the "Great Fifth Dalai Lama".

Birth, family and childhood

Lobsang Gyatso was born in 1617 in Tsang to a family with traditional ties to the Sakya and Nyingma orders. ["The Dalai Lamas of Tibet", p. 38. Thubten Samphel and Tendar. Roli & Janssen, New Delhi. (2004). ISBN 81-7436-085-9.] His famous noble Zahor family had held their seat since the 14th century at Tagtse castle, the former stronghold of the Tibetan kings. His father, Dudul Rabten, was arrested in 1618 for being involved in a plot against the royal government of the king of Tsang at almost the same time the Gelug had secretly chosen his son as the reincarnation of Yonten Gyatso, the 4th Dalai Lama. In the list of candidates for reincarnation of the fourth Dalai Lama, Yonten Gyatso, there had also been Drakpa Gyaltsen (1619-1656), due to a manipulation carried out by his father Namsey Norbu , as some say [ [http://antishugden.com/component/content/article/34-history/58-origin-of-dholgyal-worship Anti-Shugden Page] ] . Dudul Rabten escaped and tried to reach eastern Tibet but was rearrested and never saw his son again before he died in 1626 at Samdruptse, the king of Tsang's castle in Shigatse. Lobsang Gyatso's family were all ordered to live at the court at Samdruptse, but his mother, fearing the king, returned with her son to her family's home, Narkatse castle, in Yardong.Karmay, Samten G. (2005). "The Great Fifth", p. 1. Downloaded as a pdf file on 16th December, 2007 from: [http://www.iias.nl/nl/39/IIAS_NL39_1213.pdf] ]

tudies

The Fifth Dalai Lama completed all his training as a Gelugpa and proved to be an exceptional scholar. He also studied Nyingmapa tantric doctrines and some say he took Nyingma initiations, ["Tibet is My Country: Autobiography of Thubten Jigme Norbu, Brother of the Dalai Lama as told to Heinrich Harrer", p. 249. English translation by Edward Fitzgerald, published 1960. Reprint, with updated new chapter, (1986): Wisdom Publications, London. ISBN 0-86171-045-2.] while he is also famous for being a great practitioner of Dzogchen. [Stein, R. A. (1972). "Tibetan Civilization", pp. 171-172. Stanford University Press, Stanford California. ISBN 0-8047-0806-1 (cloth); ISBN 0-8047-0901-7 (paper).] In his secret Lukhang temple on a lake behind the Potala palace in Lhasa one wall of murals illustrates a commentary by Longchenpa on a Dzogchen tantra "Rigpa Rangshar", interpreted according to the Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso's own experience of practice. The murals show characteristic visions of the secret practice of thödgal, ["The Crystal and The Way of Light. Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen". Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Compiled and Edited by John Shane, Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, NY, USA, 2000, ISBN 1-55939-135-9, pp. 82-87, 190, 191] and Trul khor.

Political Activities

The Fifth Dalai Lama is known for unifying Tibet under the control of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, after defeating the rival Kagyu school and a secular ruler, the prince of Tsang based in Shigatse.

Sonam Rapten, the Regent during the youth of Lobsang Gyatso, requested the aid of Gushi Khan, a powerful Mongol military leader.

Gushi Khan conquered Kham in 1640 bringing the Sakyas and the lords of Kham and Amdo under their control. His victory over the prince of Tsang in Shigatse in 1642, completed the unification of the country, and displacing the rival dominant school of the Karmapas. He then recognized the authority of the Fifth Dalai Lama, making him the ruler of the whole of Tibet. [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", pp. 158-161. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.] [Richardson, Hugh E. (1984). "Tibet and its History". Second Edition, Revised and Updated, p. 42. Shambhala. Boston & London. ISBN 0-87773-376-7.(pbk)]

The Mongol army in Tibet and Tibetans loyal to the Gelugpa are said to have forced monks of some Kagyu monasteries to convert to the Gelug school in 1648. [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", p. 165. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.] [Richardson, Hugh E. (1984). "Tibet and its History". Second Edition, Revised and Updated, p. 42. Shambhala. Boston & London. ISBN 0-87773-376-7.(pbk)] In 1674 he met with the 10th Karmapa, Chöying Dorje (1604-1674) at the Potala, and the reconciliation was welcomed by all after the many conflicts and difficulties.Karmay 2005, p. 2]

However, he banished the Jonang to Amdo from Central Tibet and some Bonpo monasteries were forced to convert to the Gelug school. This ban was politically motivated, although there were some philosophical disagreements.

Lobsang Gyatso proclaimed Lhasa as the capital of Tibet, and "appointed governors to the districts, chose ministers for his government, and promulgated a set of laws. The young Dalai Lama also transformed his regent into a prime minister, or, as the Tibetans called him, the Desi. Administrative authority remained with the Desi and military power with Gushri, who was entitled king of Tibet." [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", p. 161. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.]

The Dalai Lama also established warm relations with the Shunzhi Emperor of China, the second Manchu emperor of the Qing Dynasty, during a state visit to Beijing in 1652 after several earlier invitations. He set out accompanied by 3,000 men and stayed at the Yellow Palace which had been specially constructed by the Manchu emperor to house him. The emperor met the Dalai Lama in January 1653 when he was only 14 (15 by Western reckoning). The Dalai Lama stayed in Beijing for two months and was honoured with two grand imperial receptions. Some historians claim that the emperor treated the Dalai Lama as an equal [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", pp. 170-174. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.] while others dispute this claim. [Grunfeld, A. Tom, "The Making of Modern Tibet", p. 42, reads in part "Both" (Tibetan and Chinese)" accounts agree that the Dalai Lama was exempt from the traditional kowtow symbolizing total subservience; he was, however, required to kneel before the emperor."] . The Emperor subsequently granted him the honorific title "Dalai Lama, Overseer of the Buddhist Faith on Earth Under the Great Benevolent Self-subsisting Buddha of the Western Paradise." From this meeting onwards, the Dalai Lamas were considered priests to the throne by successive Qing emperors.Fact|date=December 2007

Gushri Khan maintained friendly, respectful relations with Lobsang Gyatso but died in 1655. His followers showed little interest in the administration of the country although they did appoint a Regent for a while to advance their interests in Lhasa. Gushri Khan left ten sons to follow him. Eight of them, with their tribes, settled in the strategically important Koko Nur region in Amdo and quarreled constantly over territory. The 5th Dalai Lama sent several governors in 1656 and 1659 to restore order. The Mongols were gradually Tibetanised and played an important role in extending the Gelug school's influence in Amdo.

The 5th Dalai Lama gradually assumed complete power, including that of appointing the regents. [Richardson, Hugh E. (1984). "Tibet and its History". Second Edition, Revised and Updated, p. 42. Shambhala. Boston & London. ISBN 0-87773-376-7.(pbk)]

Relations with the Fourth Panchen Lama

Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen, (1570–1662), the Fourth Panchen Lama of Tibet, and the first to be accorded this title during his lifetime, was the teacher and close ally of the 5th Dalai Lama, who gave him the monastery of Tashilhunpo as a living and declared him to be an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha (Tibetan: Ö-pa-me) and since then every incarnation of Amitabha has been the master of Tashilhunpo. ["Tibet is My Country: Autobiography of Thubten Jigme Norbu, Brother of the Dalai Lama as told to Heinrich Harrer", p. 121. First published in German in 1960. English translation by Edward Fitzgerald, published 1960. Reprint, with updated new chapter, (1986): Wisdom Publications, London. ISBN 0-86171-045-2.]

When Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen died in 1662, aged 93, the Fifth Dalai Lama immediately began the tradition of recognising the reincarnation of Panchen Rinpoche. He composed a special prayer asking his master 'to return' and ordered the monks of the great monasteries to recite it. He also reserved the title of "Panchen" (short for "Pandita chen po" or 'Great Scholar'), which had previously been a courtesy title for all learned lamas, exclusively for him, ["The Institution of the Dalai Lama", by R. N. Rahul Sheel in "The Tibet Journal", Vol. XIV No. 3. Autumn 1989, p. 32, n. 1] and this title has continued to be given to his successors and, posthumously, to his predecessors starting with Khedrup Je.

His writings

Lobsang Gyatso was a prolific writer and respected scholar, who wrote in a free style which allowed him to frankly and sometimes, ironically, express his own deepest feelings and independent interpretations. He wrote that: "When I finished the "Oral teachings of Manjushri" [in 1658] , I had to leave the ranks of the Gelug. Today [in 1674] , having completed the "Oral teachings of the Knowledge-holders", I will probably have to withdraw from the Nyingma ranks as well!" His works total 24 volumes including a detailed history of Tibet which he wrote in 1643 at the request of Gushri Khan. He has left an autobiography called Dukulai Gosang [ [http://dalailama.com/page.133.htm see Homepage of the 14TH Dalai Lama] ] .

Construction of the Potala Palace

The Fifth Dalai Lama started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645 [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", pp. 175. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.] after one of his spiritual advisers, Konchog Chophel (d. 1646), pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated as it is between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa. The Dalai Lama and his government moved into the Potrang Karpo ('White Palace') in 1649. Construction lasted until 1694, [Stein, R. A. "Tibetan Civilization" (1962). Translated into English with minor revisions by the author. 1st English edition by Faber & Faber, London (1972). Reprint: Stanford University Press (1972), p. 84.] some twelve years after his death. The Potrang Marpo ('Red Palace') was added between 1690 and 1694. [Stein, R. A. "Tibetan Civilization" (1962). Translated into English with minor revisions by the author. 1st English edition by Faber & Faber, London (1972). Reprint: Stanford University Press (1972), p. 84.]

Other activities

The Fifth Dalai Lama was the first to institutionalize the State Oracle of Nechung. [Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark. (1979). "Tibetan Oracles." "The Tibet Journal", Vo. 4, No. 2, Summer 1979, p. 52.] He also dedicated Trode Khangsar to the deity Dorje Shugden, the reincarnation of his peer Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen [ [http://www.tbrc.org/kb/tbrc-detail.xq;jsessionid=E4DCA59E6BD8BDA1C48440B5D9881A65?RID=P1729 TBRC P1729 ] ] .

He established a centralized form of government under the Gyalwa Rinpoche or Dalai Lama, divided equally between laymen and monks (both Gelugpa and Nyingmapa). This form of government, with few changes, survived up to modern times. He also instituted the Lhasa Mönlam, the New Year Festival or 'Great Prayer of Lhasa'. ["Tibet is My Country: Autobiography of Thubten Jigme Norbu, Brother of the Dalai Lama as told to Heinrich Harrer", p. 249. English translation by Edward Fitzgerald, published 1960. Reprint, with updated new chapter, (1986): Wisdom Publications, London. ISBN 0-86171-045-2.]

It was under his rule that the "rule of religion" was finally firmly established "even to the layman, to the nomad or to the farmer in his fields'. This was not only the supremacy of the Gelugpa school over Bon, or over the other Buddhist schools, but "the dedication of an entire nation to a religious principle". ["Tibet is My Country: Autobiography of Thubten Jigme Norbu, Brother of the Dalai Lama as told to Heinrich Harrer", p. 247. English translation by Edward Fitzgerald, published 1960. Reprint, with updated new chapter, (1986): Wisdom Publications, London. ISBN 0-86171-045-2.]

Lobsang Gyatso, was the first to declare Bon to be a fifth school of Buddhism in Tibet.Fact|date=July 2008 This position was restated again in 1987 by Tenzin Gyatso, the present 14th Dalai Lama, who also forbade discrimination against the Bonpo.Fact|date=July 2008 However, Tibetans still differentiate between Bon and Buddhism, calling members of the Nyingma, Shakya, Kagyu and Gelug as "Nangpa") meaning "insider" and referring to practitioners of Bon as "Bonpo." [ ["History of Buddhism: Countries, sects and politics." Amalia Rubin. http://www.helium.com/tm/456714/authors-following-basic-history] ] ["Bon Children's Home In Dolanji and Polish Aid Foundation For Children of Tibet – NYATRI." [http://nyatri.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=455&Itemid=118] ]

Death and succession

The death of the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1682 was kept hidden until 1696, by Desi Sangye Gyatso, his Prime Minister and, according to persistent rumours, his son, whom he had appointed in 1679. ["Tibet is My Country: Autobiography of Thubten Jigme Norbu, Brother of the Dalai Lama as told to Heinrich Harrer", p. 249. English translation by Edward Fitzgerald, published 1960. Reprint, with updated new chapter, (1986): Wisdom Publications, London. ISBN 0-86171-045-2.] This was done so that the Potala Palace could be finished and to prevent Tibet's neighbors taking advantage of an interregnum in the succession of the Dalai Lamas. [Laird, Thomas. (2006). "The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama", pp. 181-182. Grove Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-8021-1827-1.] Desi Sangay Gyatso also served as regent until the assumption of power by the Sixth Dalai Lama.

Quotation from Dukulai Gosang

According to Samten Gyaltsen Karmay he writes in his autobiographycquote|The official Tsawa Kachu of the Ganden Palace showed me statues and rosaries (that belonged to the Fourth Dalai Lama and other lamas), but I was unable to distinguish between them! When he left the room I heard him tell the people outside that I had successfully passed the tests. Later, when he became my tutor, he would often admonish me and say: "You must work hard, since you were unable to recognize the objects!" [cite web|url=http://www.iias.nl/nl/39/IIAS_NL39_1213.pdf|title=The Great Fifth|accessdate=20080831]

Footnotes

Further reading

* "Practice of Emptiness: The Perfection of Wisdom Chapter of the Fifth Dalai Lama's "Sacred Word of Manjushri". (1974) Translated by Jeffrey Hopkins with instruction from Geshe Rapden. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Dharamsala, H.P., India.
* Mullin, Glenn H. (2001). "The Fourteen Dalai Lamas: A Sacred Legacy of Reincarnation", pp. 184-237. Clear Light Publishers. Santa Fe, New Mexico. ISBN 1-57416-092-3.
* Karmay, Samten Gyaltsen:
**1988 (reprint 1998). "Secret visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama." London: Serindia Publications
**1998 'The Fifth Dalai Lama and his Reunification of Tibet'. "The Arrow and the Spindle, Studies in History, Myths, Rituals and Beliefs in Tibet". Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point

Autobiography
* [http://dalailama.com/page.133.htm Two extracts from the autobiography of the Fifth Dalai Lama called Dukulai Gosang, Volume Kha, Lhasa Publication] taken from the Homepage of The 14TH Dalai Lama

External links

* Karmay, Samten G. (2005). "The Great Fifth". Downloaded as a pdf file on 16th December, 2007 from: [http://www.iias.nl/nl/39/IIAS_NL39_1213.pdf]