The Fifth Dalai Lama was not only an influential spiritual figure in Buddhist history, but also an important political leader. For the purpose of this research, the author wants to show the link between the political activism and the religious leadership in form of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Moreover, the author concentrates on how he managed to legitimate his social position placed at the top of Tibetan society, by working out the most significant and relevant historical facts in that period, that had a strong impact on the beliefs of the Tibetans - politically and religiously.
The second chapter depicts the situation of Lhasa in the seventeenth century and the role the fifth Dalai Lama played in the unification of Tibet, in the rise of the Gelukpa order and consequently in the establishment of the Ganden Podrang government in the 1640s. The focus of the third chapter will lie on Lobzang Gyatso’s social position as the supreme ruler of all Tibet, especially in form of the "Great Fifth" as a reincarnation of a bodhisattva. In this context, the question relies on how did the Fifth Dalai Lama achieved to enhance his political project and what was he capable of achieving by doing so? The fourth chapter describes one of his guiding goals: the propagation of Tibetan Buddhism in the non-Tibetan sphere, namely in the north-east of Tibet by enhancing relations with the Manchu emperor of China.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Lhasa in the seventeenth century
- 2.1. The Fifth Dalai Lama and his Reunification of Tibet
- 2.1.1 The Reorganisation of the Tibetan Government
- 2.1.2 Tibet as "Land of Religion"
- 3. The "Great Fifth" Dalai Lama - the supreme ruler of all Tibet
- 3.1 A Trülku as the head of society
- 3.2. The Fifth Dalai Lama as the surrogate of Avalokiteshvara
- 4. The Fifth Dalai Lama's journey to Beijing in 1652-1653 - in the context of Tibetan Buddhist missionary impulses
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research aims to explore the interconnectedness of the Fifth Dalai Lama's religious leadership and political activism in shaping the image of Tibet in the 17th century. It examines how he legitimized his supreme social position by analyzing key historical events and their impact on Tibetan beliefs, both politically and religiously.
- The political and religious unification of Tibet under the Fifth Dalai Lama.
- The role of the Gelukpa order and the establishment of the Ganden Podrang government.
- The Fifth Dalai Lama's social position as the supreme ruler and reincarnation of a bodhisattva.
- The relationship between the Fifth Dalai Lama and Gushri Khan, and the significance of the chöyön relationship.
- The Fifth Dalai Lama's efforts to propagate Tibetan Buddhism beyond Tibet.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the study by emphasizing the importance of culture in shaping a nation's political system. It introduces the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso, as a pivotal figure in the development of modern Tibet's image, highlighting the dual nature of his role as both a religious leader and a political activist. The chapter outlines the research's objective: to demonstrate the link between the Dalai Lama's political activism and religious leadership, showing how he legitimized his position at the apex of Tibetan society. It provides a brief overview of the subsequent chapters, outlining the themes explored in each section.
2. Lhasa in the seventeenth century: This chapter focuses on the pivotal role of the 17th century in Tibet's history, specifically in Lhasa. It emphasizes the reunification of Tibet after centuries of civil war under the Fifth Dalai Lama's leadership, marking a new era with Lhasa as the center of the Tibetan world. The chapter details the mechanisms and structures involved in the creation of the Ganden Podrang government, highlighting the Dalai Lama's instrumental role in securing harmony between the celestial and terrestrial realms. A significant aspect is the establishment of the Potala Palace as the seat of both religious and political power.
2.1. The Fifth Dalai Lama and his Reunification of Tibet: This chapter examines the rise of the Gelukpa order and the Dalai Lama's role as its hierarch in achieving political and religious supremacy. The crucial intervention of the Mongol leader Gushri Khan, secured through the efforts of Sonam Chömpel, is highlighted as a major factor in the Dalai Lama's success against his Tsangpa opponents. The chapter draws parallels with the earlier support of Altan Khan for the Third Dalai Lama, emphasizing the recurring pattern of the "coalition of politics and religion" expressed in the chöyön relationship between religious leaders and Mongol patrons. The enduring loyalty of Gushri Khan and his army from 1639 to 1642, solidifying the Gelukpa's victory and the Fifth Dalai Lama's dominance, concludes this section.
Keywords
Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso, Tibet, Gelukpa order, Ganden Podrang government, Lhasa, political unification, religious leadership, political activism, Gushri Khan, chöyön relationship, Tibetan Buddhism, Mongol intervention, reincarnation, bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview of a research paper focusing on the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso, and his pivotal role in the political and religious unification of 17th-century Tibet. It explores the interconnectedness of his religious leadership and political activism in shaping Tibet's image during this period.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the political and religious unification of Tibet under the Fifth Dalai Lama; the role of the Gelukpa order and the Ganden Podrang government; the Dalai Lama's social position as supreme ruler and reincarnation of a bodhisattva; his relationship with Gushri Khan and the significance of the chöyön relationship; and his efforts to propagate Tibetan Buddhism beyond Tibet.
What is the structure of the text preview?
The preview provides a table of contents, outlining the chapters and sub-chapters. It also includes a statement of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords. This allows for a thorough understanding of the research paper's scope and content.
What is the significance of the Fifth Dalai Lama's journey to Beijing in 1652-1653?
The text highlights the Fifth Dalai Lama's journey to Beijing in 1652-1653 as a significant event within the context of Tibetan Buddhist missionary impulses. While the details aren't fully elaborated in the preview, it suggests this journey played a role in expanding the influence of Tibetan Buddhism.
What is the Ganden Podrang government, and what was its role?
The Ganden Podrang government was established under the Fifth Dalai Lama, representing the unification of religious and political power in Tibet. The text emphasizes its importance in structuring the unified Tibetan state and maintaining harmony between the religious and political spheres.
What is the "chöyön relationship," and why is it important in this context?
The "chöyön relationship" refers to the patron-client relationship between the Dalai Lama (religious leader) and Gushri Khan (Mongol leader). This relationship was crucial to the Fifth Dalai Lama's success in unifying Tibet, highlighting the intertwining of political and religious power dynamics.
What role did the Gelukpa order play in the unification of Tibet?
The Gelukpa order, with the Fifth Dalai Lama as its hierarch, played a central role in achieving both religious and political supremacy in Tibet. The text suggests their rise to dominance was instrumental in the unification process.
What is the significance of the Potala Palace?
The Potala Palace is described as the seat of both religious and political power, emphasizing the integration of these two aspects under the Fifth Dalai Lama's rule.
What is the overall objective of the research presented in this preview?
The research aims to demonstrate the link between the Fifth Dalai Lama's religious leadership and his political activism in legitimizing his supreme position in Tibetan society during the 17th century.
What are some of the key words associated with this research?
Key words include Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso, Tibet, Gelukpa order, Ganden Podrang government, Lhasa, political unification, religious leadership, political activism, Gushri Khan, chöyön relationship, Tibetan Buddhism, Mongol intervention, reincarnation, bodhisattva, and Avalokiteshvara.
- Quote paper
- Laura Tomas (Author), 2016, The Dualism of the Fifth Dalai Lama. A Religious Leader and Political Activist, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/913286
