Difference between revisions of "The Fifth Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Yeshe"
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| − | + | The Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]], [[Lobzang Yeshe]] (paN [[chen]] 02 [[blo bzang ye shes]]) was born in 1663, on the fifteenth day of seventh month of the [[water-rabbit]] year of the eleventh [[sexagenary cycle]] in Tobgyel (thob rgyal) in [[Tsang]]. His father was Sonam Wangdrak ([[bsod nams]] [[dbang]] grags) and his mother was named Tsetan Butri ([[tshe]] brtan bu [[khrid]]); the [[family]] belonged to the Dru ('bru) [[family]], one of the five main [[lineages]] of the [[Bon tradition]]. | |
| − | In | + | In 1668, at the age of four, he was [[recognized]] by the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]], [[Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso]] ([[ta la'i bla ma]] 05 [[ngag dbang blo bzang rgya mtsho]], 1617-1682) as the [[reincarnation]] of his [[teacher]], the Fourth [[Paṇchen Lama]], [[Lobzang]] [[Chokyi Gyeltsen]] (paN [[chen]] 04 [[blo bzang chos kyi rgyal mtshan]], 1570-1662). He was [[enthroned]] at [[Tashilhunpo]] ([[bkra shis lhun po]]) [[monastery]] in [[Zhigatse]]. |
| − | Over a decade later, in 1697, Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe received a letter from Desi Sanggye Gyatso acknowledging his deception around the death of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Claiming that he had acted under orders from the Fifth, he informed Lobzang Yeshe that he had sent an embassy to inform the Kangxi Emperor and was preparing to invite the Fifth Dalai Lama's reincarnation to Lhasa. Soon afterwards the Fifth Paṇchen received a second message stating that the reincarnation of the Fifth had already arrived in Tsosankha (mtsho san kha); he requested that the Paṇchen Lama invite the boy to Tashilhunpo and give him lay vows. | + | [[Lobzang Yeshe]] is enumerated as either the Fifth or the Second [[Paṇchen Lama]] due there being two systems in [[Tibet]], one held by the [[Ganden Podrang]] (which held [[Lobzang]] [[Chokyi Gyeltsen]] to be the First [[Paṇchen]], and that of [[Tashilhunpo]], which counted three [[lamas]] -- [[Khedrubje Gelek Pelzang]] ([[mkhas grub rje dge legs dpal bzang]], 1385-1438), Sonam [[Chokyi Langpo]] ([[bsod nams]] [[phyogs kyi glang po]], 1439-1505), and Wensapa [[Lobzang]] Dondrub (dben sa pa blo bzang [[don grub]], 1505-1566) -- to be the First, Second, and Third [[Paṇchen]], respectively. The {{Wiki|custom}} of the [[Treasury of Lives]] is to count [[Chokyi Gyeltsen]] as the Fourth, and [[Lobzang Yeshe]] as the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]], following popular convention. |
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| + | Soon after the enthronement, the prominent [[teacher]] [[Lobzang]] Tendzin ([[blo bzang bstan 'dzin]], d.u.), was invited to tutor [[Lobzang Yeshe]] in basic [[writing]] and reading. In 1669, the general manager of [[Tashilhunpo]], [[Gendun]] [[Tsultrim]] ([[dge 'dun tshul khrims]]) reported to the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] on the considerable [[offerings]] given to the Fifth [[Paṇchen]], which included many tons of grain, ninety-two [[horses]], and forty dzo, by the [[monastic communities]] of [[Sera]], [[Drepung]], [[Ganden]], and other [[monasteries]] across [[Tibet]]. | ||
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| + | In 1670, at the age of eight, [[Lobzang Yeshe]] visited the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] at the [[Potala Palace]] in [[Lhasa]]. [[The Dalai Lama]] gave him lay [[vows]] and the [[name]] by which he is known, [[Lobzang Yeshe]] Pelzangpo ([[blo bzang ye shes]] [[dpal bzang]] po), and he [[offered]] him gifts of thirty five fine [[horses]], golden and {{Wiki|silver}} saddles and genuine {{Wiki|pearls}}. During the boy's two months in [[Lhasa]] the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] gave him [[transmission]] in the [[Mañjuśrīnāmasamgīti]] and a [[Sitātapatrā]] long-life [[empowerment]]. Around July 1670 both received gifts from the [[Kangxi Emperor]] of the [[Qing Dynasty]] via the [[Tibetan]] envoy Sanggye [[Gyeltsen]] ([[sangs rgyas rgyal mtshan]]). With the advice to study the writings of [[Tsongkhapa]], the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] sent [[Lobzang Yeshe]] back to [[Tsang]]. | ||
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| + | In 1684, at the age of twenty-one, having trained in [[Buddhist doctrine]] and practice for over a decade, the time had come for the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]] to received full [[ordination]]. The steward of [[Tashilhunpo]] was sent to [[Lhasa]] to make arrangements. However, the [[Dalai Lama's]] Regent, [[Desi]] [[Sanggye Gyatso]] ([[sde srid]] sags [[rgyas]] rgyal mtsho, 1653-1705), who was then concealing the [[Fifth Dalai Lama's]] [[death]], sent him away with the suggestion that [[Lobzang Yeshe]] be [[ordained]] by other [[lamas]]. Thus, at the age of twenty-two, [[Paṇchen]] [[Lobzang Yeshe]] took [[monastic vows]] from the [[abbot]] of Tashilhunpo's [[Tantric College]], [[Konchok]] [[Gyeltsen]] ([[dkon mchog rgyal mtshan]]). | ||
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| + | Over a decade later, in 1697, [[Paṇchen]] [[Lobzang Yeshe]] received a [[letter]] from [[Desi]] [[Sanggye Gyatso]] [[acknowledging]] his [[deception]] around the [[death]] of the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]]. Claiming that he had acted under orders from the Fifth, he informed [[Lobzang Yeshe]] that he had sent an {{Wiki|embassy}} to inform the [[Kangxi Emperor]] and was preparing to invite the [[Fifth Dalai Lama's]] [[reincarnation]] to [[Lhasa]]. Soon afterwards the Fifth [[Paṇchen]] received a second message stating that the [[reincarnation]] of the Fifth had already arrived in Tsosankha (mtsho san kha); he requested that the [[Paṇchen Lama]] invite the boy to [[Tashilhunpo]] and give him lay [[vows]]. | ||
[[File:6.panchen_02.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:6.panchen_02.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Thus in August of 1697 Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe met the reincarnation of the Fifth Dalai Lama at Tendzin Palace in Santse (san rtse) county and made a number of offerings. Cutting his crown hair, and giving him lay vows, the Paṇchen Lama gave him the name Lobzang Rinchen Tsangyang Gyatso (blo bzang rin chen tshang dbyangs rgyal mtsho). The Fifth Paṇchen traveled with the young Sixth Dalai Lama, who had been born in 1683, to oversee the enthronement. At the time Lobzang Yeshe also consecrated the reliquary for the Fifth Dalai Lama. | + | Thus in August of 1697 [[Paṇchen]] [[Lobzang Yeshe]] met the [[reincarnation]] of the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] at Tendzin Palace in Santse (san rtse) county and made a number of [[offerings]]. Cutting his {{Wiki|crown}} [[hair]], and giving him lay [[vows]], the [[Paṇchen Lama]] gave him the [[name]] [[Lobzang]] Rinchen [[Tsangyang Gyatso]] (blo bzang [[rin chen]] [[tshang]] dbyangs rgyal mtsho). The Fifth [[Paṇchen]] traveled with the young [[Sixth Dalai Lama]], who had been born in 1683, to oversee the enthronement. At the time [[Lobzang Yeshe]] also [[consecrated]] the reliquary for the [[Fifth Dalai Lama]]. |
| − | At the age thirty five he was invited by Tsultrim Dargye (tshul khrims dar rgyas, 1632-1701),the Forty-fifth Ganden Tripa, to give teachings at the monastery, during which he gave lay vows to dozens of monks. | + | At the age thirty five he was invited by [[Tsultrim]] [[Dargye]] ([[tshul khrims dar rgyas]], 1632-1701),the Forty-fifth [[Ganden Tripa]], to give teachings at the [[monastery]], during which he gave lay [[vows]] to dozens of [[monks]]. |
| − | In 1702 the Sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso visited Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe at Tashilhunpo, where he had been summoned to explain his errant behavior (the young boy spent considerably time in public parks playing at archery and other sports, and was said to frequent the brothels of Lhasa) and partly to take final ordination. Tsangyang Gyatso was asked to give teaching in the assembly hall of the monastery but he did not accept; he also refused to take monastic vows. After two months he returned to Lhasa, not wavering from his refusal to take ordination. The two never saw each other again; the Sixth Dalai Lama died in Amdo in 1706. | + | In 1702 the [[Sixth Dalai Lama]] [[Tsangyang Gyatso]] visited [[Paṇchen]] [[Lobzang Yeshe]] at [[Tashilhunpo]], where he had been summoned to explain his errant {{Wiki|behavior}} (the young boy spent considerably time in public parks playing at [[archery]] and other sports, and was said to frequent the brothels of [[Lhasa]]) and partly to take final [[ordination]]. [[Tsangyang Gyatso]] was asked to give [[teaching]] in the assembly hall of the [[monastery]] but he did not accept; he also refused to take [[monastic vows]]. After two months he returned to [[Lhasa]], not wavering from his refusal to take [[ordination]]. The two never saw each other again; the [[Sixth Dalai Lama]] [[died]] in [[Amdo]] in 1706. |
| − | When conflict erupted in 1705 between Desi Sanggye Gyatso and Lhazang Khan, the chief of the Qoshot Mongolians who controlled Tibet, the Fifth Paṇchen Lama pleaded with the Mongolian to spare the lives of living beings. Hearing that fighting had broken out, he headed towards the battles, north of Lhasa, but was only outside of Zhigatse when he received word that the battle was over, and the Regent defeated. As part of Lhazang's efforts to pacify the clergy, which he had treated with considerable cruelty during the conflict, he sent his wife, Jerinraśi, who had arranged for the murder of the defeated Regent, to meet with the Paṇchen Lama and bring him gifts. | + | When conflict erupted in 1705 between [[Desi]] [[Sanggye Gyatso]] and [[Wikipedia:Lha-bzang Khan|Lhazang Khan]], the chief of the Qoshot [[Mongolians]] who controlled [[Tibet]], the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]] pleaded with the {{Wiki|Mongolian}} to spare the [[lives]] of [[living beings]]. Hearing that fighting had broken out, he headed towards the battles, [[north]] of [[Lhasa]], but was only outside of [[Zhigatse]] when he received [[word]] that the {{Wiki|battle}} was over, and the Regent defeated. As part of Lhazang's efforts to pacify the {{Wiki|clergy}}, which he had treated with considerable [[cruelty]] during the conflict, he sent his wife, Jerinraśi, who had arranged for the murder of the defeated Regent, to meet with the [[Paṇchen Lama]] and bring him gifts. |
| − | Proof of the Fifth Paṇchen Lama's support of Lhazang was his involvement in the Mongolian's effort to install his own son as the replacement Sixth Dalai Lama, who he had deposed from office after declaring him illegitimate. The boy, a monk at Chakpori Medical College (lcags po ri), named Monpa Pekar Dzinpa (mon pa pad dkar 'dzin pa), had been born in 1686 in Tsarong, Kham, and had been ordained as a novice at Drepung in 1699. In 1707 the Fifth Paṇchen Lama gave him the name Ngawang Yeshe Gyatso (ngag dbang ye shes rgya mtsho) and installed him in the Potala as the Sixth Dalai Lama. It was a short-lived tenure, rejected by most Geluk hierarchs. Word came soon from Kham that the rebirth of Tsangyang Gyatso had been found in Litang. | + | [[Proof]] of the Fifth [[Paṇchen]] [[Lama's]] support of Lhazang was his involvement in the Mongolian's [[effort]] to install his [[own]] son as the replacement [[Sixth Dalai Lama]], who he had deposed from office after declaring him illegitimate. The boy, a [[monk]] at [[Chakpori]] [[Medical College]] ([[lcags]] po ri), named Monpa [[Pekar]] Dzinpa (mon pa pad dkar [['dzin pa]]), had been born in 1686 in [[Tsarong]], [[Kham]], and had been [[ordained]] as a {{Wiki|novice}} at [[Drepung]] in 1699. In 1707 the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]] gave him the [[name]] [[Ngawang Yeshe Gyatso]] ([[ngag dbang]] [[ye shes rgya mtsho]]) and installed him in the [[Potala]] as the [[Sixth Dalai Lama]]. It was a short-lived tenure, rejected by most [[Geluk]] hierarchs. [[Word]] came soon from [[Kham]] that the [[rebirth]] of [[Tsangyang Gyatso]] had been found in [[Litang]]. |
| − | In 1712 the Kangxi Emperor, having heard about the Litang boy, sent the Jasak Lama Gelek Chopel (dge legs chos 'phel) to Tashilhunpo to learn the Paṇchen Lama's position in the matter. They returned with the message that the Paṇchen rejected the boy's case, resulting in several years of delay before the Seventh Dalai Lama was brought to Lhasa to be officially enthroned. | + | In 1712 the [[Kangxi Emperor]], having heard about the [[Litang]] boy, sent the Jasak [[Lama]] [[Gelek]] Chopel (dge {{Wiki|legs}} [[chos]] 'phel) to [[Tashilhunpo]] to learn the [[Paṇchen]] [[Lama's]] position in the {{Wiki|matter}}. They returned with the message that the [[Paṇchen]] rejected the boy's case, resulting in several years of delay before the [[Seventh Dalai Lama]] was brought to [[Lhasa]] to be officially [[enthroned]]. |
| − | In 1713, Lobzang Yeshe received from the Kangxi Emperor a golden seal carved with the title Erdini, Mongolian for chogyel (chos rgyal), or dharmaraja. All Paṇchen Lamas have since assumed this title. | + | In 1713, [[Lobzang Yeshe]] received from the [[Kangxi Emperor]] a golden {{Wiki|seal}} carved with the title Erdini, {{Wiki|Mongolian}} for chogyel ([[chos rgyal]]), or [[dharmaraja]]. All [[Paṇchen]] [[Lamas]] have since assumed this title. |
| − | When the Dzungars invaded Tibet in 1717, the Fifth Paṇchen Lama and other Geluk lamas unsuccessfully attempted to convince the two Mongolian armies to avoid full battle. The Paṇchen, continuing his allegiance to Lhazang, retreated with him to Lhasa and, when the Dzungars took Lhasa, he interceded, again unsuccessfully, on behalf of the khan, who had taken refuge in the Potala. Lhazang later died fighting. His son, the replacement Sixth Dalai Lama, was allowed, due to the Paṇchen's intervention, to return to Chakpori to live as an ordinary monk, until he was sent to Beijing by the Chinese in 1720, where he passed away a few years later. | + | When the {{Wiki|Dzungars}} invaded [[Tibet]] in 1717, the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]] and other [[Geluk]] [[lamas]] unsuccessfully attempted to convince the two {{Wiki|Mongolian}} armies to avoid full {{Wiki|battle}}. The [[Paṇchen]], continuing his allegiance to Lhazang, retreated with him to [[Lhasa]] and, when the {{Wiki|Dzungars}} took [[Lhasa]], he interceded, again unsuccessfully, on behalf of the [[khan]], who had taken [[refuge]] in the [[Potala]]. Lhazang later [[died]] fighting. His son, the replacement [[Sixth Dalai Lama]], was allowed, due to the Paṇchen's intervention, to return to [[Chakpori]] to live as an ordinary [[monk]], until he was sent to {{Wiki|Beijing}} by the {{Wiki|Chinese}} in 1720, where he passed away a few years later. |
| − | During the chaos that followed the Dzungar invasion, with their sacking of monasteries and murder of lamas, the Fifth Paṇchen resided in Tashilhunpo, visited by the factions who sought to manage events, including Polhane Sonam Tobgye (pho lha nas bsod nams stobs rgyas, 1689-1747) and Dzungar generals. | + | During the {{Wiki|chaos}} that followed the {{Wiki|Dzungar}} invasion, with their sacking of [[monasteries]] and murder of [[lamas]], the Fifth [[Paṇchen]] resided in [[Tashilhunpo]], visited by the factions who sought to manage events, including [[Polhane]] Sonam Tobgye ([[pho lha nas]] [[bsod nams]] [[stobs]] [[rgyas]], 1689-1747) and {{Wiki|Dzungar}} generals. |
| − | When the Qing invaded Tibet in 1720 and drove out the Dzungars, they brought the Seventh Dalai Lama with them. Knowing that the recognition by the Paṇchen Lama was necessary for his enthronement, Lobzang Yeshe was requested to go to Lhasa to affirm the young man's identity as the legitimate Dalai Lama. He did so, bestowing novice vows and giving the name Lobzang Kelzang Gyatso (blo bzang skal bzang rgya mtsho). He subsequently tutored him, and, in 1727, gave him full ordination. | + | When the Qing invaded [[Tibet]] in 1720 and drove out the {{Wiki|Dzungars}}, they brought the [[Seventh Dalai Lama]] with them. [[Knowing]] that the {{Wiki|recognition}} by the [[Paṇchen Lama]] was necessary for his enthronement, [[Lobzang Yeshe]] was requested to go to [[Lhasa]] to affirm the young man's [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] as the legitimate [[Dalai Lama]]. He did so, bestowing [[novice vows]] and giving the [[name]] [[Lobzang]] [[Kelzang Gyatso]] (blo bzang [[skal bzang rgya mtsho]]). He subsequently tutored him, and, in 1727, gave him full [[ordination]]. |
| − | In the late 1720s the Fifth Paṇchen Lama again found himself in the midst of civil war, as Polhane mounted his victorious campaign to take control of Tibet. His pleas to Lhasa to avoid battle were rebuffed, and Zhigatse briefly suffered the presence of the Lhasa army while Polhane temporarily retreated. Because of threats of smallpox, the Paṇchen Lama refused all personal meetings, but continued to send and received messengers. | + | In the late 1720s the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]] again found himself in the midst of civil [[war]], as [[Polhane]] mounted his victorious campaign to take control of [[Tibet]]. His pleas to [[Lhasa]] to avoid {{Wiki|battle}} were rebuffed, and [[Zhigatse]] briefly [[suffered]] the presence of the [[Lhasa]] {{Wiki|army}} while [[Polhane]] temporarily retreated. Because of threats of {{Wiki|smallpox}}, the [[Paṇchen Lama]] refused all personal meetings, but continued to send and received messengers. |
| − | Upon Polhane's victory the Seventh Dalai Lama was exiled, leaving Lhasa at the end of 1728. The Manchu ambans in Lhasa, representatives of the Qing, arranged for an invitation to the Paṇchen Lama to travel to Lhasa, which he did, without enthusiasm, in October 1728. Polhane granted him dominion over most of Tsang and Ngari, forcing him to cede the eastern part of the region to Lhasa. As part of the affirmation of the new arrangements, he sent an envoy to Beijing, one of several that went back and forth between Zhigatse and Beijing over the next few years. One of these was a petition, in 1732, for the return of the Seventh Dalai Lama. When this finally occurred, in 1735, the Dalai Lama went to Zhigatse to pay his respect to the Fifth Paṇchen Lama, who was by then quite old and unwell. | + | Upon Polhane's victory the [[Seventh Dalai Lama]] was exiled, leaving [[Lhasa]] at the end of 1728. The [[Manchu]] [[ambans]] in [[Lhasa]], representatives of the Qing, arranged for an invitation to the [[Paṇchen Lama]] to travel to [[Lhasa]], which he did, without [[enthusiasm]], in October 1728. [[Polhane]] granted him dominion over most of [[Tsang]] and [[Ngari]], forcing him to cede the eastern part of the region to [[Lhasa]]. As part of the [[affirmation]] of the new arrangements, he sent an envoy to {{Wiki|Beijing}}, one of several that went back and forth between [[Zhigatse]] and {{Wiki|Beijing}} over the next few years. One of these was a petition, in 1732, for the return of the [[Seventh Dalai Lama]]. When this finally occurred, in 1735, the [[Dalai Lama]] went to [[Zhigatse]] to pay his [[respect]] to the Fifth [[Paṇchen Lama]], who was by then quite old and unwell. |
| − | Lobzang Yeshe passed way in July 31, 1737, the fire-snake year of the twelfth sexagenary cycle. | + | [[Lobzang Yeshe]] passed way in July 31, 1737, the [[fire-snake]] year of the twelfth [[sexagenary cycle]]. |
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| − | Bkras dgon lo rgyus rtsom 'bri tshogs chung. 1992. PaN chen sku phreng lang pa blo bzang ye shes kyi rnam thar mdor bsdus. In Dpal gyi chos sde chen po bkra shis lhun po. Lhasa: Bod ljongs mi dmangs dpe skrun khang. | + | Bkras dgon [[lo rgyus]] rtsom 'bri [[tshogs]] [[chung]]. 1992. PaN [[chen]] sku phreng lang pa [[blo bzang ye shes]] kyi [[rnam thar]] mdor bsdus. In Dpal gyi [[chos sde]] [[chen po]] [[bkra shis lhun po]]. [[Lhasa]]: [[Bod ljongs mi dmangs dpe skrun khang]]. |
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| − | Grags pa 'byung gnas and Rgyal ba blo bzang mkhas grub. 1992. Gangs can mkhas grub rim byon ming mdzod. Lanzhou: Kan su'u mi rigs dpe skrun khang, pp. 980-982. | + | [[Grags pa 'byung gnas]] and [[Rgyal ba blo bzang mkhas grub]]. 1992. [[Gangs can mkhas grub rim byon ming mdzod]]. {{Wiki|Lanzhou}}: [[Kan su'u mi rigs dpe skrun khang]], pp. 980-982. |
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| − | Tshe mchog gling yongs 'dzin ye shes rgyal mtshan. 1970 (1787). Byang chub lam gyi rim pa'i bla ma brgyud pa'i rnam par thar pa rgyal mtshan mdzes pa'i rgyan mchog phul byung nor bu'i phreng ba. Delhi: Ngawang Gelek Demo, vol. 2, pp. 255-339. | + | [[Tshe]] mchog gling yongs '[[dzin]] [[ye shes rgyal mtshan]]. 1970 (1787). [[Byang chub]] lam gyi rim pa'i [[bla ma]] [[brgyud]] pa'i [[rnam]] par [[thar pa]] [[rgyal mtshan]] mdzes pa'i [[rgyan]] mchog phul byung nor bu'i [[phreng ba]]. {{Wiki|Delhi}}: [[Ngawang Gelek Demo]], vol. 2, pp. 255-339. |
| − | Ya han zhang 牙含章. Blo bzang phun tshogs and Rta mgrin 'brug grags, trans. 1992. PaN chen sku phreng rim byon mdzan rnam. Lhasa: Bod ljongs mi dmangs dpe skrun khang. | + | Ya han zhang 牙含章. Blo bzang phun [[tshogs]] and [[Rta mgrin]] [['brug]] grags, trans. 1992. PaN [[chen]] sku phreng rim byon mdzan [[rnam]]. [[Lhasa]]: [[Bod ljongs mi dmangs dpe skrun khang]]. |
| − | Yongs 'dzin ye shes rgyal mtshan. N.d. Rje btsun blo bzang ye shes dpal bzang po'i rnam thar. In Lam rim bla ma brgyud pa'i rnam thar, pp. 165-222. Barkham. Rnga khul bod yig rtsom sgyur cus. | + | Yongs '[[dzin]] [[ye shes rgyal mtshan]]. N.d. [[Rje btsun]] [[blo bzang ye shes]] [[dpal bzang]] po'i [[rnam thar]]. In [[Lam rim bla ma brgyud pa'i rnam thar]], pp. 165-222. Barkham. Rnga khul bod yig rtsom sgyur cus. |
| − | Tsering Namgyal | + | [[Tsering Namgyal]] |
April 2011 | April 2011 | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.treasuryoflives.org/biographies/view/Lobzang-Yeshe/2180 www.treasuryoflives.org] | [http://www.treasuryoflives.org/biographies/view/Lobzang-Yeshe/2180 www.treasuryoflives.org] | ||
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]] | ||
Revision as of 04:48, 17 December 2015
The Fifth Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Yeshe (paN chen 02 blo bzang ye shes) was born in 1663, on the fifteenth day of seventh month of the water-rabbit year of the eleventh sexagenary cycle in Tobgyel (thob rgyal) in Tsang. His father was Sonam Wangdrak (bsod nams dbang grags) and his mother was named Tsetan Butri (tshe brtan bu khrid); the family belonged to the Dru ('bru) family, one of the five main lineages of the Bon tradition.
In 1668, at the age of four, he was recognized by the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso (ta la'i bla ma 05 ngag dbang blo bzang rgya mtsho, 1617-1682) as the reincarnation of his teacher, the Fourth Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (paN chen 04 blo bzang chos kyi rgyal mtshan, 1570-1662). He was enthroned at Tashilhunpo (bkra shis lhun po) monastery in Zhigatse.
Lobzang Yeshe is enumerated as either the Fifth or the Second Paṇchen Lama due there being two systems in Tibet, one held by the Ganden Podrang (which held Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen to be the First Paṇchen, and that of Tashilhunpo, which counted three lamas -- Khedrubje Gelek Pelzang (mkhas grub rje dge legs dpal bzang, 1385-1438), Sonam Chokyi Langpo (bsod nams phyogs kyi glang po, 1439-1505), and Wensapa Lobzang Dondrub (dben sa pa blo bzang don grub, 1505-1566) -- to be the First, Second, and Third Paṇchen, respectively. The custom of the Treasury of Lives is to count Chokyi Gyeltsen as the Fourth, and Lobzang Yeshe as the Fifth Paṇchen Lama, following popular convention.
Soon after the enthronement, the prominent teacher Lobzang Tendzin (blo bzang bstan 'dzin, d.u.), was invited to tutor Lobzang Yeshe in basic writing and reading. In 1669, the general manager of Tashilhunpo, Gendun Tsultrim (dge 'dun tshul khrims) reported to the Fifth Dalai Lama on the considerable offerings given to the Fifth Paṇchen, which included many tons of grain, ninety-two horses, and forty dzo, by the monastic communities of Sera, Drepung, Ganden, and other monasteries across Tibet.
In 1670, at the age of eight, Lobzang Yeshe visited the Fifth Dalai Lama at the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The Dalai Lama gave him lay vows and the name by which he is known, Lobzang Yeshe Pelzangpo (blo bzang ye shes dpal bzang po), and he offered him gifts of thirty five fine horses, golden and silver saddles and genuine pearls. During the boy's two months in Lhasa the Fifth Dalai Lama gave him transmission in the Mañjuśrīnāmasamgīti and a Sitātapatrā long-life empowerment. Around July 1670 both received gifts from the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty via the Tibetan envoy Sanggye Gyeltsen (sangs rgyas rgyal mtshan). With the advice to study the writings of Tsongkhapa, the Fifth Dalai Lama sent Lobzang Yeshe back to Tsang.
In 1684, at the age of twenty-one, having trained in Buddhist doctrine and practice for over a decade, the time had come for the Fifth Paṇchen Lama to received full ordination. The steward of Tashilhunpo was sent to Lhasa to make arrangements. However, the Dalai Lama's Regent, Desi Sanggye Gyatso (sde srid sags rgyas rgyal mtsho, 1653-1705), who was then concealing the Fifth Dalai Lama's death, sent him away with the suggestion that Lobzang Yeshe be ordained by other lamas. Thus, at the age of twenty-two, Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe took monastic vows from the abbot of Tashilhunpo's Tantric College, Konchok Gyeltsen (dkon mchog rgyal mtshan).
Over a decade later, in 1697, Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe received a letter from Desi Sanggye Gyatso acknowledging his deception around the death of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Claiming that he had acted under orders from the Fifth, he informed Lobzang Yeshe that he had sent an embassy to inform the Kangxi Emperor and was preparing to invite the Fifth Dalai Lama's reincarnation to Lhasa. Soon afterwards the Fifth Paṇchen received a second message stating that the reincarnation of the Fifth had already arrived in Tsosankha (mtsho san kha); he requested that the Paṇchen Lama invite the boy to Tashilhunpo and give him lay vows.
Thus in August of 1697 Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe met the reincarnation of the Fifth Dalai Lama at Tendzin Palace in Santse (san rtse) county and made a number of offerings. Cutting his crown hair, and giving him lay vows, the Paṇchen Lama gave him the name Lobzang Rinchen Tsangyang Gyatso (blo bzang rin chen tshang dbyangs rgyal mtsho). The Fifth Paṇchen traveled with the young Sixth Dalai Lama, who had been born in 1683, to oversee the enthronement. At the time Lobzang Yeshe also consecrated the reliquary for the Fifth Dalai Lama.
At the age thirty five he was invited by Tsultrim Dargye (tshul khrims dar rgyas, 1632-1701),the Forty-fifth Ganden Tripa, to give teachings at the monastery, during which he gave lay vows to dozens of monks.
In 1702 the Sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso visited Paṇchen Lobzang Yeshe at Tashilhunpo, where he had been summoned to explain his errant behavior (the young boy spent considerably time in public parks playing at archery and other sports, and was said to frequent the brothels of Lhasa) and partly to take final ordination. Tsangyang Gyatso was asked to give teaching in the assembly hall of the monastery but he did not accept; he also refused to take monastic vows. After two months he returned to Lhasa, not wavering from his refusal to take ordination. The two never saw each other again; the Sixth Dalai Lama died in Amdo in 1706.
When conflict erupted in 1705 between Desi Sanggye Gyatso and Lhazang Khan, the chief of the Qoshot Mongolians who controlled Tibet, the Fifth Paṇchen Lama pleaded with the Mongolian to spare the lives of living beings. Hearing that fighting had broken out, he headed towards the battles, north of Lhasa, but was only outside of Zhigatse when he received word that the battle was over, and the Regent defeated. As part of Lhazang's efforts to pacify the clergy, which he had treated with considerable cruelty during the conflict, he sent his wife, Jerinraśi, who had arranged for the murder of the defeated Regent, to meet with the Paṇchen Lama and bring him gifts.
Proof of the Fifth Paṇchen Lama's support of Lhazang was his involvement in the Mongolian's effort to install his own son as the replacement Sixth Dalai Lama, who he had deposed from office after declaring him illegitimate. The boy, a monk at Chakpori Medical College (lcags po ri), named Monpa Pekar Dzinpa (mon pa pad dkar 'dzin pa), had been born in 1686 in Tsarong, Kham, and had been ordained as a novice at Drepung in 1699. In 1707 the Fifth Paṇchen Lama gave him the name Ngawang Yeshe Gyatso (ngag dbang ye shes rgya mtsho) and installed him in the Potala as the Sixth Dalai Lama. It was a short-lived tenure, rejected by most Geluk hierarchs. Word came soon from Kham that the rebirth of Tsangyang Gyatso had been found in Litang.
In 1712 the Kangxi Emperor, having heard about the Litang boy, sent the Jasak Lama Gelek Chopel (dge legs chos 'phel) to Tashilhunpo to learn the Paṇchen Lama's position in the matter. They returned with the message that the Paṇchen rejected the boy's case, resulting in several years of delay before the Seventh Dalai Lama was brought to Lhasa to be officially enthroned.
In 1713, Lobzang Yeshe received from the Kangxi Emperor a golden seal carved with the title Erdini, Mongolian for chogyel (chos rgyal), or dharmaraja. All Paṇchen Lamas have since assumed this title.
When the Dzungars invaded Tibet in 1717, the Fifth Paṇchen Lama and other Geluk lamas unsuccessfully attempted to convince the two Mongolian armies to avoid full battle. The Paṇchen, continuing his allegiance to Lhazang, retreated with him to Lhasa and, when the Dzungars took Lhasa, he interceded, again unsuccessfully, on behalf of the khan, who had taken refuge in the Potala. Lhazang later died fighting. His son, the replacement Sixth Dalai Lama, was allowed, due to the Paṇchen's intervention, to return to Chakpori to live as an ordinary monk, until he was sent to Beijing by the Chinese in 1720, where he passed away a few years later.
During the chaos that followed the Dzungar invasion, with their sacking of monasteries and murder of lamas, the Fifth Paṇchen resided in Tashilhunpo, visited by the factions who sought to manage events, including Polhane Sonam Tobgye (pho lha nas bsod nams stobs rgyas, 1689-1747) and Dzungar generals.
When the Qing invaded Tibet in 1720 and drove out the Dzungars, they brought the Seventh Dalai Lama with them. Knowing that the recognition by the Paṇchen Lama was necessary for his enthronement, Lobzang Yeshe was requested to go to Lhasa to affirm the young man's identity as the legitimate Dalai Lama. He did so, bestowing novice vows and giving the name Lobzang Kelzang Gyatso (blo bzang skal bzang rgya mtsho). He subsequently tutored him, and, in 1727, gave him full ordination.
In the late 1720s the Fifth Paṇchen Lama again found himself in the midst of civil war, as Polhane mounted his victorious campaign to take control of Tibet. His pleas to Lhasa to avoid battle were rebuffed, and Zhigatse briefly suffered the presence of the Lhasa army while Polhane temporarily retreated. Because of threats of smallpox, the Paṇchen Lama refused all personal meetings, but continued to send and received messengers.
Upon Polhane's victory the Seventh Dalai Lama was exiled, leaving Lhasa at the end of 1728. The Manchu ambans in Lhasa, representatives of the Qing, arranged for an invitation to the Paṇchen Lama to travel to Lhasa, which he did, without enthusiasm, in October 1728. Polhane granted him dominion over most of Tsang and Ngari, forcing him to cede the eastern part of the region to Lhasa. As part of the affirmation of the new arrangements, he sent an envoy to Beijing, one of several that went back and forth between Zhigatse and Beijing over the next few years. One of these was a petition, in 1732, for the return of the Seventh Dalai Lama. When this finally occurred, in 1735, the Dalai Lama went to Zhigatse to pay his respect to the Fifth Paṇchen Lama, who was by then quite old and unwell.
Lobzang Yeshe passed way in July 31, 1737, the fire-snake year of the twelfth sexagenary cycle.
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Tsering Namgyal April 2011
