Difference between revisions of "Tridé Songtsen"
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[[File:Mandjushr-iand-Potala.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Mandjushr-iand-Potala.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
− | [[Sadnalegs]] or [[Tridé Songtsen]] (Wylie: [[Khri-lde-srong-btsan]]), was the youngest son of [[King Trisong Detsen]] of [[Tibet]] (reigned c. 800–815 CE – though various accounts give the beginning of his reign as 797 or 804 CE). | + | [[Sadnalegs]] or [[Tridé Songtsen]] ([[Wylie]]: [[Khri-lde-srong-btsan]]), was the youngest son of [[King Trisong Detsen]] of [[Tibet]] (reigned c. 800–815 CE – though various accounts give the beginning of his [[reign]] as 797 or 804 CE). |
[[File:Traling-far.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Traling-far.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
− | [[Trisong Detsen]] retired to [[live]] at [[Zungkar]] and handed power to his second son, [[Mune Tsenpo]], in 797. From this point there is much {{Wiki|confusion}} in the various historical sources. It seems there was a struggle for the succession after the [[death]] of [[Trisong Detsen]]. It is not clear when [[Trisong Detsen]] [[died]], or for how long [[Mune Tsenpo]] reigned. It is said that [[Mune Tsenpo]] was poisoned by his mother who was jealous of his beautiful wife. | + | [[Trisong Detsen]] retired to [[live]] at [[Zungkar]] and handed power to his second son, [[Mune Tsenpo]], in 797. From this point there is much {{Wiki|confusion}} in the various historical sources. It seems there was a struggle for the succession after the [[death]] of [[Trisong Detsen]]. It is not clear when [[Trisong Detsen]] [[died]], or for how long [[Mune Tsenpo]] reigned. It is said that [[Mune Tsenpo]] was poisoned by his mother who was [[jealous]] of his beautiful wife. |
Whatever the case, both the {{Wiki|Tang Annals}} and the [[Tibetan]] sources agree that, since [[Mune Tsenp]]o had no heirs, power passed to his younger brother, [[Sadnalegs]], who was on the [[throne]] by 804 CE. | Whatever the case, both the {{Wiki|Tang Annals}} and the [[Tibetan]] sources agree that, since [[Mune Tsenp]]o had no heirs, power passed to his younger brother, [[Sadnalegs]], who was on the [[throne]] by 804 CE. | ||
− | The other brother, [[Mutik Tsenpo]], was apparently not considered for office as he had previously murdered a senior minister and had been banished to [[Lhodak Kharchu]] near the {{Wiki|Bhutanese}} border. | + | The other brother, [[Mutik Tsenpo]], was apparently not considered for office as he had previously murdered a senior [[minister]] and had been banished to [[Lhodak Kharchu]] near the {{Wiki|Bhutanese}} border. |
As he was quite young when he came to the [[throne]], [[Sadnalegs]] was assisted by four [[experienced]] ministers, two of whom were also [[Buddhist]] [[monks]]. They followed the policies of the previous [[kings]]. [[Sadnalegs]] had four wives from different [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|clans}}. | As he was quite young when he came to the [[throne]], [[Sadnalegs]] was assisted by four [[experienced]] ministers, two of whom were also [[Buddhist]] [[monks]]. They followed the policies of the previous [[kings]]. [[Sadnalegs]] had four wives from different [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|clans}}. | ||
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Support for [[Buddhism]] | Support for [[Buddhism]] | ||
− | [[Indian]] [[scholars]] were invited to [[Samye Monastery]] to help translate [[Buddhist texts]]. [[Sadnaleg]] had the [[temple]] of [[Skar-cung]] ([[Karchung]]) built near [[Lhasa]]. Due to opposition to [[Buddhism]], the [[king]] called a meeting with delegates and vassals from all over the {{Wiki|kingdom}} and drew up a document pledging support for [[Buddhism]] which was signed by all who attended. An inscribed pillar with an account of this pledge was erected in front of the [[Karchung]] which still [[exists]] and has been translated into English. | + | [[Indian]] [[scholars]] were invited to [[Samye Monastery]] to help translate [[Buddhist texts]]. [[Sadnaleg]] had the [[temple]] of [[Skar-cung]] ([[Karchung]]) built near [[Lhasa]]. Due to [[opposition]] to [[Buddhism]], the [[king]] called a meeting with delegates and vassals from all over the {{Wiki|kingdom}} and drew up a document pledging support for [[Buddhism]] which was signed by all who attended. An inscribed pillar with an account of this pledge was erected in front of the [[Karchung]] which still [[exists]] and has been translated into English. |
{{Wiki|Political}} and {{Wiki|military}} [[activities]] | {{Wiki|Political}} and {{Wiki|military}} [[activities]] | ||
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Although [[Tibetan]] forces were fighting the {{Wiki|Chinese}} between 799 and 803, with battles in {{Wiki|Yanzhou}}, {{Wiki|Linzhou}}, {{Wiki|Weizhou}}, {{Wiki|Yazhou}} and {{Wiki|Suizhou}}, envoys began travelling regularly from 804 onwards between [[Lhasa]] and [[China]], although no formal treaty was signed. When [[Wikipedia:Emperor Dezong of Tang|Emperor De Zong]] [[died]] in 805, [[Ralpacan]] sent gifts of {{Wiki|gold}}, {{Wiki|silver}}, cloth, oxen and [[horses]] for the [[funeral]]. | Although [[Tibetan]] forces were fighting the {{Wiki|Chinese}} between 799 and 803, with battles in {{Wiki|Yanzhou}}, {{Wiki|Linzhou}}, {{Wiki|Weizhou}}, {{Wiki|Yazhou}} and {{Wiki|Suizhou}}, envoys began travelling regularly from 804 onwards between [[Lhasa]] and [[China]], although no formal treaty was signed. When [[Wikipedia:Emperor Dezong of Tang|Emperor De Zong]] [[died]] in 805, [[Ralpacan]] sent gifts of {{Wiki|gold}}, {{Wiki|silver}}, cloth, oxen and [[horses]] for the [[funeral]]. | ||
− | The [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|army}} continued to attack the Arabs to the [[west]] and, according to {{Wiki|al-Ya'qubi}}, they besieged {{Wiki|Samarkand}}, the {{Wiki|capital}} of {{Wiki|Transoxiana}} at the [[time]]. Finally, the [[Tibetan]] [[Governor]] of {{Wiki|Turkestan}} presented a statue made of {{Wiki|gold}} and [[precious]] stones to the Arab Caliph al-Ma'mun (r. 813–833). This statue was later sent to the [[Wikipedia:Kaaba|Ka'ba]] in {{Wiki|Mecca}}. | + | The [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|army}} continued to attack the {{Wiki|Arabs}} to the [[west]] and, according to {{Wiki|al-Ya'qubi}}, they besieged {{Wiki|Samarkand}}, the {{Wiki|capital}} of {{Wiki|Transoxiana}} at the [[time]]. Finally, the [[Tibetan]] [[Governor]] of {{Wiki|Turkestan}} presented a statue made of {{Wiki|gold}} and [[precious]] stones to the Arab Caliph al-Ma'mun (r. 813–833). This statue was later sent to the [[Wikipedia:Kaaba|Ka'ba]] in {{Wiki|Mecca}}. |
[[Death]] and succession | [[Death]] and succession | ||
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[[Sadnalegs]] probably [[died]] in 815 (though the [[Blue Annals]] give 814). He had five sons, the first became a [[monk]], the last two [[died]] in childhood. When [[Sadnaleg]] [[died]], [[Langdarma]] was bypassed as he was anti-Buddhist and [[hot]] tempered and the {{Wiki|royal}} power was given to [[Ralpacan]]. | [[Sadnalegs]] probably [[died]] in 815 (though the [[Blue Annals]] give 814). He had five sons, the first became a [[monk]], the last two [[died]] in childhood. When [[Sadnaleg]] [[died]], [[Langdarma]] was bypassed as he was anti-Buddhist and [[hot]] tempered and the {{Wiki|royal}} power was given to [[Ralpacan]]. | ||
− | An impressive stone pillar with an inscription commemorating [[Sadnalegs]] stand in the burial ground of the [[Tibetan]] [[kings]] near '[[Phyong-rgas]]. It is partially illegible but confirms a number of historical events. It is of importance in dating [[Sadnalegs]]' reign as it states that warfare with [[China]] began when he took power. The {{Wiki|Tang Annals}} report that the {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Tibetans]] were fighting continuously between 799 and 803 CE, so it seems likely that [[Sadnalegs]] came to the [[throne]] c. 800–804 CE. | + | An impressive stone pillar with an inscription commemorating [[Sadnalegs]] stand in the burial ground of the [[Tibetan]] [[kings]] near '[[Phyong-rgas]]. It is partially illegible but confirms a number of historical events. It is of importance in dating [[Sadnalegs]]' [[reign]] as it states that warfare with [[China]] began when he took power. The {{Wiki|Tang Annals}} report that the {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Tibetans]] were fighting continuously between 799 and 803 CE, so it seems likely that [[Sadnalegs]] came to the [[throne]] c. 800–804 CE. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Trisong Detsen]] | [[Category:Trisong Detsen]] |
Revision as of 10:34, 18 November 2015
Sadnalegs or Tridé Songtsen (Wylie: Khri-lde-srong-btsan), was the youngest son of King Trisong Detsen of Tibet (reigned c. 800–815 CE – though various accounts give the beginning of his reign as 797 or 804 CE).
Trisong Detsen retired to live at Zungkar and handed power to his second son, Mune Tsenpo, in 797. From this point there is much confusion in the various historical sources. It seems there was a struggle for the succession after the death of Trisong Detsen. It is not clear when Trisong Detsen died, or for how long Mune Tsenpo reigned. It is said that Mune Tsenpo was poisoned by his mother who was jealous of his beautiful wife.
Whatever the case, both the Tang Annals and the Tibetan sources agree that, since Mune Tsenpo had no heirs, power passed to his younger brother, Sadnalegs, who was on the throne by 804 CE.
The other brother, Mutik Tsenpo, was apparently not considered for office as he had previously murdered a senior minister and had been banished to Lhodak Kharchu near the Bhutanese border.
As he was quite young when he came to the throne, Sadnalegs was assisted by four experienced ministers, two of whom were also Buddhist monks. They followed the policies of the previous kings. Sadnalegs had four wives from different Tibetan clans.
Support for Buddhism
Indian scholars were invited to Samye Monastery to help translate Buddhist texts. Sadnaleg had the temple of Skar-cung (Karchung) built near Lhasa. Due to opposition to Buddhism, the king called a meeting with delegates and vassals from all over the kingdom and drew up a document pledging support for Buddhism which was signed by all who attended. An inscribed pillar with an account of this pledge was erected in front of the Karchung which still exists and has been translated into English.
Political and military activities
Although Tibetan forces were fighting the Chinese between 799 and 803, with battles in Yanzhou, Linzhou, Weizhou, Yazhou and Suizhou, envoys began travelling regularly from 804 onwards between Lhasa and China, although no formal treaty was signed. When Emperor De Zong died in 805, Ralpacan sent gifts of gold, silver, cloth, oxen and horses for the funeral.
The Tibetan army continued to attack the Arabs to the west and, according to al-Ya'qubi, they besieged Samarkand, the capital of Transoxiana at the time. Finally, the Tibetan Governor of Turkestan presented a statue made of gold and precious stones to the Arab Caliph al-Ma'mun (r. 813–833). This statue was later sent to the Ka'ba in Mecca.
Death and succession
Sadnalegs probably died in 815 (though the Blue Annals give 814). He had five sons, the first became a monk, the last two died in childhood. When Sadnaleg died, Langdarma was bypassed as he was anti-Buddhist and hot tempered and the royal power was given to Ralpacan.
An impressive stone pillar with an inscription commemorating Sadnalegs stand in the burial ground of the Tibetan kings near 'Phyong-rgas. It is partially illegible but confirms a number of historical events. It is of importance in dating Sadnalegs' reign as it states that warfare with China began when he took power. The Tang Annals report that the Chinese and Tibetans were fighting continuously between 799 and 803 CE, so it seems likely that Sadnalegs came to the throne c. 800–804 CE.