Ngawang Namgyal (Rinpungpa)

Ngawang Namgyal (Nga dbang rnam rgyal) (fl. 16th century) was a prince of the Rinpungpa Dynasty that dominated Tsang in West Central Tibet between 1435 and 1565.

The succession

Ngawang Namgyal was the son of Tsokye Dorje and the grandson of the founder of the dynasty's fortune, Norzang.^[1] He is first mentioned in 1510, when his father died. At this time the Rinpungpa had a dominating role in the politics of Central Tibet and also held suzerainty over Guge in western Tibet.^[2] The leader of the family was Ngawang Namgyal's cousin Donyo Dorje. The Phagmodrupa dynasty, the actual monarchs (gongmas) of Tibet, had been reduced to relative insignificance. However, since 1509 a conflict had arisen between the Rinpungpa and the young and able Phagmodrupa gongma Ngawang Tashi Drakpa. When the funeral for Tsokye Dorje were still going on in 1510, Donyo Dorje ordered Ngawang Namgyal to lead a military incursion to Gyeladring, which was opposed by the Phagmodrupa. A reconciliation between the two princely families followed, but in 1512 the powerful Donyo Dorje died without leaving a son who could succeed him. In his will he pointed out Zilnonpa of Nakartse, of another family, as his successor.^[3] Zilnonpa is occasionally mentioned in the sources up to 1538. However, in the decades after 1512 Ngawang Namgyal appears as a military leader of the Rinpungpa, sometimes referred as dsongpon (vassal lord) and foremost minister under the gongma.^[4]

Decline of military power

Ngawang Namgyal and Zilnonpa were far less successful than their predecessor Donyo Dorje. In 1515 the simmering hostility between the Rinpungpa and Phagmodrupa erupted, and the former were worsted in a series of clashes. The fief Gyakhartse, which had hitherto sided with the Rinpungpa, switched sides and took some territories from the latter.^[5] The forces of Ngawang Namgyal were expelled from the Lhasa area in 1517, meaning that the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism could celebrate the Monlam (prayer) festival for the first time in 20 years.^[6] A settlement was made in 1518. The gongma conferred formal investiture on Zilnonpa as dsongpon (vassal lord) of Rinpung, the original home of the family. In that way the Phagmodrupa regained some of their former authority in Ü (East Central Tibet), while the Rinpungpa remained dominant in Tsang. Fresh troubles between Ü and Tsang broke out in 1538, although the rough balance of power remained.^[7] Ngawang Namgyal to an extent made good his losses through acquisitions in other directions. Thus, Sengetse in Tsang, Latod and Lho came under his authority.^[8]

Cultural efforts

In spite of his varying political fortunes, Ngawang Namgyal was reputed to be a prominent albeit haughty warrior and scholar. He engaged in the so-called five lesser sciences and sixty-four arts (literary skills, astronomy, performing arts, etc.). He introduced the custom of wearing cloths and ornaments of the ancient Tibetan kings (the rinchen gyencha custom) during larger ceremonies at Rinpung. The renowned large silk painting of Ngak Drupma was made during his time.^[9] The rule of Ngawang Namgyal supposed lasted until c. 1550.^[10] He had three sons of whom Dondup Tseten Dorje and Ngawang Jigme Drakpa succeeded him in turn. After them the power of the Rinpungpa came to an end.

References

1. ^ Giuseppe Tucci, Tibetan Painted Scrolls, Rome 1949, p. 642.
2. ^ R. Vitali, The kingdoms of Gu.ge Pu.hrang. Dharamsala, p. 536.
3. ^ Giuseppe Tucci, Deb t'er dMar po gSar ma, Rome 1971, pp. 229-30.
4. ^ Sarat Chandra Das, 'Contributions on the Religion, History, etc., of Tibet', Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 12 1881, p. 246.
5. ^ Giuseppe Tucci, 1971, p. 231.
6. ^ Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa, Tibet. A Political History, Yale 1967, p. 88; Wang Furen & Suo Wenqing, Highlights of Tibetan History, Beijing 1984, p. 85.
7. ^ Giuseppe Tucci, 1971, pp. 230-33.
8. ^ Giuseppe Tucci, 1949, p. 642; Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa, One Hundred Thousand Moons, 2009, p. 278; Sarat Chandra Das, 1881, p. 246.
9. ^ Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa, 2009, p. 278.
10. ^ This is the date in Hugh E. Richardson, Tibet and its History, Boston & London 1984, Appendix, chronological table, p. 307. Since his son Dondup Tseten Dorje is mentioned under 1549, his demise may have occurred a little earlier than that.