Mountain Melodies: Grandma's Haunting Ballad Echoes Through the Valley
This is Grandma Rinzin from Tshangkha Village, Trongsa, BHUTAN singing a ballad about Azhi Gyasa a.ka. princess Wencheng, one of the two wives of King Songtshen Gampo of Tibet (7th Century).
A little bit about Princess Wencheng:
Princess Wencheng, also known as Gyasa or Tritsun, was a Chinese princess who married King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. Her marriage to the Tibetan king is considered a significant event in Tibetan history and is associated with the spread of Buddhism in Tibet.
Princess Wencheng was sent to Tibet as part of a diplomatic alliance between the Tang Dynasty of China and the Tibetan Empire. The marriage is believed to have taken place in 641 AD when Princess Wencheng was around 16 years old. This union is said to have played a crucial role in fostering cultural and political ties between Tibet and China.
One of the most famous aspects of Princess Wencheng's marriage to King Songtsen Gampo is the story of her bringing a statue of the Buddha to Tibet as part of her dowry. The Jowo Rinpoche, a revered statue of the Buddha, was considered a sacred object, and its arrival in Tibet is seen as a key event in the propagation of Buddhism in the region.
Princess Wencheng is credited with contributing to the development of Tibetan culture and the introduction of Buddhism to the Tibetan people. While historical records may not provide a complete picture of her life, she is remembered in Tibetan history for her role in fostering cultural exchange between Tibet and China during a crucial period.
17 ноя 2023
