Themes of the Post Classical Era, Rise and fragmentation of new states Classical ideas spread to peripheral areas Creation of syncretic religions and cultures Regional and afro-eurasian economic integration “southerinization” What internal and external factors linked Tibet to the world?
The Tibetan Salt trade Why is salt important to Tibetans and their trade partners? Where else did salt link regions to spread culture?
Tea bricks The Horse -Tea route
How did the arrival of Buddhism change Tibet? Diffusion of Buddhism to Tibet circa 8th century
State-building in Tibet, The Three Great Kings --Songtsen Gampo (629-49) united Tibetan kingdoms adopted Sanskrit text also married a Chinese & Indian princesses who promoted Buddhism Courtesy Dr. Charles Ramble
State-building in Tibet, The Three Great Kings --Trisong Detsen (755-97) invited Indian scholars who linked Tibetan kings & history to mythological Indic deities founded 1st monastery sacked Chang-An, demanded tribute Expelled Chinese Chan scholars --Ralpachen (815-36) signed treaty with China sponsored translation rules Om mani peme hum
Tibet & contemporaneous states
State fragmentation--why? Anti-Buddhist reaction Ralpachen’s brother reinstated traditional beliefs & is assassinated by a Buddhist monk Tibet fragmented until 1200s -monasteries dominate life -Buddhist revival in 1300s -different “schools”emerge dominated by specific families Compare & Contrast to religious tensions in other states during period Tibetan tanka
Tibetan Buddhism: a study in syncretism All photos courtesy of Dr. Charles Ramble
Tibet and the Mongols 1207 Genghis Khan sends envoys seeking tribute from Tibet. When Tibetans stop paying tribute, Mongols invade 1247 “priest-patron” relationship established with Sakya lamas (red hats) Kublai Khan promotes Buddhism and uses lamas to administer Tibet Tibetan revolt ends Mongol rule/ precursor to China’s Red Turban revolt Civil war / monastic rivalries
Trans-Asian Lamaist Culture w/ Lhasa as center China Tibet Persia Mongols Compare/Contrast Tibet to Timbuktu