Norzang
Encyclopedia
Norzang in full Norbu Zangpo (Nor bu bzang po), was the founder of the power of the Rinpungpa
Dynasty in Central Tibet.
fief in Tsang
(West Central Tibet). Namkha Gyalpo was one of the principal ministers of the Phagmodrupa dynasty
, and the patron of the Tsangrong monastery. Norzang inherited his functions and completed the construction of the Chamchen temple. In religious matters he favoured the Sakya
and Kagyud sects of Buddhism. According to a somewhat doubtful story a Sakya cleric, the Choje of Ngor
, gave religious instructions to Norzang in return for the promise that the Rinpung lord would fulfil three wishes of the Choje. These were to force all members of the rival Geden sect to yield to Sakya, to put an end to the construction of a monastery directed by Gedun Drub (posthumously counted as the first Dalai Lama
), and to supply provisions for the female servants of the new monastery at Ngor. Norzang refused the requests since they would cause disturbances.
died in 1432 the succession of the Phagmodrupa thone was in doubt. The influential Norzang recommended that a revered abbot who was a member of the dynasty, the Chenga of Thel, should make the decision. The latter pointed out Drakpa Jungne
, nephew of the deceased ruler. In 1434 the old Chenga himself died and the Phagmodrupa were wrecked by a violent internal conflict when Drakpa Jungne’s father Sangye Gyaltsen tried to secure power at the expense of his own son. The disturbances enabled the Rinpungpa to take control over the strategic town Shigatse
in Tsang in 1435. The place was headed by Norzang’s son Dondup Dorje. Seeing this as an act of open defiance against the Phagmodrupa, the elites of Tsang began to ally with the Rinpungpa. Norzang brought various Tibetan petty princes under his authority.
(1432-45) and Kunga Lekpa
(1448-81). A Rinpungpa lady was given to Kunga Lekpa as his wife. However, the marriage was unhappy, and Kunga Lekpa felt dissatisfied with Norzang’s behaviour when he made a tour in Tsang. Norzang had five sons, namely Upasika, Kunzang
, Dondup Dorje, Tsokye Dorje
and Shakya Gyaltsen. He died in 1466, and his death caused a temporary downturn in the fortunes of the Rinpungpa.
Rinpungpa
Rinpungpa was a Tibetan regime that dominated much of Western Tibet and some of Central Tibet between 1440 and 1565...
Dynasty in Central Tibet.
Religious activities
Norzang was the son of Namkha Gyalpo, the chief of the RinpungRinbung County
Rinbung County is a county at the northeastern boundary of the Xigazê Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region.-Settlements:*Ramba...
fief in Tsang
Ü-Tsang
Ü-Tsang , or Tsang-Ü, is one of the three traditional provinces of Tibet, the other two being Amdo and Kham. Geographically Ü-Tsang covered the central and western portions of the Tibetan cultural area, including the Tsang-po watershed, the western districts surrounding and extending past Mount...
(West Central Tibet). Namkha Gyalpo was one of the principal ministers of the Phagmodrupa dynasty
Phagmodrupa dynasty
The Phagmodrupa dynasty or Pagmodru of Tibet was established by Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen at the end of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Tai Situ came from the monastic fief Phagmodru , which was originally founded as a hermitage in 1158 by the famous Kagyu scholar Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo...
, and the patron of the Tsangrong monastery. Norzang inherited his functions and completed the construction of the Chamchen temple. In religious matters he favoured the Sakya
Sakya
The Sakya school is one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the others being the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Gelug...
and Kagyud sects of Buddhism. According to a somewhat doubtful story a Sakya cleric, the Choje of Ngor
Ngor
Ngor or Ngor Êwam Qoidain is the name of a monastery in the Ü-Tsang province of Central Tibet, about one and half hours drive from Shigatse, and is the Sakya school's second most important goinba...
, gave religious instructions to Norzang in return for the promise that the Rinpung lord would fulfil three wishes of the Choje. These were to force all members of the rival Geden sect to yield to Sakya, to put an end to the construction of a monastery directed by Gedun Drub (posthumously counted as the first Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
), and to supply provisions for the female servants of the new monastery at Ngor. Norzang refused the requests since they would cause disturbances.
Taking power
When the king Drakpa GyaltsenGongma Drakpa Gyaltsen
Gongma Drakpa Gyaltsen was a King of Tibet who ruled in 1385–1432. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty, which was the leading regime in Tibet between 1354 and 1435...
died in 1432 the succession of the Phagmodrupa thone was in doubt. The influential Norzang recommended that a revered abbot who was a member of the dynasty, the Chenga of Thel, should make the decision. The latter pointed out Drakpa Jungne
Drakpa Jungne
Drakpa Jungne was a king of Tibet who ruled in 1432–1445. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the leading regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435, and exerted some influence until the early 17th century...
, nephew of the deceased ruler. In 1434 the old Chenga himself died and the Phagmodrupa were wrecked by a violent internal conflict when Drakpa Jungne’s father Sangye Gyaltsen tried to secure power at the expense of his own son. The disturbances enabled the Rinpungpa to take control over the strategic town Shigatse
Shigatse
Shigatse is a county-level city and the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region , People's Republic of China, with a population of 92000, about southwest of Lhasa and northwest of Gyantse...
in Tsang in 1435. The place was headed by Norzang’s son Dondup Dorje. Seeing this as an act of open defiance against the Phagmodrupa, the elites of Tsang began to ally with the Rinpungpa. Norzang brought various Tibetan petty princes under his authority.
Later years
In spite of the violent expansion of Norzang’s power, he continued to pay formal homage to the Phagmodrupa monarchs Drakpa JungneDrakpa Jungne
Drakpa Jungne was a king of Tibet who ruled in 1432–1445. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty which was the leading regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435, and exerted some influence until the early 17th century...
(1432-45) and Kunga Lekpa
Kunga Lekpa
Kunga Lekpa was a King of Tibet who ruled in 1448-1481. He belonged to the Phagmodrupa dynasty, which was the leading political regime in Tibet from 1354 to 1435, and retained a certain political status until the early 17th century...
(1448-81). A Rinpungpa lady was given to Kunga Lekpa as his wife. However, the marriage was unhappy, and Kunga Lekpa felt dissatisfied with Norzang’s behaviour when he made a tour in Tsang. Norzang had five sons, namely Upasika, Kunzang
Kunzang
Kunzang , in full Kuntu Zangpo , was a prince of the Rinpungpa Dynasty that wielded power in Tsang ....
, Dondup Dorje, Tsokye Dorje
Tsokye Dorje
Tsokye Dorje was a regent of Tibet who ruled in 1491-1499. He belonged to the Rinpungpa family and headed the central government in Nêdong during the minority of the heir of the Phagmodrupa dynasty.-Rinpungpa ascendency:...
and Shakya Gyaltsen. He died in 1466, and his death caused a temporary downturn in the fortunes of the Rinpungpa.