Trimön
Encyclopedia
Trimön Shap-pe born Norbhu Wangyal (c.1874 - 1945) was a noted Tibetan
conservative politician
and governor and a financial secretary of Tibet (Tsi-pšn). He was one of the eminent officials involved in the search and recognition of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
in 1935.
although he lived for many years at Sechung House.
. In June of that year he was given the title of Theiji.In 1913-1914, he accompanied Lšnchen Shatra to India as his Assistant to the Tibetan Plenipotentiaries at the Simla Conference
and conversed with Lord Hardinge. When he returned to Tibet in 1914 he was appointed the title of Shap-pe.
Throughout the 1920s Trimön worked as the Commissioner in Eastern Tibet. His position ended in 1931 when Nga-pho Shap-pe was brought in to resume his role. Despite being a competent figure, with substantial literary knowledge, he was unpopular with the National Assembly and was widely reported to be very conservative, stern and arrogant. He was one of the victims of Lungshar
's plot which failed in the summer of 1934.
After the 13th Dalai Lama's death in 1933, in the summer of 1935, Trimön was amongst the eminent officials who set out with the kashag to find the reincarnated 14th Dalai Lama
. The search sent them across Tibet as well as visiting the customary Lhamo La-tso
several times, a lake where it was said to offer clues as to the whereabouts of the reborn Dalai Lama.
celebrations, Reting replied to Trimön, formally thanking him for his service to Tibet and granted him the estate Kaship Nubling.
At this time, concerns increasingly grew in regards to Trimön's mental state and his behaviour became increasingly eccentric. He was perceived to display occasional fits of insanity
. He was seen at the market in Lhasa wearing a white Shamthab (a lower dress worn by ascetic lamas) and playing music and dancing and was reported to have banged heavily on the doors of Jokhang
temple yelling for the monks to open it. He responded strangely to Reting's offer of Kaship Nubling and tried to garner support to be reninstated and there is much evidence to suggest that Trimön did not genuinely want to resign from the government but had become distressed with his position and the situation. Trimön resigned on the grounds that he would still be consulted to offer advice on important affairs. He remained suspicious of the Chinese until his death in 1945 as Reting's government grew increasingly weak after his departure.
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
conservative politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and governor and a financial secretary of Tibet (Tsi-pšn). He was one of the eminent officials involved in the search and recognition of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
in 1935.
Biography
He was the second son of the late Tsi-pa Sherab, a 6th rank official. He married into the Trimšn family and took the family name on inheriting the estates of his wife's father at Chetang, near LhasaLhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
although he lived for many years at Sechung House.
Career
In 1912, Trimön, despite no formal military training, was assigned to a post as Assistant Commanders-in-Chief of the Tibetan army during the Chinese conflict at LhasaLhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
. In June of that year he was given the title of Theiji.In 1913-1914, he accompanied Lšnchen Shatra to India as his Assistant to the Tibetan Plenipotentiaries at the Simla Conference
Simla Conference
The Simla Conference was a 1945 meeting between Viceroy Archibald Wavell and the major political leaders of India at Simla, India. Convened to agree on and approve the Wavell Plan for Indian self-government, it reached a potential agreement for the self-rule of India that provided separate...
and conversed with Lord Hardinge. When he returned to Tibet in 1914 he was appointed the title of Shap-pe.
Throughout the 1920s Trimön worked as the Commissioner in Eastern Tibet. His position ended in 1931 when Nga-pho Shap-pe was brought in to resume his role. Despite being a competent figure, with substantial literary knowledge, he was unpopular with the National Assembly and was widely reported to be very conservative, stern and arrogant. He was one of the victims of Lungshar
Lungshar
Tsipön Lungshar born Dorje Tsegyal was a noted Tibetan politician who attempted unsuccessfully to become the paramount figure of the Tibetan government in the 1930s, following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama....
's plot which failed in the summer of 1934.
After the 13th Dalai Lama's death in 1933, in the summer of 1935, Trimön was amongst the eminent officials who set out with the kashag to find the reincarnated 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
. The search sent them across Tibet as well as visiting the customary Lhamo La-tso
Lhamo La-tso
Lhamo La-tso or Lhamo Latso , the small oval 'Oracle Lake', is where senior Tibetan monks go for visions to assist in the discovery of reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas. Other pilgrims also come to seek visions...
several times, a lake where it was said to offer clues as to the whereabouts of the reborn Dalai Lama.
Resignation
During this time he grew increasingly affected by the government in Tibet and following the search for the new Dalai Lama ordered his nephew, Shakabpa while staying at Tiklo Monastery to write a letter tending his resignation from his position to the high council saying that "he had advanced in age and would like to resign and devote the remaining part of his life to his religious pursuits." The regent, the Fifth Reting Rinpoche attempted to get Trimön to change his mind and believed he should be promoted to lönchen as he had desired and stated he would also resign from the cabinet if Trimön quit. Trimön returned to Lhasa in October 1935 and despite Reting's words he resigned officially shortly before the Tibetan New Year in January 1936. Reting did not resign as he had promised and did not reply straight away, but after the LosarLosar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
celebrations, Reting replied to Trimön, formally thanking him for his service to Tibet and granted him the estate Kaship Nubling.
At this time, concerns increasingly grew in regards to Trimön's mental state and his behaviour became increasingly eccentric. He was perceived to display occasional fits of insanity
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
. He was seen at the market in Lhasa wearing a white Shamthab (a lower dress worn by ascetic lamas) and playing music and dancing and was reported to have banged heavily on the doors of Jokhang
Jokhang
The Jokhang, , also called the Qokang Monastery, Jokang, Jokhang Temple, Jokhang Monastery or Zuglagkang , is located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa. For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is presently controlled by the Gelug school...
temple yelling for the monks to open it. He responded strangely to Reting's offer of Kaship Nubling and tried to garner support to be reninstated and there is much evidence to suggest that Trimön did not genuinely want to resign from the government but had become distressed with his position and the situation. Trimön resigned on the grounds that he would still be consulted to offer advice on important affairs. He remained suspicious of the Chinese until his death in 1945 as Reting's government grew increasingly weak after his departure.