Princess Wencheng. More than 1,300 years ago, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty left the prosperous capital Chang'an (today's northwest of Xi'an, Shaanxi) and traveled about 3,000 kilometers westward. After going through many difficulties and dangers, she came to the snowy plateau and met the King of Tubo Songtsan. Ganbu's marriage ushered in a new era of good relations between Tang and Tibet. The story of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng is still widely circulated among Chinese and Tibetan people.
At the beginning of the seventh century, after several years of war in the Central Plains, Li Yuan (Tang Gaozu) and Li Shimin (Tang Taizong) and their sons established the Tang Empire unprecedented in Chinese history with Chang'an as its capital in 618. It was very powerful and became the center of civilization in East Asia at that time. It had a strong impact on the livelihood of surrounding ethnic groups and tribes. Many ethnic groups and tribes repaired with the Tang Dynasty one after another, or became vassals, or paid tribute and requested titles, which promoted the relationship between the Han and other ethnic minorities. comminicate.
In the eighth year of Zhenguan (634), Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Songtsen Gampo ascended the throne as Zampu (king) of Tubo (the ancestor of the Tibetan people). He was only thirteen years old and relied on Lunkeer, Shangnang and other assistants. Minister, suppress the rebellion and unify Tubo. When the Tang Empire dominated the Central Plains, Songtsen Gampo also dominated the snow-covered plateau, completed the annexation of some small countries, established its capital in Luosuo (today's Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region), established a unified Tubo dynasty, and actively sought to merge with the Tang Dynasty. Build close relationships. Beginning in 634 AD, he twice sent the eloquent, clever and witty Prime Minister Lu Dongzan as envoy to Chang'an to propose marriage to the Tang Emperor. In 641 AD, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty finally agreed to Songtsen Gambo's request for marriage and agreed to marry the clan's daughter, Princess Wencheng, to him. So Princess Wencheng, accompanied by the Tang and Tibetan envoys and attendants, embarked on the long Tang-Tibet ancient road. There are many records in Tibetan folk tales about the legend of Ludongzan's mission to Chang'an, and how he used his intelligence and wisdom to overcome the difficulties set by the Tang emperor and finally married Songtsen Gampo, the beautiful and kind-hearted Princess Wencheng. .
Songtsen Gampo was very happy that his long-cherished wish came true. He personally led his army to Baihai (now Maduo County, Qinghai) to greet him. On the banks of Jaling Lake and Eling Lake, not far from the source of the Yellow River, Songtsen Gampo built the "Baihai Pavilion". An interracial couple spent their bridal night in this beautiful place.
When Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng went to Yushu (in today's Qinghai Province), they saw the beautiful scenery and pleasant climate. They had traveled a long distance and needed rest, so they lived in a valley. moon. In her spare time, Princess Wencheng took out the grain seeds and rapeseeds given to her by her father and worked with craftsmen to teach Yushu people planting methods, flour grinding, wine making and other techniques. The Yushu people were very grateful to Princess Wencheng. When the princess wanted to leave and continue to Lhasa, they were reluctant to leave. The local Tibetans still preserved the ruins of her counting house, carved her actions and appearance on stones, and worshiped her every year. In 710 AD, during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty, another princess of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Jincheng, also married the King of Tibet. When passing by, a temple was built for Princess Wencheng and named "Princess Wencheng Temple".
When Princess Wencheng arrived in Lhasa, people sang and danced with joy to welcome her arrival.
At that time, Buddhism was prevalent in the Tang Dynasty, but there was no Buddha in Tibet. Princess Wencheng was a devout Buddhist. She brought pagodas, scriptures and Buddhist statues to Tibet, determined to build temples and promote Buddhism. She made the goats carry soil to fill the pond and built the Jokhang Temple. After the Jokhang Temple was built, Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo personally planted willow trees outside the temple gate, which became the famous "Tang Liu" in later generations. The famous "Nephew Alliance Monument", also known as the "Changqing Alliance Monument", stands next to Tangliu. The statue of Sakyamuni now enshrined in the middle of the main hall of Jokhang Temple was also brought by Princess Wencheng from Chang'an. In the side halls on both sides of the main hall, there are statues of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, which are very exquisite and vivid. It's just that their faces are covered in golden pimples because there are so many people giving alms and money.
Later, Princess Wencheng built Ramoche Temple. From then on, Buddhism slowly began to spread in Tibet. Princess Wencheng also named the mountains around Lhasa after eight treasures, including Lotus, Umbrella, Conch, Vajra, Victory Building, Aquarius, and Goldfish. These mountain names are still in use today.
On the one hand, Princess Wencheng spread Buddhism and prayed for Tibetan people to eliminate disasters. At the same time, she also took out grain seeds and rapeseeds and taught people to plant them. Corn, potatoes, broad beans, and rape can adapt to the plateau climate and grow well. Wheat, on the other hand, continued to mutate, and finally grew into the highland barley that Tibetans like. Princess Wencheng also brought chariots, horses, mules, camels, and related living technology and medical works, which promoted the social progress of Tubo.
Songtsen Gampo liked the virtuous and talented Princess Wencheng very much. The Potala Palace was specially built for the princess. It has 1,000 palaces and is magnificent. But it was later destroyed by lightning and war. After two expansions in the 17th century, it formed its current scale. The main building of the Potala Palace has 13 floors, is 117 meters high, covers an area of ??more than 360,000 square meters, and is majestic. There are a large number of rich murals preserved in the Potala Palace, including the story of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan marriage envoy Garlu Dongzan, the difficulties and obstacles Princess Wencheng encountered on her way to Tibet, and the warm welcome she received when she arrived in Lhasa. Scene etc. These murals have exquisite compositions, lifelike characters and bright colors. Behind the Tibetan ruins of the Potala Palace is the room where Songtsen Gampo used to practice meditation. Colorful statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, Ludongtsen, etc. are displayed on the walls.
After Songtsen Gampo married Princess Wencheng, the relationship between the Central Plains and Tibet was extremely friendly. For more than 200 years, there were few wars and frequent exchanges of envoys and merchants. Songtsen Gampo admired the culture of the Central Plains so much that he took off his felt fur and wore silk qi instead, and sent the children of the Tibetan nobles to study in Chang'an Traditional Chinese Studies. The Tang Dynasty also continued to send various craftsmen to Tubo to teach various techniques.
In 649 AD, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty passed away. After the new emperor Gaozong Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, he sent envoys to Tibet to express his condolences. Songtsen Gampo was appointed Prince Consort, and he was granted the title of King of Xihai County. Songtsen Gampo happily accepted the title of official title from the Tang Dynasty, and wrote to Situ Chang Sun Wuji and others: "When the emperor first ascends the throne, if there are any disloyal people among his ministers, he should send troops to the country to conquer them." At the same time, he also presented gold, silver and jewelry. Fifteen kinds of requests were placed in front of the coffin of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to express deep condolences and remembrance. Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty also carved a stone statue of him in front of the Zhaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to show his praise.
Songtsen Gampo’s heroic and heroic strategy to unify Tibet promoted the political, economic and cultural development of Tibet, strengthened the close relationship between Tibetans and Han people, and made outstanding contributions to the historical development of China, a unified multi-ethnic country. contribute. Princess Wencheng knew the book and was polite, did not avoid hardships, and married Tibet. She made a historic contribution to promoting economic and cultural exchanges between Tang and Tibet and enhancing the close, friendly, and cooperative relationship between the Han and Tibetan people.