Sixth Dalai Lama

Tsangyang Gyatso (1683–1706) was the sixth Dalai Lama, a Tibetan Buddhist leader and poet whose short life unfolded amid political conflict in Tibet.

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Desi Sangye Gyatso: A Tibetan regent who governed during the Fifth Dalai Lama’s later years and managed the recognition of his successor. He concealed the Fifth Dalai Lama’s death and directed Tsangyang Gyatso’s early education.
Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama: A collection of Tibetan love songs and devotional verse attributed to Tsangyang Gyatso. These poems are the principal source of his enduring literary reputation.
Ganden Phodrang: The Tibetan government established by the Fifth Dalai Lama and based at the Potala Palace. Its leadership concealed the vacancy in the Dalai Lama’s office while Tsangyang Gyatso grew up.
Battle of Lhasa (1706): The 1706 conflict in which Lha-bzang Khan defeated forces loyal to Desi Sangye Gyatso and consolidated control of Lhasa. Its outcome cleared the way for Tsangyang Gyatso’s removal.
Lha-bzang Khan: A Khoshut ruler who seized control of Tibet and challenged the authority of the regent and Dalai Lama. He deposed Tsangyang Gyatso and sent him toward Beijing in 1706.
Tibetan poetry: Poetry composed in Tibetan languages and literary traditions, encompassing religious, courtly, and popular forms. Tsangyang Gyatso’s songs belong to a literary tradition that crosses devotional and romantic themes.
Potala Palace: A palace and former seat of Tibetan government in Lhasa, built and expanded under the Fifth Dalai Lama. It was the political and religious center associated with Tsangyang Gyatso’s enthronement.
Tibetan civil war (1705–1706): A conflict in Tibet in which Lha-bzang Khan defeated the forces of Desi Sangye Gyatso. The war ended the regent’s rule and left the Dalai Lama vulnerable to deposition.
Fifth Dalai Lama: Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617–1682), the Dalai Lama who established the Ganden Phodrang government in Tibet. His death was kept secret for years while the sixth Dalai Lama was identified and raised.
Tibetan Buddhism: A form of Buddhism that developed in Tibet, combining Mahayana teachings, Vajrayana practices, and distinct monastic institutions. His role as Dalai Lama placed him within Tibet’s Buddhist religious and political order.