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Sans-rgyas rgya-mtsho ( 1653-1705) was the de facto ruler of Tibet from 1679 to 1705. He wrote, among other works, a three volume supplement to the three volume Autobiography of the 5th Dalai Lama ( 1617-82). He numbered the 3 supplementary volumes 4,5,6 instead of 1,2,3, in order to keep up the continuity with the Autobiography.
The present translation is of the first half of the fourth volume. It is interesting for the four main reasons: First the account of the lineage of Avalokitesvara or the previous births and present birth of the 5th Dalai Lam, ranging from 36 Indian predecessors, to the Dharmarajas of Tiber, the bka-gdams-pa Bromston 1004-64, rNin-ma-pa figures such as Nan-ral ( 1136-1203) and Chos-dban ( 212-70), the Sa-skya-pa Phangs-pa Lama 1235-80 and, of course 5 Lalai Lamas. Secondly, while dealing with the 11th aspect of the 5th Dalai Lamas life ( the turning of the wheel of religion), the author gives us a vivid picture of how the Dalai Lama consolidated his power by confiscating non-dGe-lugs-pa monasteries and lands and converting them to the dGe-lugs-pa.
Thirdly, in his diary of the last four months of the year Iron - Bird he gives us an insights into the vast income derived by the Dalai Lama from the offerings of the pious pilgrims to the court of the Dalai Lame ( pp.279-303). Fourthly, in his account of his ministry to the Dalai Lama, the author, in effect, continues the theme of consolidation by his account of the grants and endowments made to loyal and faithful establishments and individuals ( pp 304-41).
Sans-rgyas rgya-mtshos reference to the 5th Dalai Lama as my father ( p 264) , to his mother ( p. 272) to their sons and to himself as the eldest son ( p. 266) will, also, be found interesting.
The translation of the rest of the Fourth Volume, dealing with the whole of the year Water-Dog ( 8 February 1682-27 January 1683), including the death of the 5th Dalai Lama on 7 April 1682, will appear in due course.
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