Tibetan History in Tang Dynasty

The Society of Tibet in Tang Dynasty

At the beginning of 7th century, Sontzen Gampo, the son of Langri Lunzan, succeeded his father in the post of Zanpu, and moved the capital to Luoxie( Lhasa). He also surrendered Supi, conquered Yangtong, and set up a united slavery Tubo kingdom.

In order to maintain the slave owners' benefits, with the help of Ge'er Dongzan, Sontzen Gampo made cruel laws. "Although the crime is small, the punishment may be gouging out eyes, cutting off the feet, or cutting off the nose, or use belt as whip. The prison is several zhang deep. If the prisoners go into it, he will be out in 2-3 years." These laws clearly stipulate the social status of all levels, the governing privilege of the slave owners. Sontzen Gampo paid much attention to the development of Tubo's society and economy, so he made the united cambist. He greatly rewarded reclaiming wasteland, constructed the projects for stagnant water drainage or protection of drought, repaired business roads, protected traveling businessmen, and actively developed trade. It was Zenguan period of Tang Dynasty when Sontzen Gampo was in power. The Tubo loyal family paid much attention to the high development of Tang's economy and culture. Sontzen Gampo adopted a series of measures, actively enhanced close relationship with Tang, and greatly assimilated the advanced Han culture in central China.

The Marriage of Sontzen Gampo with Wencheng princess

In 641, Sontzen Gampo married Wencheng princess, the daughter of Li Shimin, Tang Taizong, which settled the nephew and uncle's friendly relationship between Tubo and Tang Dynasty for about 200 years. In 649, Tang Dynasty gave Sontzen Gampo the title of "fu ma wei" (the emperor's son-in-law) and "xi hai jun wang". And Sontzen Gampo wrote letters to pledge loyalty to Tang Dynasty. Besides, Sontzen Gampo also took silkworms. He invited wine-makers, the craftsmen of making rollers, paper and ink from Tang Dynasty. He also sent the noble children to study in Tang and hired the Han scholars to ghostwrite the classic works, and present letters. The close political contact, the cultural and economical communications between Tubo and Tang created beneficial conditions for Tubo's social development, which enhanced the friendly unity of two nations' people, having positive and profound influence.

The Inner Intensions and Contradictions of Tibet

Since the middle of 8th century, the inner contradictions of Tubo intensified day by day. Because they waged war frequently, the burden of war greatly surpassed the real power. People were tired of military service, and they suffered from famine, and they were worn out, so they revolted frequently. In the inner part of governing class, the generals at the boundary maintained an army and defied orders from the central government. They went on a punitive expedition and escaped the control of the king. The monarchy seized all the power of state, excluded others or even interfered the internal affairs of the loyal family. The contradictions between the loyal family and the nobles, and the monarchies were intensified day after day. Because of the strike of different contradictions, Tubo kingdom gradually turned from flourish to decline. In order to strength the concentration of authority, Tubo kingdom, which declined, was eager to build new friendly relationship with Tang.

Chang'an Meeting between Tibet (Tubo) and Tang

In 821, Cire Bajin, Zanpu, sent officials to Chang'an to ask for sovereign meetings three times. After the An Shi Rebellion, Tang Dynasty was also in a bad situation, so it agreed with the meeting requirement of Tubo. Tang Muzong ordered 17 officials including the prime minister and Lun Naluo, the meeting official of Tubo, to hold solemn ceremony about the meeting in Chang'an. The second year, Tang Dynasty sent Liu Yuanding and other people to seek meeting with Tubo. This meeting was held between the first year year of Changqin in Tang Dynasty and the second year, which was called " Chang'an Meeting". The two sides of the meeting reaffirmed "he nephew and uncle's friendly relationship" in history. They decided that they guarded their own nation, and never invaded others. There are 3 piers of " meeting stele between Tubo and Tang" to record its content. One of them stands in front of Jokhang Temple. After the meeting of Changqing, the quarrel between Tubo and Tang ended basically. The united friendly relationship between Tibet and Han nationality developped at a further step. The process that Tibet established feudal serf system is also the process that Buddhism rearise in Tibet and closely integrated with mundane feudal power.