Songtsen Gampo [Tib.: srong btsan sgam po - སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ་] was one of the most significant rulers in Tibetan history. He likely reigned from about 617 to 649 AD and is considered the founder of the Tibetan Empire. Under his rule, numerous principalities were unified, and Tibet developed into a major regional power.
He is particularly known for:
- The unification of Tibet: He brought large parts of the Tibetan Plateau under a single central rule.
- The introduction of Buddhism: Although the ancient Bon religion remained widespread, Songtsen Gampo promoted Buddhism. In the Tibetan tradition, he is revered as a key figure in its spread.
- His marriages to the Nepalese princess Bhrikuti and the Chinese Tang princess Wencheng, both of whom were Buddhists, played an important role in this.
- Development of the Tibetan script: According to Tibetan tradition, he sent scholars to India, which led to the development of the Tibetan script. This made administration, literature, and religious texts possible.
- Construction of significant temples: He is credited with founding the Jokhang Temple and the Ramoche Temple in Lhasa, which remain among the most important shrines of Tibetan Buddhism to this day.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Songtsen Gampo is not only revered as a king but is also regarded as a manifestation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara [Chenrezig]. Historians distinguish between his well-documented political achievements and the religious legends that arose later.