“The Bronze Tripod” of Qing Power in Tibet and the position of the 5th Panchen Lama

Abstract

Chinese historiography, concerning the period of Qing administrations strengthening in the Tibetan region, shows the concept 三足鼎立 (sānz dĭngl), which literally means to establish a bronze tripod or figuratively tripartite balance of power. The Panchen Lama incarnation lineage become one of the three pillars of Qing power in Tibet by the middle of the XVIII century. The 5th Panchen Lama Lobsang Yeshe got many privileges from Kangxi and Yongzheng emperors, was invited to Beijing and even considered to be the regent for the Dalai Lama VII. Lobsang Yeshe played a mediating role in a number of internal and external conflicts, recognized the incarnations of the three Dalai Lamas, enhance the government in Tashilhunpo, and generally played a prominent role in the history of Tibeto-Qing relations.

Keywords

• panchen lama
• tibet
• tashilhunpo
• qing government
• tibeto-qing relations