The Song of the Queen of Spring or A History of Tibet (Nag-dBan Blo-bZan rGya-m TSHo Fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet)

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The History of Tibet by Nag-dBan Blo-bZań rGya-mTSHO, the fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet (1617-82), was completed on 14 November 1643. It celebrates the Dalai Lama's coming to power in Tibet in 1642. He sees this event as a new spring in the history of Tibet, to celebrate which he wrote The Song of the Queen of Spring or A History of Tibet. The notes by the translator, Zahiruddin Ahmad, add to our understanding of the text. For instance, while commenting on the relationship established between the Mongolian Qubilai Qayan (reigned 1260-94) and the 'Phags-Pa Lama (1235-80), the seventh head of the Sa-sKya -Pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism which became the model for all future relationship between the rulers of China and Tibet the translator shows (in Notes 734 and 739) that the relationship was essentially a personal, religious one. This means that the present-day Chinese claims to "Chinese sovereignity" - or even "Chinese suzerainty" in Tibet "since the thirteenth century" are not supported by historical facts.

Zahiruddin Ahmad was born in Calcutta and educated in universities of Calcutta, London and Oxford. He is the author of (1) Sino-Tibetan Relations in the Seventeenth Century (Rome, 1970), (2) A History of Tibet by Nag-dBan Blo-bZań rGya-mTSHo, the fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet, translated from Tibetan, (Indiana University, 1995). (3) Sańs-rGyas-mTSHO, Life of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Vol. IV, Part I. (New Delhi, International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan, 1999. Śatapitaka Series, 392) and (4) An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy in India and Tibet (New Delhi, International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan, 2007. Śatapițaka Series, 618).

The full title of the History of Tibet by Nag-dBan Blo-bZan Gya-mTSHo, the fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet (1617-82), completed on 14 November 1643, is given in the colophon as follows:

Gans Ris bsKor Ba'i Jons Su mChog gSum Dam Par gTan Gyi sKyabs Su "DZin Cin/ Nam 'Dren Zax gTSań Sras Po'i bstan Pa Rin Po Che La Phud Dud Sogs Bla Na Med Par bKur Ba'i Sa La sPyod Pa'i mTHo Ris Kyi rGyal Blon Nams gTSo Bor brlod Pa'i Deb THer rDZogs IDan gžon Nu'i dGa' sTon dPyid Kyi rGyal Mo'i Glu dByans.

The Song of the Queen of Spring, celebrating the Prince of the Age of Fulfilment, being the Records speaking, principally, of the kings and ministers, who (descended) from heaven to rule on earth; who honoured, with honour than which there was no higher, the precious teaching of the leader (the Buddha), the son of Suddhodana; and who held firmly to (seeking) refuge in the Three Holy Jewels, in this land surrounded by snowy mountains.