The Mysterious Sixth

The sixth Dalai Lama was Tsangyang Gyatso, whose name means ‘Ocean of Melodious Songs’. He is thought to have lived from 1683 to 1706. He took over as Dalai Lama under very unusual circumstances. The fifth Dalai Lama has died during the construction of the Potala but his death was concealed by the regent for some 15 years to ensure completion of the work (the fifth Dalai Lama was replaced by a double and was said to be engaged in long meditation retreats). The Sixth Dalai Lama took over as adolescent, not an infant like his predecessors. He did not take any celibacy vows and was never fully ordained as a lama. He showed little interest in either his political or religious duty. His passion lay elsewhere. He was a prolific rake – no woman in Lhasa was said to be safe from his indulgences:

I dwell apart in the Potala
A God on earth am I
But in the town the chief of rogues
And boisterous revelry

Lukhang Temple has been variously described as the Sixth Dalai Lama’s personal retreat, and as his favourite trysting place. He was said to sneak out of a back gate of the Potala to meet his lovers. Apart from his love of wine and women, he was renowned as a melodious singer of love songs, and writer of romantic lyrics:

Drops of rain wash away
The love songs written in
Black and white
But love, though unwritten,
Remains long after, in the heart

Despite his behaviour, the Sixth was revered by the people, who came to the conclusion that the living Buddha has two bodies – one which stayed in the Potala and meditated, and the other that got rotten drunk and chased Lhasa women. The Sixth disappeared under mysterious circumstances at the age of 23. One account claims that he had a song by a special lover, and that high lamas – fearing the office of the Dalai Lama would become hereditary – drove the Sixth into exile and imprisoned his lover and their son. Another account claims he was murdered at Litang.

Shared from a book titled ’Tibet’ – by Michael Buckley.