Yarlung dynasty

Tibetan plaque, Yarlung dynasty, 600-800 (Collection Al Thani, Paris)

Yarlung dynasty (T. yar klungs) refers to a ruling dynasty of Tibet that began in the Yarlung Valley during the proto-historical period and eventually became the rulers of the Tibetan Empire beginning with King Songtsen Gampo (605-650).

In addition to establishing the Tibetan Empire, Songtsen Gampo is credited with the introduction of a system of writing to Tibet, "the codification of the laws, and the inception of Tibetan Buddhism."

Songtsen Gampo and two of his successors, Trisong Detsen and Ralpacan, are referred to as the "Three Dharma Kings" of Tibet. Songtsen Gampo is credited with first bringing the Buddhist teachings to Tibet, and Trisong Detsen and Ralpacan worked to make Buddhism more firmly established.

The last Yarlung king of the Tibetan Empire was Langdarma, who ascended to the throne after he assassinated his brother Ralpacan. Following Langdarma's own assassination, the Tibetan Empire fell into civil war and eventually devolved into multiple smaller kingdoms.

A great-grandson of Langdarma, Kyide Nyimagon, founded the small kingdom of Guge in Western Tibet in the 10th century. His descendant, Lha Lama Yeshe O (947-1024) is credited with a revival of Buddhism in Tibet in the 11th century.

Further reading

• Yarlung dynasty, Wikipedia