Amban
A Manchu language term meaning ‘high official’, Amban corresponded to a number of different official titles in the imperial government of Qing Dynasty of China. The most well-known ambans were the Qing imperial residents in Central Tibet, Qinghai, Mongolia and Xinjiang, which were not fully proper territories of Qing China, but were governed as regular provinces and retained many of their existing institutions.
In Central Tibet, the Qing Emperors used to appoint an amban who strived to represent the Qing authority over the Ganden Podrang, based in Lhasa. The chief amban commanded over 2,000 Qing troops stationed in Lhasa and was aided by an assistant amban.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
