Dartsédo
Standing on the banks of the Gyalrong Gyalmo Ngul Chu in the southeast part of Kham, Dartsédo (Ch. Kangding) was the capital of the Kingdom of Chakla.
The city acted as a boundary and transition between Tibet and China: to the west of Dartsédo lies the Tibetan civilization, whereas Han cultural areas lie to the east. Because of being both a geographical and a strategic frontier, Dartsédo has witnessed many historical conflicts between Tibetan and Han polities.
Kangding was for many centuries an important trading city where Han brick tea, and opium, was carried by porters from Chengdu and other centers to trade for Tibetan wool and horses. In 1701, a dispute involving the sovereignty over the city between Tibet and the Qing was resolved when the Manchu forces took the city by storm in the Battle of Dartsédo.
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.
