Guangxu Emperor
The eleventh emperor of the Qing dynasty, the Guangxu Emperor (aka Emperor Dezong) (1871-1908) had actual limited influence over Tibet, as Empress Dowager Cixi held real political power for most of his reign.
During that time—which cover the second half of the life of Düdjom Lingpa (1835-1903)—, the relationship between the Qing's empire and Central Tibet was characterized by the traditional "priest-patron" (chöyön) framework, in which the Dalai Lama served as spiritual teacher and the emperor as lay patron, though Chinese and Tibetan authorities interpreted this arrangement quite differently.
During that era, the Qing control over Central Tibet was largely symbolic rather than substantive.
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.
