GOLDEN AGE, THE TANG DYNASTY

Princess Wencheng (ca. 620-680 a . d . ) was a Tang dynasty princess married to the founding king of Tibet, Songzan Ganbu (or Songtsen Gampo). She was instrumental in popularizing Buddhism and making it the national religion of Tibet through founding the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. Through her marriage, an alliance was created between the Han Chinese people of the Tang dynasty and the Tibetans. Princess Wencheng was a daughter of a member of the emperor’s family and was adopted and raised by Tang Emperor Taizong and Empress Shunxian (see Empress Shunxian). She was given a Confucian classical education and grew up in the luxurious court of Chang’an during the early days of the Tang dynasty. Bestowed with the title prin­ cess as an honor, she enjoyed the educational advantages of Chang’an, which at that time was one of the most cosmopolitan capitals of the world.