Rise To Power
Originally lords of the fief Rinpung in Tsang (West-Central Tibet), the family took advantage of a family feud within the Phagmodrupa dynasty in 1434-35 and seized the important place Shigatse. The members of the family were patrons of the Karmapa school of Buddhism, which was opposed by the Gelugpa. While still acknowledging the Phagmodrupa, they subsequently built up a strong position, bearing the title desi (regent). The Phagmodrupa kings Drakpa Jungne (r. 1435-45) and Kunga Lekpa (r. 1448-81) were both born from Rinpungpa princesses. Kunga Lekpa in turn married a Rinpungpa daughter, but the marriage was conflict-ridden and her kinsman Donyo Dorje eventually invaded the central domain of the king, who was forced to abdicate in 1481.
Read more about this topic: Rinpungpa
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