Khyungpo Pungse Sutse (, ? – ?) was a general of the

Tibetan Empire The Tibetan Empire (, ; ) was an empire centered on the Tibetan Plateau, formed as a result of imperial expansion under the Yarlung dynasty heralded by its 33rd king, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century. The empire further expanded under the 38 ...

. Born in Khyungpo (modern Dêngqên and Biru in

Kham Kham (; ) is one of the three traditional Tibetan regions, the others being Amdo in the northeast, and Ü-Tsang in central Tibet. The original residents of Kham are called Khampas (), and were governed locally by chieftains and monasteries. Kham ...

). He killed his king and surrendered to the Tibet king,

Namri Songtsen Namri Songtsen (), also known as "Namri Löntsen" () (died 618) was according to tradition, the 32nd King of Tibet of the Yarlung Dynasty. (Reign: 570 – 618) During his 48 years of reign, he expanded his kingdom to rule the central part of the ...

. He was so witty that Namri Songtsen put great trust in him. Pungse continued to serve as high minister after

Songtsen Gampo Songtsen Gampo (; 569–649? 650), also Songzan Ganbu (), was the 33rd Tibetan king and founder of the Tibetan Empire, and is traditionally credited with the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, influenced by his Nepali consort Bhrikuti, of Nepal ...

ascended the throne. At that time, the Tibetan king and the king of

Zhangzhung Zhangzhung or Shangshung was an ancient culture and kingdom in western and northwestern Tibet, which pre-dates the culture of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. Zhangzhung culture is associated with the Bon religion, which has influenced the philosophies ...

had married each other's sister in a political alliance. However, ''sad mar gar'', Songtsen's sister who had married the Zhangzhung king, ''rig myi rhya'', complained of poor treatment by the king's principal wife. Angry, Songtsen prepared to invade Zhangzhung, and let Pungse to predict the outcome. The oracle predicted a major victory. Songtsen led a large number of troops in an invasion of Zhangzhung in 642, and many high ministers participated in the mission, including Khyungpo Pungse and Gar Tongtsen. After three years of bloody war, Zhangzhung was finally conquered by Tibet, and Pungse was appointed as the governor of Zhangzhung. The '' Lönchen''

Nyang Mangpoje Shangnang Nyang Mangpoje Shangnang (; ? – ?) was a general of the Tibetan Empire who served as '' Lönchen'' during Emperor Songtsen Gampo's reign. The Tibetan emperor Namri Songtsen was assassinated in 618. The young prince Gampo Songtsen came to t ...

had a very high reputation in Tibet. Songtsen realised this could be a threat to his central authority. Pungse notified this, sowed discord among them. It was a successful conspiracy; Shangnang returned to his castle, and was considered a rebel. Songtsen's troops occupied the castle, captured Shangnang and executed him. Later, Pungse was appointed as '' Lönchen'', but came into conflict with another high minister, Omade Lotsen. Pungse was dismissed due to his age, and had to retire to his castle. There, Pungse plotted another conspiracy. He invited Songtsen to visit his fief, then tried to murder him. Songtsen agreed, and sent Gar Tongtsen to set up his camp. The conspiracy was detected by Tongtsen, who fled stealthily and told the king about the conspiracy. Finding Tongtsen had disappeared, Pungse had to commit suicide. As he told, his son ''ngag re kyung'' cut off his head, brought it to Songtsen, exposed the conspiracy, and asked for absolution. All members of the Khyungpo clan were survived. It was said that Khyungpo was good at playing "'' go''".

References

''Old Tibetan Chronicle'', P.T. 1287
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khyungpo Pungse Sutse 7th-century Tibetan people People of the Tibetan Empire