The Dorjéling Armoury in the Potala According to the Fifth Dalai Lama’s gsung ’bum

Although the government established through alliance of Gélukpa (Dge lugs pa) and Khoshud in 1642 took its appellation from Ganden Palace (Dga’ ldan pho brang/Ganden Phodrang) at Drepung (’Bras spung), symbolic seat power this was Potala, same time fortress, administrative centre, earthly copy celestial palace Avalokiteśvara, official residence Fifth Dalai Lama. Less known, however, is that Potala also came to symbolise military readiness. It acquired new martial function 1667, when an armoury, called Dorjéling (Rdo rje gling), set up base White Palace. The Lama memorialised establishment with a poetic text, which included volume nineteen (ma) his collected works. This paper examines provides information both on contents armoury logic employed justify creation spaces dedicated preparedness within fast becoming one most revered sites Tibetan sphere.