Tsangyang Gyatso, the young Sixth Dalai Lama, finished his most urgent audience by late afternoon. His head was throbbing. He suddenly rose from the snow lion throne, causing all the attendants to scatter.
Puntsok Wangpo, his chamberlain, though reluctant to stop him, felt obliged. “Your Holiness, I’m very sorry, but there is one more person who will see…”
“Who is this last person?”
“A woman. The most persistent one. I told her to leave, but she refuses. She’s not on the list and might cause confusion. I wonder how you’d like to handle this. I already asked your attendant, Ugyen, to remove her from the room once, but she yelled. She says she’s a cousin, Tenpa, of your fiancé.”
Just then, Tsangyang heard a woman crying and banging on the door. Since Tsangyang had already gotten up, he walked towards the door himself. “I’ll invite him.”
But before he could, the door opened. He saw a woman slap Ugyen and spit on him. He was about to scold her when he saw her Package (an honorific title for the Dalai Lama).
“Your Holiness!” He bowed down, fell on his hands and knees, his head hit the ground. Amid the stream of litanies, the woman turned and saw Kundun in front of her.
He ran and locked Tsangyang’s legs together and touched his head. “Your Holiness, Kundun, please help me!”
Tsangyang helped him up. His apron was worn and dirty, his hands strong from manual labor. She tucked loose strands of her tied hair behind her ears. “What happened? Please come in. Sit down.” Tsangyang took his hand. “Wangpo-la, please bring us some tea.
The woman wiped her face on her finger, she was extremely embarrassed. The Dalai Lama was still holding his hand. He never imagined meeting her in person. He was so handsome. It became even more so because he clearly cared about her well-being. Her eyes were soft and bright.
In his presence, she seemed bathed in his light. He immediately calmed down. “Your Holiness, I am the wife of Tenpa’s cousin.” I would never bother you, but I thought – since Tenpa always speaks so highly of you – that you could help me.
She broke his hand. “My husband is missing. His name is Tashi. Something bad happened. He’s usually up to no good, but he always comes home at night. He hasn’t for three days now…. We’ve been fighting.”
“Could you tell me your name, Tenpa’s cousin’s wife?” Tsangyang touched her hand again.
“If you come…”
“Do you mind if I ask what you were fighting about?”
She began to cry, a mixture of anger and regret. “We quarreled over something stupid—he gave me a ruby; I don’t know where he stole it, but I know it was stolen. I told him he should live honestly and not be a thief any longer, and he said he had had enough of me, and I would regret it if I spoke to him like that, and stormed out. I haven’t seen him since . . .”
Tsangyang knew he hadn’t told her the whole story. Now he realized that Tenpa’s behavior when they returned to Hlasa was connected.
“Have you mentioned this to Tenpa?”
“He insisted that I not disturb him.” I’m sorry to take up your time, Your Holiness.
Tsangyang Puntsok turned to Wangpo. “Please bring Tenpa here.”
Tsangyang saw that only part of his hair was streaked with white, the rest was still black. His face was weathered and red from the sun. He had bruises on his arm and a cut on his forehead where it had recently scabbed over. The man pointed to her bruises. “I’m glad you came.” What happened?
Puntsok Wangpo brought tea, reluctant to serve the woman. Tsangyang took the tea and served it himself. She was overwhelmed when he insisted on handing her the teacup.
He drank his blessings, spoke through tears, and was out of breath. “He didn’t do any good. Whatever he was up to, it wasn’t good for you either.” He reached into the folds of his chuba and put his hand under his breast. He opened his hand and showed Tsangyang the ruby. “I can’t stand this; if anyone sees me, they’ll think I stole it. I’m not asking you to find it. But I miss Tashi. She wasn’t bad, just so stupid. She’s always getting herself into trouble! I never knew she could miss me. Holiness, please forgive her if I hurt her.”
“How did you get the cut and bruises, Kelsang-la?”
Kelsang placed a hand on his forehead. “Nothing…”
“I’m sure there was something.”
His face contorted between anger and despair. He started slowly and then spoke as if he couldn’t speak fast enough. “Some people were looking for him. They were big. They spoke Tibetan, but strangely. They were dressed like traders. I didn’t think they were. They shouted, ‘Where’s Tashi?’ I…they killed my dog. They laughed. Then they took me by the neck. I didn’t get scared. As soon as they left, I was worried they were confused about something. Tenpa said he would have nothing to do with people who came to hurt His Holiness. I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble, but no one listened to me.
He wiped his eyes. She was an intelligent woman.
Tsangyang said a small prayer and blew on the ruby. “I’m so sorry about how you and your dog were treated. Let’s see if we can find any news about your husband.” Tsangyang placed the ruby back into his palm. “For now, keep this pending investigation.” If your husband actually obtained it legally, it would be useful to you. Maybe Tenpa can help…
“I don’t know Tenpa very well, Your Highness.” My husband is talking to her. They always meet in the pub.
“Well, maybe this is a good time to get to know each other better.” Maybe it will help you find your husband.
“Thank you very much, Your Holiness. May you live a very long, happy life.” He pressed the gem to his face. Kelsang had already decided that he would never sell the ruby, even if he starved to death.
Tsangyang saw that when she stopped crying and got over her anger, she could be beautiful once. His lips turned down due to the difficulty.
Tenpa couldn’t hide the disgust on his face when he saw Kelsang. He was wearing his stained apron and looked disheveled, dirty and bruised. He felt embarrassed for her, yet envied that Kundun listened to him without his own help.
“Tenpa-la. Kelsang-la explained to me the unfortunate disappearance of your cousin Tashi. Please help her find her. Since it’s almost mealtime, she can join you. Maybe the two of you can think of some places to look for her. Take care of her – she’s going through a very difficult time. She needs the support of her family.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” With great difficulty, Tenpa motioned for Kelsang to escort him out. She seemed repulsed by his presence, unwilling to accept him as he was.
Tsangyang watched them leave, suspecting that they might be arguing out of earshot.
Kelsang took one last look at the Dalai Lama. He knew it was disrespectful to think like that, but he was completely smitten with Kundun and wished he could give her a kiss. He pressed his chest where he had put the ruby to make sure it was close to him.
Tsangyang watched as Tenpa walked a few steps ahead of him, then turned back to hurry him along. His grim look changed to a smile when he saw Kundun looking at them.
♦
From The Magical Adventures of the Sixth Dalai Lama: His Life and LovesAnnie Bien and Robert AF Thurman. © 2025 Tibet House US. Reprinted with permission.
