This essay explores the connections between Labrang Monastery and Wutai Shan. It shows that in addition to seeking the benefits of Wutai Shan’s religious qualities, the Labrang Tibetans sought to establish a presence on Wutai and, through Wutai, with Beijing. The Labrang Tibetans active on Wutai Shan were most often high level, Lhasa educated scholars, monastic officials, and wealthy estate owners. Given the type of political structures in Tibetan areas, in the Qing court, and in Mongol communities, these bla mas were able to exercise considerable political power. They served both as religious experts and diplomats at Wutai Shan and by extension in Beijing and Ulan Bator. The essay includes descriptions of the Labrang bla mas’ religious activities and political connections, and argues that Qing dynasty, Tibetan, and Mongol politics were often a matter of formal recognition and polite diplomacy, frequently accompanied by religious language and rituals.
