The national anthem of Tibet (Classical Tibetan: བོད་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་ཆེན་པོའི་རྒྱལ་གླུ།, Wylie: bod rgyal khab kyi rgyal glu), commonly referred to as "Gyallu", is a Tibetan patriotic song which serves as the de facto anthem of the Central Tibetan Administration.[1]
It is unclear exactly whether it was first used before the Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1951, or after the 14th Dalai Lama went into exile in India in 1960. The earliest report of a state anthem (presumably "Gyallu") is between 1949 and 1950 when Tibet was under invasion. It was introduced under reforms set in place to strengthen patriotism among the Tibetan people. Another report states that the anthem was presented to the 14th Dalai Lama in 1960 in exile.[2]
Tibet's first national anthem was, according to Tashi Tsering, written by a Tibetan scholar during the epoch of the 7th Dalai Lama and under the reign of the Pholanas in between 1745 and 1746.[citation needed]
Written by Trijang Rinpoche around 1950, a tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama, the lyrics focus on the radiance of the Gautama Buddha.[2]
The melody is said to be based on a very old piece of Tibetan sacred music, and some of its elements are also found in other Tibetan songs such as that of Mimang Langlu, a song of the 1959 Tibetan uprising. The lyrics are by the Dalai Lama's tutor, Trijang Rinpoche. It has been used by Tibetans in exile ever since the introduction of the state anthem although it is banned in Tibet. In 2000's, the anthem was replaced to cleaner version and added the opening melody and closing melody Current anthem of Tibet (Gyallu) but the filename is the sameⓘ
The source of temporal and spiritual wealth of joy and boundless benefits
The Wish-fulfilling Jewel of the Buddha’s Teaching, blazes forth radiant light
The all-protecting Patron of the Doctrine and of all sentient beings
By his actions stretches forth his influence like an ocean
By his eternal Vajra-nature
His compassion and loving care extend to beings everywhere
May the celestially appointed Government of Gawa Gyaden achieve the heights of glory
And increase its fourfold influence and prosperity
May a golden age of joy and happiness spread once more through these regions of Tibet
And may its temporal and spiritual splendour shine again
May the Buddha’s Teaching spread in all the ten directions and lead all beings in the universe to glorious peace
May the spiritual Sun of the Tibetan faith and People
Emitting countless rays of auspicious light
Victoriously dispel the strife of darkness
The first Tibetan national anthem was created in the 18th century. According to eminent Tibetan scholar Tashi Tsering, it was composed by Pholanas around 1745, at the time of the 7th Dalai Lama. Sir Charles Bell described it as Tibet's "national hymn".[3]
Gangs ris skor ba'i zhing khams 'di
Phan thang bde ba ma lus 'byung ba'i gnas
Spyan ras gzigs ba bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho yin
Zhabs pad srid mtha'i bar du brtan gyur cig.
Kang ri kor wai shingkam di
Pän tang tewa ma lü jungwai nä
Qänräzig wa Tänzin gyaco yin
Shapä sä dai bardu tän gyur qig.
Circled by ramparts of snow-mountains,
This sacred realm, this wellspring of all benefits and happiness.
Tenzin Gyatso, the enlighted existence of compassion,
May his reign endure till the end of all existence.