Songtsen Gampo
Songtsen Gampo, 33rd king and founder of the Tibetan Empire (r. 618/629–650), is revered as the first Dharma King: he introduced Buddhism to Tibet, built the Jokhang, and, by tradition an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, subdued the demoness lying beneath the land by pinning her with 108 temples. His legend guards the Buddhist foundation of Tibetan identity.