Tsering Yangdzom, born in Lhasa, is a researchfellow with the Institute of Social Economy, ChinaTibetology Research Center. She is co-author ofSeries of General Survey of China." Lhasa, Vicis-situdes of Families in Tibet Over the Past 40 Years,Life of Luou District Residents in Lhasa, SocialConformation of Tibetan Feudal Serfdom, andSurvey and Research Concerning Tibet's Com-merce and Handicraft Industry. She has also pub-lished a number of academic papers including"Basic Conditions and Development of Educationin Lhasa," "Education Issues During the EconomicDevelopment in the River Basins of Yalu Tsangpo,Lhasa and Nyang Qu," "The Formation and Evo-lution of Bkr-shis-lhun-po-dgon in TashilhunpoMonastery," "Pottery Art in Tibet," "Concerning theAristocratic Families in Tibetan History," "TheLhasa Aristocracy's Custom of Celebrating the Lu-nar New Year in Old Tibet," and "Marriage andFamilies of the Aristocracy in Old Tibet."

Preface

Introduction

 Area of Study

 Source of Data

Part One: Group Image of the Aristocracy in a Hierarchical Society

Chapter ⅠThe Dominant Yab-gzhis Families

 Section 1 From the First to the Sixth Dalai Lama

 Section 2 The Seventh Dalai Lama and His Family

 Section 3 The Deification of Yab-gzhis Families

 Section 4 A Case Study: Continuation of the Lhalu Lineage

Chapter Ⅱ The sDe-dpon Families of Noble Descent

 Section I Epitome of the Aristocracy

 Section 2 Prominent Families

 Section 3 A Case Study: the Phalha Family

Chapter Ⅲ Authority Arising from Mi-drag Families

 Section I Hierarchical Changes in a Stagnant Society

 Section 2 Concept of Honor

 Section 3 Struggling for Aristocratic Status

Chapter Ⅳ General Aristocratic Families

 Section i Aspiring for Power and Honor

Section 2 In Persistent Pursuit of Opportunities

Section 3 Peaceful Mind in Boundless Changes

Section 4 Adhering to the Past and Relaxing in the Present

Part Two: Tibetan Aristocrats Who Stress 'Location'

Chapter Ⅴ The Solid Wall of Family

 Section I Components and Honors of Aristocratic Society

 Section 2 Family Structures: Polyandry and Polygamy

 Section 3 Basic Family Structure and Aristocrats' Residences

 Section 4 Emotional Relations among Family Members and Subordinates

Chapter Ⅵ The Contract of Marriage and the Status of Women

 Section I Matrimonial Concepts and Matrimonial Relationships

 Section 2 Boundary and Limits of Marriage

 Section 3 Romantic Forms, Stiff Content

 Section 4 Women's Position Revealed in Marriage

Chapter Ⅶ Children's Upbringing

 Section I Concept of Samsara and Family Affections

 Section 2 Upbringing of the Children of the Nobles

 Section 3 Childhood -- First Step into Society

 Section 4 Relations Between Individuals, Family and Society

Chapter Ⅷ Life of the Aristocracy

 Section I Etiquette and Religious Enthusiasm

 Section 2 Tibetan New Year Celebration: Religious and Secular

 Section 3 Food and Attire

 Section 4 Gone with the Wind

Bibliography

Postscript