Testament of Jangchub Gyaltsen

In 1322 Jangchub Gyaltsen (Byang chub rgyal mtshan) (1302–1364) was appointed as leader by the Yuan emperor and he gradually wrested power from the formerly powerful Sakya (Sa skya) and their ponchen (dpon chen) in central Tibet. This was recognized by the Yuan when the emperor granted him the title of Ta’i Si tu in 1357 and he received the ponchen’s seal of office. Jangchub Gyaltsen created new administrative offices, gradually coming to exercise authority over the other tripon. He reorganized the trikor into the fort (dzong) system, with associated aristocratic families and estates.

His testament was probably completed shortly before his death in 1364.