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Roles of the Imperial Preceptor
In the 12th century, under the Emperor Renzong of Western Xia, the role of the imperial preceptor was serving as the emperor's chaplain, teacher and consecrator and, more generally, teaching, writing, translating and editing. Later, under the Yuan Dynasty, this post had also the added responsibility of overseeing the political situation in Central Tibet. Phagpa was a was a State Preceptor (guoshi), that eventually became Mongol Imperial Preceptor. The Mongol imperial preceptor resided within the precincts of the imperial palace, in order to serve the imperial family. The role of the imperial preceptors was to issue decrees, under the emperor's authority to both protect and command monasteries in Tibet. At some point, the imperial preceptor's decrees began to be equally effective asthe emperor's in Tibet, as the Yuan court had begun tending to leave Tibet politically under the supervision of the imperial preceptor. He also advised the Emperor regarding official appointments in Tibet. Moreover,being members of the Sakya sect, they directed all Buddhist establishments in the Yuan empire and were charged with promoting Buddhism in the empire. They also oversaw routine Buddhist ceremonies and special rituals upon the enthronement and funerals of the emperors. They held rituals and dedicated stupas to the protection of the state and its subjects, in general terms or in specific instances, such as to prevent flooding or thunderstorms. Nevertheless, the roles of the dishi focused on religious matters rather than political ones.