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Rinchen Gyaltsen

Type Figure Region Tibet Time c. 1238–1279 Also known as Rinchen Gyeltsen、Yilinzhen

Rinchen Gyaltsen (c. 1238–1279), half-brother of Phagpa, eighth Sakya Trizin (1267–1275), and Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan from 1274;…

Timeline

  1. c. 1238–1267Sakya · Sa'gya CountyBorn in western Tibet, son of Tibetan Sachen Sonam Gyaltsen and Jomo Dro, with his uncle being Sakya Pandita. His half-brother Phagpa was close to Kublai Khan, and another brother Chana Dorje served as Tibetan Despon (1264–1267).
  2. 1267–1275Sakya Monastery · Sa'gya CountyAfter Chana Dorje's death in 1267 he became abbot of Sakya Monastery, directing Sakya affairs until 1275. During Phagpa's return to Tibet in 1274, Rinchen Gyaltsen temporarily assumed leadership of Sakya, coordinating relations between the school and the Yuan administration.
  3. 1274–1279Dadu · BeijingAfter Phagpa returned to Tibet in 1274, Rinchen Gyaltsen was appointed Imperial Preceptor, the second person to hold the post after Phagpa. He resided long at the Yuan court, overseeing Buddhist affairs nationwide and Tibetan affairs, enjoying the Imperial Preceptor title and generous patronage.
  4. 1279–1290Lintao · LintaoHe died at Lintao around 24 March 1279. The Imperial Preceptor position was succeeded by his nephew Dharmabala between 1281 and 1282. The institutional framework Rinchen Gyaltsen established for the Imperial Preceptor's oversight of Buddhist affairs at the Yuan court continued after his death, with influence extending into the 1280s power transition between Sakya and the Yuan.

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