PT 1089 — Administrative Register from the Dunhuang Period

PT 1089 is the most comprehensive administrative document yet translated from the Dunhuang Tibetan corpus. Written in Old Tibetan, it records the formal precedence — the official ranking and seating order — of all civil and military officials serving under the Tibetan Empire at Shazhou (沙州, modern Dunhuang) during the late eighth or early ninth century.

The text preserves three separate precedence disputes between officials of different ethnic backgrounds: Tibetan-appointed officers, Chinese local officials, Tuyuhun and Tongjia commanders, and Nepalese military administrators. Each dispute was resolved by councils of senior ministers (zhang-lon), whose decrees were sealed with vermilion stamps and distributed as authoritative registers. The document culminates in a complete forty-rank hierarchy of the Shazhou garrison — essentially a constitutional chart of imperial frontier governance.

The rank system used material tablets (thabs) to indicate status: gold, turquoise, silver, and copper, in descending order of prestige. Chinese officials served alongside Tibetan appointees, and the text reveals a sophisticated multi-ethnic administration where promotion was possible through meritorious service, regardless of origin. More than thirty individual officials are named — both Tibetan and Chinese — preserving a snapshot of the people who actually governed Dunhuang under Tibetan rule.

The Old Tibetan source text was accessed from the Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) corpus, maintained by Takeuchi Tsuguhito and Imaeda Yoshiro, based on the Pelliot tibétain manuscripts held at the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

The Winter Council

In the last month of winter of the Dog Year, from Gdun-sa Zha, the accounting seals having been distributed, the [...] [damaged]

...regarding the precedence matter that was in disagreement — Shazhou's myriarch and myriarch-inspector petitioned previously and subsequently [damaged]

[...] having petitioned the higher authorities previously and subsequently, having deliberated, the precedence decided by decree [damaged]

Having petitioned, thereupon seals were affixed and bestowed to be held — the register of precedence decided by decree [damaged]

From the rtse-rje minister of Shazhou down to the lowest officials — regarding the precedence disagreements, henceforth the precedence shall be as follows, written in this register:

In winter of the Dog Year, while residing at the palace of [name obscured], at the council of the bde-blon — Zhang Btsan-bzang, Blon Rgyal-sgra, Inspector-minister Byang-bzher, and Blon G.yu-sgra, having convened — in response to the disputes between the two divisions of Lug-ngan and the treasury officials, and the complaint at Grom-pa Plain:

The Dispute Over Precedence

The petition of Shazhou's myriarch and myriarch-inspector states:

At Shazhou, formerly, a thousand-chief of great-pure rank was appointed from Tibet. But because last year a Chinese Shazhou official was promoted to senior status, the thousand-chief and lesser thousand-chief were divided into separate ranks. The thousand-chief was granted a small silver tablet; the lesser thousand-chief was granted a large copper tablet.

Between the Chinese to-dog and the thousand-chiefs there was also a precedence disagreement. Between the lesser thousand-chief appointed from Tibet and the Chinese to-dog subordinates, and the Chinese thousand-companions holding silver rank — a precedence disagreement arose.

At present, the precedence of the rtse-rje's subordinate officials is as follows: below the great to-dog, the to-dog subordinate An Bung-yig — who was appointed inspector from China — is placed above Chang Stag-legs. Last year, at Kharzan market, the officials disagreed about precedence. The military commander deliberated and petitioned the great Zhang-lon Blon Rgyal-tsan and Blon Legs-sgra.

From the resulting decree: below the thousand-chief of the Three Tibetans, the Tongjia and Tuyuhun thousand-chiefs. Below them, the rtse-rje of copper rank. Below them, the lesser thousand-chiefs of the Three Tibetans, and the Tongjia and Tuyuhun lesser thousand-chiefs. Below them, the copper sug-stong and those of the tiger stripe. Thus it stands.

The precedence of the rtse-rje and to-dog was established following former custom, more or less as before. But regarding the thousand-chiefs and lesser thousand-chiefs newly appointed from Tibet — what their precedence should be — we ourselves cannot decide by decree. If the higher authorities do not decree it, then from the very first appointment of officials onward, for such minor matters, if disagreement and dispute arise, it would be uncomfortable for the authorities and undignified for the officials themselves.

Therefore: regarding the precedence of the thousand-chiefs, the two to-dog and the rtse-rje subordinates — whichever should be placed above — and likewise for the Chinese thousand-companions and the Tibetan lesser thousand-chiefs, please grant a decree.

Petition of the Chinese Officials of Shazhou

From the petition of the Chinese officials of Shazhou:

We petition that Shazhou's to-dog and ourselves — the thousand-chiefs and lesser thousand-chiefs — be placed above the appointed officials from Nepal. There is no precedent or example for the to-dog and thousand-companions appointed from Nepal being placed above the original established officials.

For example: someone like Li-rje, when paired with the Tibetans — even when the higher authorities showed favour and bestowed a victory banner and granted him royal law — the Li minister of silver rank was still placed below. Li's grandmother and others, who were granted gold and turquoise rank-tablets, were placed below the rtse-rje of copper rank.

Even the Nepal-subject myriarchs and thousand-chiefs who had turquoise and gold rank-tablets — not to mention the great military commander of great-pure rank — were placed below the lesser military commander of Sgo-gtsang.

Thus, from ancient times, the precedence of the central and frontier forces has been established and settled. Whether it endures is for the higher authorities to decide. The Shazhou to-dog and those appointed as thousand-companions — since their merit is not great and their rank is not high — according to the previously established precedence and precedent, please allow us to remain above them.

Petition of the To-dog and Thousand-Companions

From the petition of the Shazhou to-dog and thousand-companions:

We great to-dog were appointed as companions of the rtse-rje, granted phra-men rank-tablets. Even though the rtse-rje of copper rank was placed above us, the senior thousand-chiefs should not outrank us. But now, from the military commander's decree at Kharzan market, the thousand-chiefs have been placed above the rtse-rje of copper rank — and on that basis, the thousand-chiefs petition to be placed above the great to-dog.

Furthermore: the to-dog subordinate of silver rank and the thousand-companion holding a silver rank-tablet — should the lesser thousand-chief of copper rank outrank them? We petition: please allow us to-dog to be placed above the thousand-chiefs and lesser thousand-chiefs appointed from Tibet.

The Kharzan Market Precedent

The precedence of the officials of Kharzan market — having been petitioned to the great Zhang-lon and decided by decree — and combining the sealed precedent document with the archive of Chinese officials appointed from Tibet, and having been decided according to formerly established custom and the directives of the authorities: the precedence is as follows.

The Complete Hierarchy of Shazhou Officials

Ru-dpon — regiment commander

Khri-dpon — myriarch

Dgra-blon chen-po — great military minister

Rtse-rje ra-gan-pa — rtse-rje of silver rank

Zhing-pon chen-po — great agricultural chief

Mkhar-dpon chen-po — great fortress commander

Stod-smad gyi phyug-ma'i gzhis-pon chen-po — great estate chief of the upper and lower wealthy districts

Ru-spyan nang-kor las bskos-pa rnams — inspectors appointed from the inner circle of the regiment

Dgra-blon 'bring-po — medium military minister

Ru-theb — regiment deputy

Dgra-blon chung-ngu — lesser military minister

Khral-po chen-po — great tax chief

Gsang gi yi-ge-pa ched-po — great confidential secretary

Rtsis-pa ched-po — great accountant

Zhal-ce-pa ched-po — great judge

Bod-sum gyi stong-pon — thousand-chief of the Three Tibetans

Mthong-kyab dang 'a-zha'i stong-pon — Tongjia and Tuyuhun thousand-chiefs

Rtse-rje zangs-pa — rtse-rje of copper rank

Gsang gi pho-nya — confidential messenger

Gsang gi yi-ge-pa 'bring-po — medium confidential secretary

Gsang gi yi-ge-pa chung-ngu — lesser confidential secretary

Spyi-gcod — general arbitrator

Bod-sum gyi stong-cung — lesser thousand-chief of the Three Tibetans

Rgya drug gi lo-tsa-pa — translators of the Six Chinese Divisions

Lung-dor gyi dmag-pon — military commander of the lung-dor

Zangs-pa sna la gtogs-pa — those attached to the copper rank

Rtsis-spyan — audit inspector

Mthong-kyab dang 'a-zha'i stong-cung — Tongjia and Tuyuhun lesser thousand-chiefs

Stag gi zar-can-pa sna la ma gtogs-pa — those not attached to the tiger-stripe officials

Gsang gi rub-ma-pa dang 'gyed-ma-pa — confidential attendants and distributors

Gzhis-pon spyan — estate chief inspector

Byung-'tsho ched-po — great steward

Stag gi zar-cung-pa — lesser tiger-stripe officials

Gzhis-pon 'og-pon — estate chief subordinate

Gsang gi yi-ge-pa phra-mo — minor confidential secretary

Lho-bal gyi dmag-pon chung-ngu — lesser military commander of Nepal

Byung-'tsho chung-ngu — lesser steward

Chos gyi rtsis-pa — religious accountant

Khram-pa — tally-keeper

Sam-mkhan — deliberator

The Dog Year Inquiry from Shazhou

From the messenger Tshe'u Shun-tse of the rtse-rje of Shazhou, arriving on the seventh day of the last month of spring of the Dog Year:

From the rtse-rje downward, all Chinese officials have a precedence disagreement and constantly dispute. The precedence decided by decree by the military commander of Guazhou is the precedent presented. If they are to follow this henceforth, is it a transgression or not?

"The precedence of Chinese officials from the rtse-rje minister of Shazhou downward — for now, let it be thus." So decreed by the military commander and inspector of Guazhou.

From the precedence order sent by the rtse-rje of Shazhou, the hierarchy is: rtse-rje minister, Chinese myriarch, Chinese myriarch-inspector, great to-dog, thousand-chiefs appointed from Tibet, rtse-rje subordinate, lesser to-dog, Chinese inspector, thousand-companions appointed from China, lesser thousand-chiefs appointed from Tibet, lesser rtse-rje and mngan go-cu-rub, Shazhou general military minister appointed from Tibet, lesser thousand-companion assistants appointed from China, military ministers appointed from China, Chinese general great tax chief, myriarch's secretary.

The Rat Year Appointments

This is the foundation of the Chinese officials' appointments at Shazhou by the great Zhang-lon.

From the dispatches of Dispatch-minister Blon Stag-bzher Rgod-khyung and others — from Cog-ro Legs-'dus — arriving on the fourth day of the last month of spring of the Rat Year:

In the summer of the Rat Year, when the council was convened at Long-cu upon the great Zhang-lon's coming to So, the Chinese of Shazhou were divided into two divisions, and work assignments, official appointments, and decrees were issued.

Officials Appointed from Tibet for Shazhou

Rongs-po G.yu-gong — appointed rtse-rje minister.

Khyung-po Klu-rma — appointed rtse-rje inspector.

'Bro G.yu-gong — appointed medium rtse-rje.

'Bal Du-ma-legs — appointed lesser rtse-rje and military minister go-cu-rub.

Tshar Lo-spa-sho — appointed lesser thousand-chief, granted a copper document.

Ser Lha-rma — appointed lesser thousand-chief, granted a small copper tablet.

Officials Appointed from China — First Division

Do Stag-skyes — appointed Chinese to-dog, companion of the Tibetan rtse-rje, with a small tablet. Previously held a lesser phra-men document. The authorities showed favour, and being commended, he was granted a great phra-men document.

An Bung-yig — appointed to-dog subordinate, with a silver tablet. Previously held a silver document. The authorities showed favour and granted him a great silver document.

Yem Pheng — appointed thousand-companion, holding a small silver document. Previously held a small silver document. The authorities showed favour, and being commended, he was granted a great silver document.

Chang Mdo-tse — appointed first division tax chief and district administrator.

Sag Pho-sngon — being of to-dog lineage, the authorities showed favour and appointed him great general tax chief, granting a great-pure token of gratitude.

Tshe'u Chang-zhi — appointed division water officer.

Li Pu-hvar — appointed general great agricultural chief, with great-pure status. The authorities showed favour, granting a great-pure token of gratitude.

Chang Stag-legs — appointed water officer.

Officials Appointed from China — Second Division

Khang Se'u-tam — appointed thousand-companion, holding a small silver document. The authorities showed favour, and being commended, he was granted a great silver document.

Li'u Hvang — appointed tax chief and district administrator.

An Hing-tse — appointed division agricultural chief.

Li Phyin — appointed general water officer.

Chang De'u-'do — appointed lesser thousand-chief, holding a small copper tablet. Previously held a small silver document in the archive. The authorities showed favour, granting a copper tablet with mallet and chisel.

Bam Stag-zigs — appointed overseer.

Jeng Lha-rton — appointed overseer.

Yang Klu-legs — appointed water officer.

Wang An — appointed division water officer.

Dza An — appointed division agricultural chief.

The Nepalese Precedence Dispute

'Bring-yas Btsan-kong was dispatched to Bro and was injured. According to established custom, the lesser military commanders appointed from Tibet are placed above the Nepal-subject myriarchs and thousand-chiefs. But when Tse-nge Pong-bra Skyes-pu Yog-pa was appointed as thousand-companion, he was placed above the Nepalese lesser thousand-chief appointed from Tibet — and the Nepalese thousand-chiefs, using this as precedent, petitioned to be above the lesser military commanders. It was decided, and the seal was granted.

But in the summer of the Monkey Year, the lesser military commanders petitioned. Through the accountant and confidential officials, having deliberated and petitioned:

Henceforth, those appointed from within Nepal — myriarchs and others with turquoise and gold rank — the lesser military commanders shall be above them. Zhang Btsan-bzang, Zhang Khri-brtsan, Zhang Rgyal-tsan, and Zhang Khri-dog-rjes decided by decree, and each myriarch-district was granted one seal each.

In the Monkey Year, the Nepal-subject officials appointed from Tibet and Nepal had a precedence disagreement, but the decree by the bde-blon and inspector did not arrive from above. And though each thousand-district was granted one seal each, no immediate council meeting took place.

Thus it was decided by decree: through the confidential officials, Blon Legs-bzher Khyi-ma-'dod and others, having provided surety — having deliberated and petitioned: "The precedence of the officials of Shazhou henceforth shall be thus" — the order was sent to the rtse-rje minister and inspector. Zhang Btsan-bzang, Blon Rgyal-sgra, Inspector-minister Byang-bzher, and Blon G.yu-sgra decided by decree.

The Final Decree

Then Blon Legs-bzher Khyi-ma-'dod and Blon Klu-bzher Sngo-brtsan affixed their personal seals below. The register of the precedence of the rtse-rje and officials of Shazhou — henceforth to be thus — was written as a copy below.

The Sealed Precedence Order of Shazhou

The precedence of the officials of Shazhou, decided by decree, henceforth shall be:

Rtse-rje blon — rtse-rje minister

Rgya'i khri-dpon — Chinese myriarch

Rgya'i khri-spyan — Chinese myriarch-inspector

To-dog ched-po — great to-dog

Stong-pon bod las bskos-pa'i rnams — thousand-chiefs appointed from Tibet

Rtse-rje 'og-pon — rtse-rje subordinate

To-dog chung-ngu — lesser to-dog

Rgya'i spyan — Chinese inspector

Stong-zla rgya las bskos-pa'i rnams — thousand-companions appointed from China

Stong-cung bod las bskos-pa'i rnams — lesser thousand-chiefs appointed from Tibet

Rtse-rje chung-ngu dang mngan go-cu-rub — lesser rtse-rje and mngan go-cu-rub

Sha-cu spyi'i dgra-blon bod las bskos-pa — Shazhou general military minister appointed from Tibet

Stong-cung gi zla rgya las bskos-pa'i rnams — lesser thousand-companion assistants appointed from China

Dgra-blon rgya las bskos-pa — military ministers appointed from China

Rgya spyi'i khral-pon ched-po — Chinese general great tax chief

Khri-dpon yi-ge-pa — myriarch's secretary

Zhang Klu-sgra, Blon Zla-bzang, Blon G.yu-bzher, and Blon Mang-rje were consulted. Lha-lung Zigs approved and examined.

(A square vermilion seal.)

The seal of precedence.

Colophon

PT 1089 is the first English translation of the most extensive administrative document in the Dunhuang Old Tibetan corpus. It records the formal precedence — the official ranking at court councils — of all civil and military officials serving under the Tibetan Empire at Shazhou (modern Dunhuang), resolving disputes that involved officials of Tibetan, Chinese, Tuyuhun, Tongjia, and Nepalese origin. The forty-rank hierarchy preserved in lines 36–42 of the manuscript is the most complete surviving record of the Tibetan Empire's frontier administrative structure. The named Chinese officials, with their career progressions and rank-tablet upgrades, offer a rare window into how the empire integrated local populations into its governance.

Translated from Old Tibetan by the New Tianmu Anglican Church (Good Works Translation), 2026. The English is independently derived from the Old Tibetan source text as published on the OTDO (Old Tibetan Documents Online) corpus. No existing English translation was consulted because none exists. The translation follows the gospel register for administrative prose, preserving technical terms in Tibetan transliteration with English glosses.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: གྲལ་ཐབས་ཀྱི་ཕྱག་རྒྱ

Old Tibetan source text from the Pelliot tibétain collection, Bibliothèque nationale de France, accessed via Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO). The text is presented in Wylie transliteration as published by the OTDO corpus. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.

(r1) /:/ khyI'i lo'i dgun sla tha cungs la / gdun sa zha nas / rtsIs gyI phyag rgya phogs te phogs te / / cu[-] [-o] [---]
(r2) thabs la mchId myI mjal pa' / / sha cu'I khri dpon khrI spyan gIs snga slad du zhu[s] [---]
(r3) [---] / snga slad du blar gsol nas / / dbyangs te dbyangs te mchId kyIs bcad pa'I gral [thabs?] [---]
(r4) gsol na' / / d[er] phyag rgyas btab ste btab ste 'chang du stsal pa' / / gral thabs [mchid? kyis? b?]cad pa'[i] dka[r? chag?] [---]
(r5) /:/ sha cu'I rtse rje blon man cad dpon sna phra mo yan [ca]d / / gral thabs la mchId myI mjal pa' / / slan cad gral thabs 'dI bzhin mchis par /
(r6) dkar cag du brIs pa nI / / khyI'i lo'i dgun pho brang ### na bzhugs / / bde blon gyI 'dun sa / / zhang btsan bzang dang / blon rgyal sgra dang /
(r7) spyan blon byang bzher dang blon g.yu [sgrar zha?]r bsdus ste / / lug ngan sde gnyis dang dkor pa dang / slungs rma grom pa thang la brgal ba'i lan la / /
(r8) sha cu'I khri dpon dang khrI spyan gyI zhu[s] [---] / / sha cu na yang sngon nI bod las stong dpon gong tsar bskos pa' / gtsang cen pa zhig mchis pa yang bas /
(r9) na nIng slad kyIs rgya sha cu pa rgod du bton nas / / stong pon stong cung yang sde bcad nas / / stong pon nI thabs ra gan chung ngu stsald / / stong cung nI thabs /
(r10) zangs ched po stsal / pa' / / rgya'I to dog dang stong pon du yang gral thabs la mchId myI mjald / / stong cung bod las bskos [pa] dang rgya'I to dog 'og
(r11) pon dang rgya'I stong zla ra gan pa dag cIg mchis pa yang gral thabs [la] mchid myI mjal par gyur pa / / da ltar rtse rje 'og pon gyI gral nI / / to dog /
(r12) ched po'i ni 'og / / to dog 'og pon ^an bung yig dang rgya las spyan du b[sk]o[s pa] / / cang stag legs gyI ni gong na mchIs / / na ning mkhar tsan khrom gyI
(r13) dpon sna gral thabs la mchId myI mjal pa' / / dmag pon gyIs dbyangs te dbyangs te / / zhang lon ched po blon rgyal tsan dang blon legs sgra la zhus te / /
(r14) mchId kyIs bcad pa las nI / / bod sum gyI stong pon gyI 'og du mthong kyab dang 'a zha'I stong pon / / de'i 'og du rtse rje zangs / / de'i 'og du bod /
(r15) sum gyI stong cung dang mthong kyab dang 'a zha'I stong cung / / de'i 'og du zangs pa sug stong dang stag gi zar can pa 'byung ba'i / / lags / / rtse rje dang /
(r16) to dog gI gral thabs nI / / sngon rim pa cI ltar mchis snga lugs tsam du bas ba yang 'dus te / / bod las stong pon stong cung gnyug mar gsar
(r17) du bskos pa'I rim pa gral thabs cI ltar mchIs pa nI / / bdag cag gIs mchId kyis gcad du myI gda' ste / / bla nas bka's ma /
(r18) bcad na / dpon sna thog ma mchis ma thag du / / 'phran tshegs 'dI tsam gyI slad nas / / mchid myI mjal cing rtsod par gyur na / / rje blas 'tshal ba /
(r19) dag la yang myI bde zhing blar yang myI dpen par 'gyur zhing mchIs na / / stong pon rnams gyI gral / / to dog gnyIs dang rtse rje 'og pon dag dang /
(r20) rIm pa jI ltar mchIs pa dang / rgya'I stong zla dang bod kyi stong cung yang gang gong du mchIs pa / lung stsal pa tsam du gsol zhes 'byung / /
(r21) rgya sha cu pa'I dpon sna gsol ba las nI / / sha cu'I to dog dang bdag cag stong pon stong cung gI gong du mchIs par gsol ba / / lho bal gyI to dog /
(r22) dang stong zlar bskos pa'I rnams / / dpon sna gnyug ma'i gong du mchIs pa'i lugs dang zla dpe ma mchis te / / dper gsol na / / li rje lta bu /
(r23) zho sha dang sbyar nas / / bla nas thugs pags mdzad de / rgyal mtshan stsal nas /:/ rgyal chos gnang ba yang / / lI'i blon dngul pa'i 'og na /
(r24) mchIs pa lags / / lI'i ^a ma ca la stsogs pa / thabs gser dang [g.yu] stsal pa la stsogs pa yang / rtse rje zangs pa'i 'og na mchis / / lho /
(r25) bal stong 'dul pa'I khri dpon dang stong pon stong cung thabs g.yu dang gs[e]r mchis pa yang / / dmag pon ched po gtsang chen pa lta smos kyang myI /
(r26) 'tshal / / dmag pon chung ngu sgo gtsang pa'I 'og na mchIs te / / 'dI ltar dbung mtha' gnyIs kyI gral thabs gna' nas chad de / / lug su chud par
(r27) nI / thugs tshod bla na mnga' ba lags / / sha cu pa'I to dog dang stong zlar bskos pa'I rnams lho bal sde chen gong nas gsol pa gzhan bas / / zho /
(r28) sha myI che zhIng thabs myI mtho na / gral thabs sngar chad pa dang zla dpe bzhIn / bdag cag gong du mchIs par ji gnang / / zhes gsol / / sha cu'I to /
(r29) dog dang stong zla rnams gyI gsol ba las nI / / bdag cag to dog ched po / rtse rje'i zlar bskos te / thabs phra men stsal nas / / rtse rje zangs pa gong na /
(r30) mchIs pa'I gong du / rgod kyi stong pon gyIs myI chud par gda' ba las / / da ltar mkhar tsan khrom nas / dmag pon gyIs zhus pa las / stong pon gyI /
(r31) rnams / rtse rje zangs pa'i gong du mchis par chad pa la brten nas / / stong pon gI rnams / to dog ched po 'i gong du mchis par gsol ba dang /
(r32) to dog 'og pon dngul pa dang / stong zla thabs ra gan mchis pa'i gong du / stong cung zangs pas myi chud par gda' ba lags na / / bdag cag /
(r33) to dog tsam zhIg stong pon stong cung bod las bskos pa'i gong du mchIs par jI gnang gIs gsol / / khar tsan khrom gyI dpon sna'i gral /
(r34) thabs / / zhang lon chen po la zhus te mchid kyIs bcad pa'I dpe' / rgya'I dpon sna bod las bskos pa'i sug pa na dpe phyag rgya can 'chang ba /
(r35) las 'byung ba / / mkhar tsan khrom gyi dpon sna gral thabs la mchid myi mjal pa' / sngar bcad pa'i lugs dang rje blas gyi gnyer dag du /
(r36) sbyar nas / / zhang lon chen po la zhus te mchId kyIs bcad pa / / gral thabs la / / ru dpon / khrI dpon / / dgra blon chen po / / rtse rje
(r37) ra gan pa / / zhing pon chen po / / mkhar dpon chen po / / stod smad gyI phyug ma'I gzhIs pon chen po / / ru spyan nang kor las bskos pa
(r38) rnams / / dgra blon 'bring po / / ru theb / dgra blon chung ngu / / khral po chen po /:/ gsang gI yi ge pa ched po / / rtsis pa ched po / / zhal ce pa ched /
(r39) po / / bod sum gyI stong pon / / mthog kyab dang 'a zha'i stong pon / / rtse rje zangs pa' / / gsang gI pho nya / / gsang gI yi ge pa 'bring po / /
(r40) gsang gI yi ge pa chung ngu / / spyI gcod / / bod sum gyI stong cung / / rgya drug gI lo tsa pa / lung dor gyI dmag pon / zangs pa sna la gtogs pa / rtsIs /
(r41) spyan / / mthong kyab dang 'a zha'I stong cung / / stag gI zar can pa sna la ma gtogs pa / / gsang gI rub ma pa dang 'gyed ma pa' / / gzhIs pon spyan /
(r42) byung 'tsho ched po / / stag gI zar cung pa / gzhIs pon 'og pon /:/ gsang gI yi ge pa phra mo / lho bal gyI dmag pon chung ngu / byung 'tsho chung ngu / chos gyi
(r43) rtsIs pa / khram pa / sam mkhan zhes 'byung / / sha cu rtse rje'i phrin byang pho nya tshe'u shun tse las / khyi'i lo'i dpyid sla tha tsungs tshes /
(r44) bdun la mchis pa' / rtse rje man cad / rgya'I dpon sna'i rnams gral thabs la mchid myi mjal te / rtag du rtsod nas / gral thabs /
(r45) kva cu'i dmag pon gyIs mchid kyIs bcad pa'I dpe' gsol pa lags na / / slan cad 'dI bzhin du 'tshal na nongs sam ma nongs /
(r46) shes 'byung / / sha cu'I rtse rje blon man cad / rgya'I dpon sna'i gral thabs / re shig 'dI bzhin mchIs par 'tshol cig ces / / kva cu'i /
(r47) dmag pon dang spyan gyI mchId kyis bcad ces / / sha cu'I rtse rjes brdzangs pa'I gral thabs las 'byung ba' / / rtse rje blon rgya'I khri dpon /
(r48) rgya'I khri spyan / to dog ched po / rtse rje 'og pon / to dog chung ngu / rgya'I spyan / stong pon bod las bskos pa'I rnams / / stong pon gyI zla rgya las bskos pa'I /
(r49) rnams / / rtse rje chung ngu dang mngan go cu rub / sha cu spyI'i dgra blon bod las bskos pa' / rgya'I stong cung bod las bskos pa'I rnams / / stong cung gI zla rgya las /
(r50) bskos pa'I rnams / / dgra blon rgya las bskos pa / rgya spyI'i khral dpon ched po / / khrI dpon gyI yi ge pa zhes 'byung / / rgya sha cu pa'I dpon sna / / zhang lon ched po
(r51) bskos pa'I gzhi dang gthugs na / / phrin blon blon stag bzher rgod khyung la stsogs pa'I phrin byang / cog ro legs 'dus las / / byI ba lo'i dpyid sla tha cungs /
(r52) tshes bzhI la mchIs pa las 'byung ba' / / byI ba lo'i dbyar / zhang lon ched po so la mchis pa'I 'dun tsa long cur btab pa'I lan la / / rgya sha cu pa sde gnyis
(r53) su bcad nas / las sgo dang / dpon snar bskos pa dang / lung stsal pa' / / bod las sha cu pa'I dpon snar bskos pa' / rongs po g.yu gong rtse rje blon / khyung po /
(r54) klu rma rtse rje spyan / 'bro g.yu gong rtse rje 'bring po / 'bal du ma legs rtse rje chung ngu dang dgra blon go cu rub / / tshar lo spa sho stong cung du bskos nas / zangs gyI /
(r55) yI ge stsal / ser lha rma stong cung du bskos te thabs zangs chung ngu byin no / / rgya las dpon sna bskos pa' / do stag skyes rgya'I to dog dang bod kyi rtse rje'i /
(r56) zlar bskos te / 'phra men gyI yIge chung ngu snga na yod pa las / thugs pags mdzad de / na cig gis bstod nas / phra men gyI yi ge ched po stsal / / ^an bung yIg
(r57) to dog 'og pon du bskos te / thabs ra gan gyi yige yod pa las / ngo'i tshe thugs pags mdzad nas / ra gan gyI yi ge ched po byin no / / ### sde /
(r58) gcig gI dpon snar bskos pa' / / yem pheng stong zlar bskos te / thabs ra gan gyI yI ge chung ngu dbang ba / snga na ra gan gyI yi ge chung ngu mchis pa las / thugs /
(r59) pags mdzad de / ngo'i tshe na cig bstod de / ra gan gyI yi ge ched po byin no / / cang mdo tse sde gcIg gi khral pon dang gzhi rdzongs su bskos so / / sag pho sngon to dog /
(r60) gI rgyud lags pas / rjes su thugs pags mdzad de / / spyI'i khral pon ched por bskos te / gtsang chen rkyen gyI bya dga' zhig byin no / / tshe'u cang zhI sde'i chu mngan /
(r61) du bskos so / / lI pu hvar spyI'i zhing pon ched por bskos te / thabs gtsang chen mchis pa / thugs pags mdzad de / gtsang chen rkyen gyi bya dga' zhig stsal /
(r62) to /:/ chang stag legs chu mngan du bskos so / / ### sde gcig gI dpon snar bskos pa' / khang se'u tam stong zlar bskos te / thabs ra gan gyI yi ge chung ngu
(r63) dbang ba las / ngo'i tshe thugs pags mdzad / nas / na cig gis bstod de / ra gan gyI yi ge ched po byin no / / lI'u hvang khral pon dang gzhI rdzongs su bskos so /
(r64) ^an hIng tse sde'i zhIng pon du bskos so / / lI phyin spyi'i chu mngan du bskos so / / cang de'u 'do stong cung du bskos te / thabs zangs chung ngu dbang ba las /
(r65) sug pa na ra gan chung ngu mchIs pas / thugs pags mdzad de / zangs chung ngu'i rkyen rdungs dang 'drubs stsal to / / bam stag zigs mngan du bskos so /
(r66) jeng lha rton mngan du bskos so / / yang klu legs chu mngan du bskos so / / wang ^an sde'i chu mngan du bskos so / dza ^an sde'i zhing pon du bskos so /
(r67) zhes 'byung / / 'brIng yas btsan kong bro stsal te rmas na / lnga lugs gyIs bod las bskos pa'I dmag pon chung ngu'i rnams / lho bal nang gI khri dpon dang /
(r68) stong pon gyi gong du mchis pa las / tse nge pong bra skyes pu yog pa'I stong zlar bskos pas / lho bal gyI stong cung bod las bskos pa'I gong du / stong /
(r69) zla mchis par gnang zhes gral thabs gyI bla spring gcIg mchis nas / / lho bal gyI stong pon rnams gyIs de'i zla dpes blar gsol nas / dmag pon /
(r70) chung ngu rnams gyI gong du mchis par bcad de / / phyag rgya stsal pa las / / spre'u lo'i dbyar dmag pon chung ngu rnams gyIs gsol nas / rtsis pa dang /
(r71) gsang la gtogs pas / dbyangs dkyIgs te zhus pa las / slad cad lho bal gyi nang nas bskos pa' / khrI dpon la stsogs pa / g.yu pa gser pa'i /
(r72) gong du dmag pon chung ngu mchIs par / zhang btsan bzang dang / zhang khrI brtsan dang zhang rgyal tsan dang / zhang khri dog rjes mchid kyIs bcad de / khri sde re re /
(r73) phyag rgya re re stsal ces gsol / / spre'u'i lo la lho bal stong 'dul pa'I dpon sna bod dang lho bal las bskos pa'i rnams / gral thabs la mchid /
(r74) myI mjal nas / / bde blon dang spyan gyis mchid kyIs bcad pa bla nas nI ma mchIs par gyur / stong sde re re yang phyag rgya re re stsal pa yang / 'phrald du /
(r75) 'dun tsar gthug du ma mchis / / 'dI ltar mchid kyis bcad par nI / g[sang] la gtogs pa / blon legs bzher khyi ma 'dod la stsogs pa la g.yar
(r76) tshod mchis shes gsol nas / / dbyangs dkyigs te zhus pa las / / sha cu'I dpon sna'I gral thabs slan cad 'dI bzhin mchi' shig par
(r77) rtse rje blon dang spyan gyI steng du spring shig ces / / zhang btsan bzang dang blon rgyal sgra dang spyan blon byang bzher dang blon g.yu sgras mchid /
(r78) kyIs bcad / / nas / blon leg bzher khyi ma 'dod dang blon klu bzher sngo brtsan gyI sug rgya 'og nas gtad nas / / sha cu'I rtse rje dang / /
(r79) dpon sna'i gral thabs slan cad 'dI bzhin du mchis par dkar cag 'og dpe' brIs pa' / / sha cu'I dpon sna'I gral thabs mchid /
(r80) kyIs bcad de / / slan cad 'dI bzhin mchIs pa la / / rtse rje blon dang khrI dpon go cu rub / / khrI spyan / / to dog ched po / stong pon bod las
(r81) bskos pa'I rnams / / rtse rje 'og pon / / to dog chung ngu / / rgya'I spyan / / stong zla rgya las bskos pa'i rnams / / stong cung bod las /
(r82) bskos pa'I rnams / / rtse rje chung ngu dang mngan go cu rub / / sha cu spyI'i dgra blon bod las bskos pa' / / stong cung gI zla rgya las /
(r83) bskos pa'I rnams / / dgra blon rgya las bskos pa / rgya spyI'i khral pon ched po / / khri dpon yIge pa zhes 'byung / / zhang klu sgra dang /
(r84) blon zla bzang dang / blon g.yu bzher dang blon mang rje la zhus / / lha lung zigs gyIs gdugs te spad / / (a square vermilion seal)
(v1) gra[l] thabs gy[i?] phyag rgya

Source Colophon

The Old Tibetan source text is from the Pelliot tibétain manuscript collection held at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), catalogued as PT 1089. The text was accessed via the Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) corpus, a digital archive maintained by Takeuchi Tsuguhito (武内紹人) and Imaeda Yoshiro (今枝由郎), hosted at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), Kyoto. URL: archives?p=Pt_1089. The OTDO corpus presents the text in Wylie transliteration with editorial brackets indicating damaged or uncertain passages.

The manuscript was recovered from the sealed library cave (Cave 17) at the Mogao Grottoes near Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, and was part of the Pelliot collection acquired by Paul Pelliot during his 1906–1908 expedition. The Tibetan-period administrative documents from Dunhuang date to the period of Tibetan rule over the Hexi Corridor (c. 781–848 CE).

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