Dagyab Labrang

A Labrang (bla-brang) is the private residence and administrative “household” of a lama. The Dagyab Labrang's main duty was the care of the Kyabgoen, as well as organizing his activities. In some special cases it also provided help to individuals living in Dagyab county. The Labrang was also the main financial support of the monasteries. However, it was not part of the monastery itself. Since the county wasn't fully governed by the central government of Lhasa, the Labrang had the right to collect taxes and to pass laws. Both Magoen and Bugoen had separate Labrang administrations.

The administrative offices of the Dagyab Labrang were housed in the Red Palace, “Phodrang Marpo”. The Red Palace had five floors with many shrines, assembly halls and private rooms for Rinpoche. There were two courtyards in front. The inner courtyard was lined with buildings of three stories which housed the living quarters and office of the General Treasurer, living quarters for the General Secretary “Drung-chen”, the main office “Yigtsang”, and the offices of the Treasurer “Nyerkhang” and the Administrator “Chagkhang”.

Surrounding the outer courtyard were about fifty rooms. These served as living quarters and storerooms for Rinpoche's personal attendants and other staff members of the Labrang. The traditional ritual Cham dances of Dratshang Nangpa, Rinpoche's private monastery, were performed in this courtyard.