Kashag

The Kashag was the governing council of Tibet. The civil administration was represented by Council (Kashag). The Council administrated matters of private and national interests. It was constituted of three temporal officials and one monk. Each of them held the title of kalön. The function of the Council was to express opinions about matters or problems concerning the civil administration of the country and to present these opinions to the office of the first minister. The first minister then presented these opinions to the Dalai Lama for a final decision. The privilege of presenting recommendations for appointing executive officials, governors and district commissioners gave the Council a lot of power.

Ministries

Under the Council was the government administration, divided into ministries: political, military, economic, judicial, foreign, financial and educational. Except for the Ministry of Finance (cikhang), all ministries had two representatives – one temporal and one monastic. The Ministry of Finance had four temporal officials. Each of them held the title of cipön. All ministries had a right to make decisions to the extent of their competence. Matters, or problems outside the competence of ministries were (with a particular ministry’s given opinion) presented to the Council. Everything outside the competence of the Council was presented to the Dalai Lama himself.

Translation

The word "Kashag" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Dutch.

Translation in Polish: Kaszag.