Soon after the Ming Dynasty replaced the Yuan Dynasty in 1368, the Central Government sent officials to the Tibetan-inhabited areas, calling for various tribal leaders to swear allegiance to the new ruler. Old official seals were reclaimed and replaced by new ones in a peaceful transition. The Ming continued sovereignty over Tibet.

The Ming abolished the official system the Yuan had adopted. But, the Ming rulers introduced a new system of granting official titles to Tibetan monks. All the representative figures in Tibet received official titles from the Ming court; granted official seals of authority, they managed affairs of their own areas. It was made clear then that the inheritance of their official titles was possible only with the approval of the emperor.

The central authorities of the Ming, following the administrative and military systems of the Yuan, with monk and lay leaders of various administrative and military organs appointed by the Central Government. The appointed officials were granted seals of authority. Their promotion or dismissal from office had to have the approval of the Central Government.