Renbangpa used to be a household minister of Jamqoi Gyaincain. In 1408, the Prince of Propagation of Pagmo Zhuba, Dixi Zhaba Gyaincain, appointed him Zongben of Rengbang Zong, and later on bestowed on him a jade seal of authority that remained effective for generation. From then on, his clan was referred to as Renbangpa.

Norbu Sangbo, grandson of Nanke Gyaincain, took over as Renbangpa when he reached the age of 12. At 25, he managed to take over Sangzhubze and, through marriage, moved into government affairs. Religiously speaking, Renbangpa established an association with the Red-Hat Sect of the Garma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Cojie Dorje banned monks with the three major monasteries in Lhasa from attending the Grand Summons Ceremony in Lhasa in 1498, which, for the next 20 years, was presided over by the Gargyu and Sagya sects. Renbangpa supported Gagyu and Sagya and suppressed the Gelug Sect. for this purpose, Renbangpa even resorted to force. At that point of time, Pagmo Zhuba dixi existed only in name with appointment of Dixi officials controlled entirely by Renbangpa.

Following the example of Renbangpa, in 1565, Shinshaba Cedain Dorje, a subject of Renbangpa, incited rebellion and seized the bulk of the areas belonging to Renbangpa in the Xigaze area.

In 1611, Shinshaba Puncong Namgyi assumed the post of Dixi in the xigaze area and was mentioned in history as Dixi Tsangpa. He led troops to invade the Lhasa area in the two years that followed him becoming Dixi, and captured Pengbo and Nedong, thus unifying the Xigaze and Lhasa areas.

In 1618, Shinshaba beat back Mongol troops who had been invited in by the Gelug Sect, and effectively controlled the whole of Tibet, with its political center lying at Sangzhubze.