The Treasury of Lives

The Fifty-sixth Ganden Tripa, Lobzang Drime (dga' ldan khri pa 56 blo bzang dri med) was born in Kham Shok Druk (mdo khams shog drug) in the year of water-pig of the eleventh sexagenary cycle, in 1683. He was said to be the reincarnation of the Seventeenth Ganden Tripa, Trichen Dorje Zangpo (dga' ldan khri pa 17 khri chen rdo rje bzang po, 1491-1554).

At a young age Lobzang Drime was admitted in Genden Chopeling Monastery (dge ldan chos 'phel gling chos sde) in Shok Druk (shog drug). The monastery had recently been established by Depa Solpon (sde pa gsol dpon, d.u.) whose personal name is not known; he was a monk from Tsetang Monastery who served as a personal assistant to Gomang Khenpo Torgo (sgo mang mkhan po thor rgod, d.u.), an abbot of Litang Monastery (li thang dgon). There Lobzang Drime learned reading, memorization of prayer texts, musical instruments and rituals as per the newly established tradition.

Lobzang Drime departed for Tsang to further his studies but he had to redirect his journey to U at the recommendation of Sanggye Chopel, the abbot of Litang Monastery (li thang mkhan po sangs rgyas chos 'phel, d.u.). He matriculated in Loseling College of the Drepung Monastic University ('bras spungs blo gsal gling grwa tshang). There he studied Logic, then Abhisamayālaṃkāra, Madhyamaka, Abhidharmakośa, Pramāṇavārttika, and Vinaya, the five major subjects of the Geluk monastic curriculum, under private tutors as well as eminent scholars at the monastery.

He is said to have slept little and studied hard, and lived on limited provisions sent from his home. After a number of years the support ended and he went to the Lhasa market to sell his last piece of gold. It is said that on way to Lhasa he was stopped by a crow that cawed continuously and showed him a spot where he found three pieces of ngulsang (dngul srang) which he accepted as a divine-gift and returned to his room.

Lobzang Drime successfully stood for the traditional geshe examination at the 1723 Lhasa Monlam Chenmo, and is said to have been widely admired for his skills in debate. Tulku Lobzang Tenpai Nyima, (sprul sku blo bzang bstan pa'i nyi ma, d.u.), believed to be the reincarnation of the Forty-fourth Ganden Tripa, Lodro Gyatso (dga' ldan khri pa 44 khri chen blo gros rgya mtsho, 1635-1688) was particularly pleased with his performance and gave him several important transmissions.

Thereafter, Lobzang Drime enrolled in Gyume College and studied tantra, both scripture and rituals, becoming a highly regarded scholar of his era. Foreseeing his service in the Geluk tradition Pawo Donyo Khedrub (dpa' bo don yod mkhas grub, d.u.), a highly respected lama at Gyume College, presented him a gift of new robes (chos gos) and offered him advice. Lobzang Drime then put on the yellow ceremonial robe and walked to his room, surprising his roommates; this was later taken as a sign of his future ascent to the Golden Throne. After completion of his studies in tantra, Lobzang Drime was appointed as the abbot of Sangngak Khar Monastery (gsangs sngags mkhar) and later as the abbot of Gyume College as well. During his tenure he focused mainly on the education and discipline, and he made attempts to improve the quality of meal-offerings. He donated all the materials and money that he received as offerings for the welfare of monks and the development of the monasteries, and built a new assembly hall at Tsal (tshal).

Lobzang Drime next served as the abbot of Ganden Jangtse, and in 1750, the iron-horse year of the thirteenth sexagenary cycle, at the age of sixty-eight, was enthroned as the Fifty-sixth Ganden Tripa. He served for about seven years, until 1757.

Lobzang Monlam, who later became the Sixty-second Ganden Tripa (dga' ldan khri pa 62 blo bzang smon lam, 1729-1798) was among his disciples.

He retired from the throne in 1757 and settled at Jayul Chode (bya yul chos sde). He sponsored many new statues and images, including a gold gilt statue of Tsongkhapa and gave many teachings. He passed into nirvana while guiding the community; the date is not known. As reliquary a silver stupa of enlightenment (byung chub mchod rten) was installed in the Sarma Lhakhang (gsar ma lha khang).