The Treasury of Lives

The Zamtsa Serti incarnation line was initiated when the Second Zamtsa Sertri, Lobzang Jigme Namkha was identified as the reincarnation of Fifty-fifth Ganden Tripa, Trichen Ngawang Namkha Zangpo in the eighteenth century. The seat of this tulku line is at Labrang Tashikyil, an important Geluk monastery in Amdo.

Timeline

Biographies

Ngawang Namkha Zangpo served as the Fifty-fifth Ganden Tripa from 1746 to 1750, when he was deposed after refusing to perform hostile tantric rites in the service of one of the sons of the recently deceased King of Tibet, Polhane. He studied in the colleges of Drepung Gomang and Gyuto where he later served as abbot. He was also abbot of Ganden Shartse College from where he ascended to the golden throne of Ganden. His reincarnations are known as the Zamtsa Sertri.

Zamtsa Sertri Lobzang Jigme Namkha was identified as the reincarnation of the Fifty-fifth Ganden Tripa. A disciple of the Second Jamyang Zhepa, he studied in Labrang Tashikhyil where he later built the temple of Gyelwa Sengge Ngaro. He established the Ganden Jampeling Monastery in Mokri and the Beshing Monastery in Tsagyen Beshing where he served as abbot for about eight years. He also served as abbot of Ngawa Gomang and Muge Tashikhorlo monasteries. He travelled to Beijing and performed various religious activities that pleased the Emperor and rewarded him the title of Hutukhtu.

Lobzang Trinle Gyatso, the Third Zamtsa Sertri, was born in a Mongolian family and died at the young age of about eleven.

The Fourth Zamtsa Sertri, Jigme Samdrub Gyatso was a disciple of the Fourth Jamyang Zhepa. He served as the fifty-third throne holder of Labrang.

Kelzang Jigme Namkha was the fifth in the line of reincarnations of Zamtsa Sertri that originated from the Fifty-fifth Ganden Tripa, Trichen Ngawang Namkha. He studied in Labrang Tashikhyil in Amdo under the tutorship of Geshe Dentruk-tsang; and he also received many teachings and empowerments from the Fourth Jamyang Zhepa, Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk. Unfortunately he passed away at the young age of twenty-five.

Kelzang Lungrik Gyatso Pelzangpo was the sixth in the line of reincarnations of Zamtsa Sertri that originated from the Fifty-fifth Ganden Tripa, Trichen Ngawang Namkha. After studying at Labrang Tashikhyil he went to Lhasa for pilgrimage, passing away in Damzhung during his return.