The Treasury of Lives

Dorje Palam (rdo rje pha lam) was born in Jaryul Dreshong (byar yul 'bras gshong), in southern Tibet, in the late fifteenth century. His father was named Tsoje Pema Karpo ('tsho byed padma dkar po), who served as personal physician for the Seventh Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso (karma pa 07 chos grags rgya mtsho, 1454-1506).

He received monastic and medical trainings at Menkhar Pende Ling (sman mkhar phan bde gling), a monastic hospital in Jaryul, the facility where he had been born. He studied under his father and a teacher named Kyempa Tsebum (skyem pa tshe 'bum). He trained in the Zur tradition (zur lugs).

He is said to have had a considerable influence in the medical tradition in southern Tibet where he trained a number of students, including Dawai Gonpo (la ba'i mgon po), Dawai Wangpo (zla ba'i dbang po), and Chonggye Tsoje Kundor ('phyongs rgyas 'tsho byed kun rdor). His academic works include the commentaries of the Four Medical Tantra.