The Treasury of Lives

Kunzang Gyurme (kun bzang 'gyur med) was born at the end of the nineteenth century in a place called Pelyul Drozhin Puktok (dpal yul gro bzhin phug thog) in Derge, Kham. In his youth he entered Pelyul Monastery (dpal yul dgon) and took ordination from the eighth throne holder, the Third Karma Kuchen, Orgyen Dongak Chokyi Nyima (karma sku chen 03 o rgyan mdo sngags chos kyi nyi ma, 1854-1906), who gave him the empowerments, transmissions and instructions of Pelyul traditions. Participating in his tonsure ceremony was a man named Dzongnang Lama Tashi (rdzong nang bla ma bkra shis).

After the death of the Third Karma Kuchen he supervised monastic affairs until the enthronement of the ninth throne holder of Pelyul, the Second Penor Rinpoche, Rigdzin Pelchen Dupa (pad nor 02 rig 'dzin dpal chen 'dus pa, 1887-1932), whom he continued to advise. He was a respected teacher of tantra at the monastery.

Kunzang Gyurme taught the tenth throne holder of Pelyul, the Fourth Karma Kuchen, Karma Tekchok Nyingpo (karma sku chen 04 karma theg mchog snying po, 1908-1960). He taught at Muksang Monastery (rmugs sangs) as well.

The Second Penor Rinpoche identified his reincarnation in the person of Jampel Lodro ('jam dpal blo gros, 1931-1987). The origin of his title, Dzongnang Jepon (rdzong nang rje dpon), is not clear.