The Treasury of Lives

Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk (skal bzang thub bstan dbang phyug) was born in Tashi Lhalung (bkra shis lha lung) in Derge (sde dge) in 1856, the fire-dragon year of fourteenth sexagenary cycle. His father was Zhenpen Delek Jungne (gzhan phan dge legs 'byung gnas, d.u) and his mother was named Zhenpen Chotso (gzhan phan chos 'tsho, d.u). His childhood name was Wangchen Tobgye (dbang chen stobs rgyas).

According to his hagiographies, as a child he recited prayers while sitting cross-legged, and would claim that he was the a bodhisattva named Lobzang Jigme Jamyang (blo bzang 'jigs med 'jam dbyangs) and was responsible for a large monastery with a statue of Maitreya. The identity of the reference is unclear.

At the age of four he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Third Jamyang Zhepa, Lobzang Tubten Gyatso, (thub bstan 'jigs med rgya mtsho, 1792-1855) and enthroned at Labrang Tashikhyil (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil). The following year he began his education under a disciple of his previous incarnation, Dobi Lharampa Tendzin Gyatso (rdo sbis lha rams pa bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho, d.u), and he received lay and novice vows from Sherab Gyatso (shes rab rgya mtsho, 1803-1875), who gave him the name Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk.

As he turned to twenty, Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk went to Lhasa and enrolled Gomang (sgo mang) College at Drepung ('bras spung) Monastery, where he studied under Geshe Lobzang Namgyel (dge bshes blo bzang rnam rgyal, d.u) for four years. While there he received full ordination from the reincarnation of a Ponlob Jampa (dpon slob byams pa).

Upon his return to Labrang, in 1879, he established the Hevajra Tantric College and initiated the study of related practices and rituals. Later he also organized some temple constructions, including the re-construction of gathering hall. At the age of twenty-eight, in 1883, he was made throne holder of Labrang,

In 1898, at age forty-three, Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk went to Beijing, via Wutai Shan (ri bo rtse lnga, 清凉山), where he was received at the court of the Guangxu Emperor (光緒r. 1875-1908), who gifted him with a golden seal. Several years after his return to Amdo, in 1903, he established Ganden Chopel Ling (dga' ldan chos 'phel gling) in Serzhong (gser gzhong), not far from Labrang.

He undertook another trip to U and Tsang in 1909, this time visiting numerous sacred mountains, including Kailash, Tsari, and sites connected to Milarepa (mi la ras pa, 1040-1123), such as Drakkar Taso (brag dkar rta so) and Kyirong (skyid grong). In Lhasa he received teachings from the Ninth Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Tubten Chokyi Nyima (blo bzang thub bstan chos kyi nyi ma, 1883-1937) and the Third Taktra (stag brag 03 ngag dbang gsung rab mthu stobs, 1874-1952), who was later regent of Tibet. After four years in the region he returned Labrang at the age of fifty-eight.

Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk trained a number of disciples, including Lodro Gyatso (blo gros rgya mtsho, 1851-1928), Alak Lakho Jigme Trinle Gyatso (a lags bla kho 'jigs med 'phrin les rgya mtsho, 1866-1948), Chone Lama Lobzang Gyatso (co ne bla ma blo bzang rgya mtsho, b. 1870). His compositions were compiled into five volumes, with blocks carved at Labrang Monastery.

He passed away in 1916, the fire-dragon year of fifteenth sexagenary cycle. His relics were kept in a silver stupa, constructed under the supervision of the Third Pelmang, Jamyang Tendzin Gyatso (dbal mang 03 'jam dbyang bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho, 1854-1919).