The Treasury of Lives

Gendun Konchok Lobzang Tendzin (dge 'dun dkon mchog blo bzang bstan 'dzin) was born in 1796, the fire-dragon year of the thirteenth sexagenary cycle, in Arik (a rig), Amdo (a mdo). He was identified as the rebirth of the Second Maṇipa, Lobzang Khechok (maNipa 02 blo bzang mkhas mchog, 1719-1791) and officially enthroned at his seat, Dzongkar Kadam Podrang Tashi Dargye Ling Monastery (rdzong dkar bka' gdams pho brang bkra shis dar rgyas gling) at the age of seven. In the same year, he received the renunciation vow and novice monastic ordinations, as well as teachings and transmissions, from the Third Gungtang, Konchok Tenpai Dronme (gung thang 03 dkon mchog bstan pa'i sgron me, 1762-1823), who gave him the name Gendun Konchok Lobzang Tendzin.

When he turned twenty-one, he traveled to central Tibet and received full ordination from the Fourth Paṇchen Lama, Tenpai Nyima (paN chen 04 bstan pa'i nyi ma, 1782-1853) at Tashilhunpo Monastery (bkra shis lhun po). Lobzang Tendzin returned to Amdo loaded with heavy Tibetan Buddhist objects and volumes, including a hand-written Nartang (snar thang) edition of the Kangyur. In Amdo he managed various monastic construction projects at Dzongkar, including the reconstruction of the assembly hall and the temple of Maitreya.

He supported the young Fourth Gungtang, Konchok Tenpai Gyatso (gung thang 04 dkon mchog bstan pa'i rgya mtsho, 1824-1859), offering him supplies for his travel to Lhasa, including ten white dzo ('dzos).

He received additional teachings from a teacher known as Serkhangwa Lobzang Tenpai Gyatso (gser khang ba blo bzang bstan pa'i rgya mtsho, 1780-1848), who visited Dzongkar.

Lobzang Tendzin was known to have great interest and skill in traditional Tibetan arts.

He passed away in 1851, the iron-pig year of the fourteenth sexagenary cycle, at the age of fifty-six. A memorial stūpa was built for him at Dzongkar Monastery.