The Treasury of Lives

Khenpo Lobzang Puntsok (mkhan po blo bzang phun tshogs) was born in 1880 in Tingmosgang village in Ladakh to a family known as Abdalpa (ab dal pa). His father's name was Puntsok Namgyel (phun tshogs rnam rgyal) and his mother's name was Tsering Stanzom (tshe ring bstan 'dzom). He was the third child among his four siblings: Lobzang Trinle (blo bzang 'phrin las), Lobzang Rinchen (blo bzang rin chen), and Lobzang Tsewang (blo bzang tshe dbang).

At the age of eight he became a novice at Likir Monastery (klu 'khyil dgon), where he had previously received lay vows. It was at this time he was given the name Lobzang Puntsok. He completed his primary education under Lobzang Peljor (blo bzang dpal 'byor).

At the age of thirteen he went to Tibet for further education. He entered Drepung Loseling ('bras spungs blo gsal gling) and studied the five main topics of scholastic training under various scholars. At the age of twenty, in presence of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Tubten Gyatso (P197 ta la'i bla ma 13 thub bstan rgya mtsho, 1876–1933) he completed his exams and received the vows of full ordination. He remained at Drepung for over twenty years, attaining a reputation as a master of both sūtra and tantra.

At the age of thirty-six he returned to Ladakh and stayed in Likir Monastery, where he reorganized the liturgical calendar. In the year 1932, at the age of fifty-two, the Twelfth Ngari Tsang Rinpoche, Jetsun Lobzang Stanzin Gyatso (mnga ris gtsang rin po che 12 rje btsun blo bzang bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho) gave him the responsibility of abbot for seven major monasteries in Ladakh and western Tibet: Rangdum Monastery (rang sdum dgon), Karsha Monastery (dkar sha dgon), Stongde Monastery (stong sde dgon), Phugtal Monastery (phug dhal dgon), Mune Monastery (mu ne dgon), Lingshed Monastery (ling shed dgon), and Likir.

In 1953, at the age of seventy-two, he experienced severe pain in his eyes and legs and returned to his home to prepare for his death. Before leaving he gave his disciples a final teaching and promised that he would meet them again in his next life. He wore a simple white thin robe and silently meditated for five days. On the fifth day, in the presence of various auspicious conditions, he passed away. A reliquary stūpa was erected at Likir. His incarnation is said to have been born into a family associated with Likir Monastery.