The Treasury of Lives

Lobzang Nyendrak (blo bzang snyan grags) was born in Amdo in a place near Tsedo Tashi Chodzong (rtse mdo bkra shis chos rdzong) in 1718, the earth-dog year of the twelfth sexagenary cycle. His family claimed descent from the thirteenth century Mongolian Khagan Ariq Boke, who lost the struggle with Kubilai Khan for control of Tibet and China.

He received novice vows from his brother, Geshe Jarok Dong (dge shes bya rog gdong, d.u.) and later matriculated at Labrang Tashikhyil (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil). There he received the teachings of Pramāṇa and Prajñāpāramitā from Lobzang Dondrub (blo bzang don grub, 1673-1746), the third throne holder of Labrang Tashikhyil, who also gave him full ordinations. He continued studying Madhyamaka, Abhidharma and Vinaya under various tutors, including the Second Gungtang, Ngawang Tenpai Gyeltsen (gung thang 02 ngag dbang bstan pa'i rgyal mtshan, 1727-1759); Ngawang Tendzin (ngag dbang bstan 'dzin, 1696-1762), and Lobzang Dondrub. The Second Gungtang instructed him to dwell at the hermitage of Yiga Chodzin (yid dga' chos 'dzin), but he responded that without an understanding of both the Vinaya and tantric teachings there would no value for him to enter retreat.

In 1756 Lobzang Nyendrak went on pilgrimage to U and enrolled in Sera Je (se ra byes) at the command of the Second Jamyang Zhepa, Konchok Jigme Wangpo ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa 02 dkon mchog 'jigs med dbang po, 1728-1791). He is said to have completed his exams within thirteen days. While at Sera he received teachings on both sutra and tantra from the Fifth Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Yeshe (paN chen bla ma 02 blo bzang ye shes, 1663-1737); the Third Changkya, Rolpai Dorje (lcang skya 02 rol ba'i rdo rje, 1717-1786); the First Purbuchok, Ngawang Jamba (phur bu lcogs 01 ngag dbang byams pa, 1682-1762); and Bari Ponlob Ngawang Dondrub (ba ri dpon slob ngag dbang don grub, d.u.).

In 1759 he returned back to Labrang with the Second Jamyang Zhepa and studied tantra at the Labrang Tantric College (bla brang rgyud pa grwa tshang). When he was preparing to enter into solitary meditation, the Second Jamyang Zhepa invited him to his residence and announced that Labrang would establish an educational degree system similar to that of the monastic universities in Lhasa. He asked Lobzang Nyendrak to be the first to take the exams and earn the degree, Doramba (mdo rams pa). He did so the following year, engaging in five days of public debate. He continued his studies in tantra, specifically the Cakrasaṃvara, Vajrapāṇi, and Vajrabhairava systems.

In 1761 the twelfth throne holder of Labrang, Ngawang Jamyang Tashi (bla brang khri 12 ngag dbang 'jam dbyangs bkra shis, 1738-1813) retired. After a Geshe Ngawang (dge bshes ngag dbang, d.u.) declined the position, Lobzang Nyendrak was assigned to the post. He remained in the post until 1767.

After his retirement from the Labrang abbacy he spent much of his time in solitary meditation, occasionally also giving teachings.

In 1778, at the command of the Second Jamyang Zhepa, he served as the abbot of Gyakhar Monastery (rgya mkhar dgon) in Tsu (gtsos). Sometime later he also served as the abbot at Urge (urge). During this period he made substantial offerings to the monasteries, and gave a Nartang edition of the Buddhist canon to the Second Jamyang Zhepa.

In 1800, at the age of eighty-four, he passed away. He taught through to the end of his life. His reincarnation was identified in the person of Lobzang Lungtok Nyima (blo bzang lung rtogs nyi ma,1801-1862), who took the title of the Second Nyendrak Tulku.