The Ninth Ganden Tripa,Trichen Lobzang Nyima (dga' ldan khri pa 09 blo bzang nyi ma) was born in Tsongkha in Amdo (mdo smad tsong kha) in 1439, the water-sheep year of the eighth sexagenary cycle. He was born to either a nephew or niece of Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (tsong kha pa blo bzang grags pa, 1357-1419) and was thus called Jewon Lobzang Nyima (rje dbon blo bzang nyi ma), Lord Nephew Lobzang Nyima.

Lobzang Nyima travelled at the young age to U-Tsang and studied under a number of masters including Musepa Lodro Rinchen (mus srad pa blo gros rin chen, d.u.), Lama Takleb Janggyal (bla ma ltag leb byang rgyal, d.u.), and Lobpon Drakpa Wopa (slob dpon grags pa 'od pa, d.u.). He then took examinations on twenty texts at Sangpu Monastery (gsang phu) and also engaged in debate with Lobpon Tsenyakpa (slob dpon rtse nyag pa, d.u.), defeating him. Among his other teachers were Jangchup Gyeltsen (byang chub rgyal mtshan, d.u.) and Drakpa Ozer (grangs pa 'od zer, d.u.).

The following year Lobzang Nyima served as master at the monastery of Rato (ra stod), and then proceeded to Tashilhunpo (bkra shis lhun po). There he met with Gendun Drub (dge 'dun grub, 1391-1474), the founder of the monastery who was posthumously recognized as the First Dalai Lama. Lobzang Nyima received many teachings from Gedun Drub and became one of his most devoted disciples.

He then joined to Drepung Monastery ('bras spungs), and served as the abbot for a few years. At the age of forty-three he returned to Sangpu and served as the dharma master (chos rje) of the monastery and gave many teachings including on Drang nges rnam ’byed. 

In 1490, the iron-dog year of the eighth sexagenary cycle, at the age of fifty-two, Lobzang Nyima was enthroned to the seat of Ganden Monastery (dge' ldan), serving as the Ninth Ganden Tripa (dga' ldan khri pa) for three years and teaching extensively. He passed away while in office, at the age of fifty-four, in 1492, the water-mouse year of the eighth sexagenary cycle.

The names of his disciples are not recorded.

Samten Chhosphel earned his PhD from CIHTS in India where he served as the head of Publication Dept. for 26 years. He has a Master’s degree in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Boston. Currently he is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the City University of New York, and Language Associate in Columbia University, NY.

Published September 2010