Ngawang Jamyang Tashi (ngag dbang 'jam dbyangs bkra shis) was born in Gengya Gongma (rgan gya gong ma) near Labrang (bla brang) monastery, in 1739, the earth-sheep year of twelfth sexagenary cycle. His father was named Lhabum Tashi (lha 'bum bkra shis) and his mother Tsomo Gyel (mtsho mo rgyal).
In 1746 he was identified as the reincarnation of Ngawang Tashi (ngag dbang bkra shis, 1678-1738) by the First Detri, Lobzang Dondrub (sde khri 01 blo bzang don grub, 1673-1746) and given the title of Setsang (bse tshang); "Se" came from Ngawang Tashi's clan name, and "tsang" means "household." Ngawang Tashi was thus posthumously given the title of First Setsang. Ngawang Jamyang Tashi was enthroned at Labrang and began his studies there under Chokyong Gyatso (chos skyong rgya mtsho, d.u), who had been a disciple of Ngawang Tashi.
When he was twenty years old he received full ordination from Ngawang Tendzin (ngag dbang bstan 'dzin, 1696-1762), the fourth throne-holder of Labrang.
The Second Jamyang Zhepa, Konchok Jigme Wangpo ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa 02 dkon mchog 'jigs med dbang po, 1728-1791) and Gyeltsen Sengge (rgyal mtshan seng+ge, 1678-1756), who was the Fifty-third Ganden Tripa (dga' ldan khri pa), gave him various teachings and empowerments.
The Second Jamyang Zhepa appointed him as the twelfth throne holder of Labrang in 1760, when he turned twenty-three, but the appointment was not successful. The First Setsang had supported another candidate, backed by Mongolian power, as the rebirth of the First Jamyang Zhepa, Jamyang Zhepai Dorje ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa'i rdo rje, 1641-c.1721), and once the Second Setsang came to power at Labrang, the faction behind the other candidate was emboldened to push for recognition of their man. As a result, the Mongolian faction was exiled, together with the Second Setsang, all of them sent to a place called Namkha (nam mkha'), where they found support with the local leadership, thus creating lasting tension between the region and Labrang.
He initially moved to Terlung Yiga Chodzin Ling (gter lung yid dga chos 'dzin gling) Monastery. Later he stayed at Ganden Chokhor Pelgye Ling (dga ldan chos 'khor 'phel rgyas gling) in Gengya and Tubten Chokhor Ling (thub bstan chos 'khor gling) in Gartse (mgar rtse). He supervised the educational system and monastic rules at the three monasteries. He also established Martang Obten Monastery (mar thang ob bstan dgon pa) in the region. During this period, Rongwo Nangso (rong bo nang so), the local Tibetan official in Rebkong (reb gong), invited Ngawang Jamyang Tashi to Rongwo Monastery, Gonchen Tosam Namgyel Ling (rong bo dgon chen thos bsam rnam rgyal gling) and arranged for him to serve as the fourteenth abbot there. He spent his rest of his life in Gengya and supervised Gengya Monastery, Drakkar Gon (rgan rgya brag dkar dgon), after being invited there by the community.
Among his students was the seventeenth abbot of Rongwo, Ngawang Mipam Dawa (ngag dbang mi pham zla ba, 1767-1807).
He passed away in 1813, the water-bird year of fourteenth sexagenary cycle.
Bibliography
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