The Treasury of Lives

Ngawang Tashi (ngag dbang bkra shis) was born in Nyalung Village in Rebkong (reb kong), in 1678, the earth-horse year of the eleventh sexagenary cycle. His father, a peasant belonging to the Se (bse) clan, was named Rinchen Kyab (rin chen skyabs) and his mother was named Nyingmo Jam (snying mo byams).

His parents were given a prophecy that they should dress their son in monk's robes, and thus he never wore lay clothes. It is said that when he would play with other children he always pretended to be circumambulating a stupa or imitating teachers, putting his hands on other children and saying he was giving initiations.

He received novice vows from Gargong Tseten Gyatso (mgar gong tshe brtan rgya mtsho, d.u.), who named him Jinpa Gyatso (sbyin pa rgya mtsho). When he turned sixteen he made a pilgrimage to U and enrolled in Gomang (bkra shis sgo mang) college of Drepung monastic university. There he studied basic philosophy with Dondrub Gyatso (don grub rgya mtsho, d.u.). He briefly moved to Taktsang Rawato (stag tshang rwa ba stod) for additional courses. Back at Gomang he studied with Ozer Gyatso ('od zer rgya mtsho, d.u.), and received praise from the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso (ta la'i bla ma 06 tshangs dbyangs rgya mtsho, 1783-1806) for his recitations. As he advanced in his studies he studied under the First Jamyang Zhepa, Jamyang Zhepai Dorje ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa'i rdo rje, 1648-1721).

During his study at Gomang his earned a reputation as a tireless student. It is said that he studied all day and all night; when he was reciting at nights, in order to keeping him awake, he would knock a large rock with a small stone. The Lubum Khangtsen (klu 'bum khang tsan), where he had his residence, is said to have a small stone basin that resulted from this activity. Sometimes, he looped a rope around his neck, trying it to a pole on the ceiling, to keep himself from falling over as he sat. Around this time, (perhaps not surprisingly, since he denied himself sleep), he came down with a very serious illness. Hearing that his disciple was near death, Jamyang Zhepa sent him a amulet and some holy water, and as a result his situation improved.

At the time, still fearing death, he sought out further ordination from the Second Rongwo Drubchen Ngawang Trinle Gyatso (rong bo grub chen 02 ngag dbang 'phrin las rgya mtsho, 1678-1739), who was then in Lhasa. The Second Rongwo Drubchen gave him a set of robes and the name Ngawang Tashi. Later Jamyang Zhepa gave him full monastic ordination.

At the age twenty-nine he started studying tantra at Gyume College (rgyud smad grwa tshang) under instructions from the fiftieth Ganden Tripa Gendun Puntsok (khri chen dge 'dun phun tshogs, 1648-1724) and Jamyang Zhepa.

In 1709 he accompanying Jamyang Zhepa to Amdo where he assisted in the establishment of Labrang Tashikhyil Monastery (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil). In 1710, at the command of Jamyang Zhepa, he was assigned to the post of disciplinarian (dge skos), and later, in 1719, as throne holder, a post he held until his death in 1738.

Ngawang Tashi trained dozens of Buddhist scholars at Labrang, including Sherab Dorje, later the thirteenth abbot of the tantric college (shes rab rdo rje, 1711-1784); Kangyurwa Lobzang Nyima (bka' 'gyur ba blo bzang nyi ma, 1639-1718); Beri Tutob Gyeltsen (be ri mthu stobs rgyal mtshan,1695-1774); Jamyang Pelden, later the seventh abbot of the tantric college  ('jam dbyangs dpal ldan, 1682-1754); Lobzang Neten Tsondru, later the seventh throne holder of Labrang (blo bzang gnas brtan brtson 'grus, 1696-1754); and the Third Lhakhang Lungpa Gendun Gyatso (lha khang lung pa 03 dge 'dun rgya mtsho, 1662-1737).

During at his teaching at Labrang he primarily taught from the writings of Jamyang Zhepa. Notes taken by various disciples on his philosophical teachings were originally circulated in seven forms, only three of which are available today. His writings in philosophy are highly valued by current Tibetan scholars and some of them are studied by current Tibetan students at universities.

Ngawang Tashi passed away at the age sixty one, in 1738. Ngawang Jamyang Tashi (ngag dbang 'jam dbyangs bkra shis, 1738/1739-1813) was identified as his reincarnation, taking the title of Setsang Lama (bse tshang bla ma). Se came from Ngawang Tashi's clan name; "tsang" is an honorific.