The Treasury of Lives

The First Amdo Zhamar, Ngawang Trinle (a mdo zhwa dmar 01 ngag dbang 'phrin las) was born into the Zhamar (zhwa dmar) clan in 1661, the iron-cow year of the eleventh sexagenary cycle. His father was called Karma Kyab (kar ma skyabs).

He travelled to U-Tsang for advanced studies and matriculated in Gomang (sgo mang) college of Drepung monastic university ('bras spung). There he achieved considerable successes in his studies, such that it is said there was no one at Drepung, Ganden, or Sera Monasteries who was capable of besting him in debate. Following his examinations at the Lhasa Monlam Chenmo (lha sa smon lam chen mo) prayer festival he enrolled in Gyuto (rgyud stod) college in Lhasa.

Having completed his studies he returned to Amdo, where he continued to build his reputation as a formidable debater. At Lamo Dechen (la mo bde chen) Monastery he debated Kachupa Ngawang Tashi (bka' bcu pa ngag dbang bkra shis, d.u). The First Jamyang Zhepa, Ngawang Tsondru ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa 01 ngag dbang brtson 'grus, 1648-1722) viewed the performance and praised him. 

It is said that Jamyang Zhepa appointed him to the throne of Labrang Tashikhyil (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil) Monastery, but this is unlikely, as the monastery was only established in 1709, and Jamyang Zhepa held the post until 1719, after which his disciple Ngawang Tashi, the First Setsang (bse tshang 01 ngag dbang bkra shis, 1678-1738) took the throne and held it until 1738. It is likely that he taught at the monastery for some time during its early years.

In 1715, at the age of fifty four, Ngawang Trinle ascended to the abbatial throne of Lamo Dechen monastery. There he trained disciples such as the Fourth Zhabdrung Karpo, Lobzang Tubten Gelek Gyeltsen (zhabs drung dkar po 04 blo bzang thub bstan dge legs rgyal mtshan, 1729-1726). He served at Lamo Dechen for twelve years, until his death in 1726.