The Ninth Kirti, Kelzang Lodro Kunga Lungtok Gyatso (kirti 09 skal bzang blo gros kun dga' lung rtogs rgya mtsho) was born near Taktsang Lhamo Monastery (stag tshang lha mo dgon) in 1905. His father was named Jinpa (sbyin pa) and his mother Khandro Tso (mkha 'gro 'tsho). It would seem that his mother was a relative of the Eighth Kirti, Lobzang Trinle Tenpa Gyatso (kirti 08 blo bzang 'phrin las bstan pa rgya mtsho, 1849-1904), as he was born in the house of the Eighth Kirti's mother, whose name was Jomotar (jo mo thar).
In 1908 the Fourth Jamyang Zhepa, Kelzang Tubten Wangchuk (skal bzang thub bstan dbang phyug, 1856-1916) recognized him as the Ninth Kirti. The following year he began to learn how to read and study sutras and tantras under a teacher named Tubten Gyatso (thub bstan rgya mtsho, d.u.) and was enthroned at Taktsang Lhamo Monastery. In the following two years, he traveled to the adjacent regions at the request of the regional leaders and the masses to preside over ceremonies.
In 1912, he was ordained as a novice by the Fourth Amdo Zhamar, Gendun Tendzin Gyatso (a mdo zhwa dmar 04 dge 'dun bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho, 1852-1912) who gave him the name Kelzang Lodro Kunga Lungtok Gyatso. Around that time he visited Tashi Samten Ling Monastery (bkra shis bsam bstan gling) in Hortsang (hor tshang), where envoys of the Jamyang Zhepa and other lamas came to greet him.
In 1915 the Jamyang Zhepa visited Taktsang Lhamo and gave him teachings. The two would sit together on the top floor of the prayer hall.
When Tsangla Tubten Gyatso resigned from his post as tutor, Geshe Yeshe Gyatso (dge bshes ye shes rgya mtsho, d.u.) who was known as Dringba Kampo ('bring ba skam po) became his tutor. In 1916 Jamyang Tubten Gyatso ('jam dbyangs thub bstan rgya mtsho, 1866-1928), the fifty-fifth abbot of Rongwo Gonchen (rong bo dgon chen) in Rebkong (reb kong), was brought to Taktsang Lhamo to instruct him.
In 1918, he received Kālacakra empowerment from Konchok Tubten Gyatso (dkon mchog thub bstan rgya mtsho), who was also a tutor to the Ninth Paṇchen Lama, Chokyi Nyima (paN chen bla ma 09 chos kyi nyi ma, 1883-1937).
He is said to have performed a public empowerment of Avalokiteśvara and Yamāntaka in a place called Tashi Tang (bkra shis thang). In 1920 he passed away at the young age of fifteen.
Bibliography
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'Jigs med dam chos rgya mtsho. 2007. Kirti skal bzang blo gros kun dga' lung rtogs rgya mtsho dpal bzang po'i rnam par thar ba gser gyi gar bu. In Rong chen ljags nag pa ki rti sku 'phreng rim byon gyi rnam thar phyogs bsgrigs, vol. 1, pp. 259-327. Beijing: Krung go'i bod rig pa dpe skrun khang. TBRC W2DB5974.
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