The Treasury of Lives

The Third Tai Situ, Tashi Peljor (ta'i si tu 03 bkra shis dpal 'byor) was born in 1498. The Seventh Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso (karma pa 07 chos grags rgya mtsho, 1454-1506) recognized him as the reincarnation of the Second Tai Situ, Tashi Namgyel (si tu 02 bkra shis rnam rgyal, 1450-1497). He was subsequently enthroned at Karma Gon (karma dgon), the seat of his two previous incarnations.

He received the Kagyu lineage transmissions from the Seventh Karmapa; although he was only eight years old when the Karmapa passed away in 1506, he is considered by the tradition to have been the Seventh Karmapa's main lineage holder.

In 1513, when he was only fifteen years old, he presided over the identification of an infant named Mikyo Dorje as the Eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (karma pa 08 mi skyod rdo rje, 1507-1554). At that time, a group of the Seventh Karmapa's disciples in Amdo had identified another boy as the reincarnation of the Chodrak Gyatso, so a series of tests was run to see who could identify the possessions of the predecessor. This would develop to become a standard practice in recognizing major incarnations, including the Dalai Lamas. Tashi Peljor's candidate was eventually confirmed, and he performed the boy's ordination ceremony.

Tashi Peljor is said to have given teachings to all those who came to his monastery, and was known for his knowledge and strict adherence to the Vinaya. His reputation and influence grew, and the Chinese Ming Emperor Zhengde (正德 r.1505-1521), to whom he may have been a preceptor, offered him a colorful banner adorned with this praise written five different languages: "Lama Tashi Peljor was ordained as a monk from young age. He strictly follows the Vinaya and possesses vast knowledge. He is a teacher to me, the Emperor" (bla ma bkra shis dpal 'byor 'di chung nas rab tu byung / khrims gtsang yon chen po mnga' bas nged gong ma chen pos bla mar bkur yod pa).

He passed away in 1541 at the age of forty-three.