The Treasury of Lives

Tenzin Chozang (bstan 'dzin chos bzang) was born in the Rudam (ru dam) valley in Kham near the beginning of the twentieth century. His father was named Tsering Gyeltsen (tshe ring rgyal mtshan) and his mother was named Khyimo Tso (khyi mo mtsho).

At the age of eight he was brought to Dzogchen Monastery, Rudam Orgyen Samten Choling (rdzogs chen ru dam o rgyan bsam gtan chos gling) to study reading and writing with a paternal uncle. He went on to train in rituals, chanting, musical instruments, dance and other monastic traditions. At the age of twenty-two he enrolled at Śrī Siṃha College (shrI sing+ha bshad drwa) where he studied sutra, tantra, and general subjects under a number of outstanding teachers including the twentieth abbot of Śrī Siṃha, Pema Tekchok Loden (padma theg mchog blo ldan, 1879-1955) and Khenchen Tubten Nyendrak (mkhan chen thub bstan snyan grags, 1883-1959). He received teachings on the oral transmission (bka' ma) and treasure (gter ma) traditions of the Nyingma school from the Fifth Dzogchen Drubwang, Tubten Chokyi Dorje (rdzogs chen grub dbang 05 thub bstan chos kyi rdo rje, 1872-1935), along with their related commentaries, empowerments, and instructions; he also received teachings on the Dzogchen Sangwa Nyingtik (rdzogs chen gsang ba snying thig), which became his main practice.  

Tenzin Chozang began to serve as the abbot to several of Dzogchen's branch monasteries around the age of thirty. While there, he introduced and promoted the tradition of the three basic practices of the Vinaya: a bi-monthly confession ceremony, summer retreat, and its closure ceremony. He also instructed the monks on Dzogchen Monastery's way of performing rituals, chanting,  religious dance, and other activities.

When Tenzin Chozang reached the age of fifty, the Sixth Dzogchen Drubwang, Jikdrel Jangchub Dorje (rdzogs chen grub dbang 06 'jigs bral byang chub rdo rje, 1935-1959) enthroned him as the thirty-second abbot of Śrī Siṃha College. According to his hagiography, he was a bit disappointed about his late appointment, and is quoted as saying, "I expected to become the abbot when I was young and energetic with a sharp intellect, but nothing happened in my favor. Now I am aging and my eyes are too weak though I occupy the throne."  He is said to have been compassionate as a discipline master; when young monks would violate the rules he would scold them and try to appear furious, but then would break out into a smile and dole out a light punishment such as telling them to sponsor a butter lamp.

Tenzin Chozang retired from the abbacy around 1956. He passed away in 1959 during the Chinese Communist takeover of Tibet.