The Treasury of Lives

Tenzin Trinle (bstan 'dzin 'phrin las) was born in Rebkong (reb kong) in 1695, the wood-pig year of the twelfth sexagenary cycle. His family was related to Sherab Tashi (shes rab bkra shis, 1647-1716), the sixth throne holder of Tosam Namgyel Ling (thos bsam rnam rgyal gling), the debating college of Rongwo Monastery (rong bo dgon chen).

He joined Rongwo Monastery at a young age and began his basic Buddhist education. Later, as was customary for promising scholars from Geluk monasteries in Amdo, he went to Lhasa and enrolled in Gomang College (sgo mang grwa tshang) at Drepung ('bras spung) monastic university for training in the five traditional subjects of the Geluk monastic education (bka' pod lnga).

After his return to Amdo he continued his studies under the instruction of several teachers including: Lobzang Tenpai Nyima (blo bzang bstan pa'i nyi ma, 1689-1762/1772); Chumar Lobzang Gyatso (chu dmar blo bzang nyi ma, d.u.); the First Yeshong, Jamyang Lodro (g.yer gshong 01 'jam dbyangs blo gros, 1651-1733); and particularly under his relative, Sherab Tashi. Later he managed the monastic administration of Dzongkar Monastery (rdzong dkar) and continued to lead and promote the practice of mantra, or maṇi (ma Ni) ritual among lay communities. He also supervised the monastic administration of Karing Monastery’s Tashi Dargye Ling college (ka ring bkra shis dar rgyas gling).

In 1717 he was appointed to the abbatial throne of Rongwo Monastery, serving for fifteen years. After his retirement he devoted himself to meditation retreats at various hermitages, including Rongwo Tashikhyil (rong bo bkra shis 'khyil), Shelgong (shel dgon), and Tsagyel Tarpa Ling(tsha rgyal thar ba gling).

He passed away in 1738 at the age of forty-four.