The Treasury of Lives

Anna Sehnalova, 2015, © Anna Sehnalova

Menpa Dratsang Sorik Zhenphen Ling (sman pa grwa tshang gso rig gzhan phan gling), more popularly known as Menpa Dratsang, meaning ‘Medical College,’ is one of the six monastic colleges of Labrang Tashikhyil (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil) Monastery. The others include a college for philosophical studies—Tsenyi Dratsang (mtshan nyid grwa tshang)—and four monastic colleges for tantric studies—Gyume Dratsang (rgyud smad grwa tshang), Gyuto Dratsang (rgyud stod grwa tshang), Dukhor Dratsang (dus 'khor grwa tshang) and Kyedor Dratsang (kya'i rdor grwa tshang). Menpa Dratsang was established by the Second Jamyang Zhepa, Konchok Jigme Wangpo (jam dbyangs bzhad pa 02 dkon mchog 'jigs med dbang po, 1728–1791), in 1784. The college is dedicated to the study and practice of traditional medicine and astrology in Amdo.

Sources

Nietupski, Paul. 2011. Labrang Monastery: A Tibetan Buddhist Community on the Inner Asian Borderlands, 1709-1958. Lanham, MD: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.

Abbots & Officers

Abbot

Abbot Konchok Jigme Wangpo -
Abbot dkon mchog don yod -
Abbot blo bzang 'jigs med 1792 -
Abbot blo bzang rgyal mtshan 1798 -
Abbot 'jigs med 'phrin las 1814 -
Abbot 'jam dbyangs don grub 1820 -
Abbot dkon mchog dge legs rgyal mtshan 1832 -
Abbot dkon mchog phun tshogs 1835 - 1839
Abbot dkon mchog bsod nams 1841 -