The Treasury of Lives

The Twelfth Chone Sakyong, Jamyang Norbu ('jam dbyangs nor bu), was born in 1703, water-sheep year of twelfth sexagenary cycle, into the royal family of Chone (co ne), in Amdo (a mdo).

As per tradition, Jamyang Norbu also had a Chinese name, Yangchongxiao (杨冲宵). Since the time of the Fifth Chone Sakyong (co ne sa skyong 05 dbang phyug), the Chone Kings used the surname Yang (杨) in addition to their Tibetan names. In 1728, Jamyang Norbu inherited the Sakyong position from his father, Makzor Gonpo (dmag zor mgon po, 1686-c.1728), while his brother Lobzang Peljor (blo bzang dpal 'byor, b. 1706) lived in Pelyul (dpal yul). His youngest brother, Lobzang Tenpai Gyeltsen (blo bzang bstan pa'i rgyal mtshan, b. 1708) became monk.

At the age of fourteen, Jamyang Norbu married, taking three wives. They were named Rinchen Peldzom (rin chen dpal 'dzoms), Khadrotso (mkha' 'gro mtsho), and Dorjetso (rdo rje mtsho). When he turned sixteen, he was tutored in Tibetan under direction of Drakpa Shedrub (co ne grags pa bshad sgrub, 1675-1748), and later also studied Chinese under the guidance of Zhangtaiye (张太爷, d.u.), from Minzhou (岷州).

When the Khopok (kho spog) clan revolted against Qing government in 1726, he led military forces at the request of the Qing and pacified the rebellion, an action for which he received substantial rewards from the Qing government. In 1731 he constructed castles in Chodong Rong (mchod sdong rong), Tsongon (mtsho sngon), and also engaged in battle against a Mongol clan led by a man named Norbu Jasak (nor bu ja sag). He captured Norbu Jasak and handed him over to the Qing authorities, eventually receiving the official titles of Zouyuan (奏员), and Governor-General (总督).

In addition to his political activities, he, like his forefathers, was a strong supporter of Geluk Buddhism. In 1738, Jamyang Norbu invited Gyeltsen Sengge (rgyal mtshan seng+ge, 1678-1756), the fifty-third Throne Holder of Ganden (dga' ldan khri pa 53) to Chone and received initiations from him. He also sponsored the painting of over sixty paintings, and the production of several Buddhist texts written in golden ink. The cost of producing these texts was 1213 silver sang (srang). Later, he sponsored the construction of a silver stupa and a number of Buddhist statues. It noted that after his mother, Menjangma (sman byang ma) passed away, he offered thirty thousand silver sang to local monks for funeral rituals. He was also known to devote himself to meditation while in retreat.

Jamyang Norbu had one son named Sonam Chopel (bsod nams chos 'phel, d.1747), who died before he could take the throne. Although it is unclear exactly when Jamyang Norbu passed away, it is likely he died in 1743. That year Jamyang Norbu's consort Rinchen Peldzom (rin chen dpal 'dzom) took charge of the administration of Chone and continued to rule until 1760, bearing the title of Chone Ponmo (co ne dpon mo).

His grandson, Tensung Tsering (P 3957 bstan srung tshe ring, b. 1743) succeeded his grandmother as Sakyong when he was enthroned in 1760.