The Treasury of Lives

The Fourth Dzogchen Ponlob, Jigme Choying Wosel (rdzogs chen dpon slob 04 'jigs med chos dbyings 'od gsal) was born into a family called Gyakong Shedrubtsang (rgya kong bshad sgrub tshang) located at a small town near Dzogchen Monastery in the Rudam valley in Kham, some time around the year 1825. Details of his birth and parents are not available.

At a young age he was identified as the reincarnation of the Third Dzogchen Ponlob, Namkha Chokyi Gyatso (rdzogs chen dpon slob 03 nam mkha' chos kyi rgya mtsho, 1807-c.1821) by the Fourth Dzogchen Drubwang, Mingyur Namkhai Dorje (rdzogs chen grub dbang mi 'gyur nam mkha'i rdo rje, 1793-1870) who took the child under his care at Dzogchen Monastery, Orgyen Samten Choling Monastery.

The young boy was educated by outstanding teachers of the monastery and became a noted teacher and scholar who served the monastery in various ways including a community of monks from Dzame (rdza smad). He was known for being able to read at a speed six times faster than others.

Details of his life are not available currently. It can be presumed that he lived to around the age of seventy-four serving the monastery and leading the followers on the dharma-path, and passed into nirvana presumably around 1897.

Konchok Tenpai Nyima (rdzogs chen dpon slob 05 dkon mchog bstan pa'i nyi ma), born around 1898 in Kham was identified as his reincarnation by the Fifth Dzogchen Drubwang, Tubten Chokyi Dorje (rdzogs chen grub dbang 05 thub bstan chos kyi rdo rje, 1872-1935).