The Treasury of Lives

The Seventh Tongkhor, Kelzang Jamyang Gyatso (stong 'khor 07 skal bzang 'jam dbyangs rgya mtsho), was recognized as a youth as the reincarnation of the Sixth Tongkhor, Ngawang Jamyang Tendzin Gyatso (stong 'khor 06 ngag dbang 'jam dbyangs bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho, 1753-1798). He was based at the Geluk monastery in eastern Amdo, Tongkhor Ganden Chokhor Ling (stong 'khor dgon dga' ldan chos 'khor gling), which had been established by the Fourth Tongkhor, Dogyu Gyatso (stong 'khor 04 mdo rgyud rgya mtsho, d. 1683), in 1646. A rival second Sixth Tongkhor, Jampel Gendun Gyatso (stong 'khor 06 'jam dpal dge 'dun rgya mtsho, 1754-1803), was based at Tongkhor Tashilhunpo (stong 'khor bkra shis lhun po) Monastery in Kham.

Kelzang Jamyang Gyatso studied with Shingza Paṇḍita Lobzang Dargye Gyatso (shing bza' paNDita blo bzang dar rgyas rgya mtsho, 1752/1759-1824), the forty-fourth throne holder of Labrang, from whom he  was ordained. At the age of thirteen he went to Lhasa, where he met with the Ninth Dalai Lama, Lungtok Gyatso (tA la'i bla ma 09 lung rtogs rgya mtsho, 1805-1815) and the Seventh Panchen Lama, Lobzang Pelden Tenpai Nyima (blo bzang dpal ldan bstan pa'i nyi ma, 1782-1853).

He enrolled at Sera Me, but he passed away in the eleventh Tibetan month, 1812.