The Treasury of Lives

Khedrub Kunzang Gyeltsen (mkhas grub kun bzang rgyal mtshan) was born in Tau Dokya (sta'u mdo skya) in a family of the Go (sgo) clan. As a young child he studied under the guidance of Au Tikpa (a'u tig pa), a sage from Drusha (bru sha'i grub thob).

Later in life, Kunzang Gyeltsen traveled to Tsang (gtsang) where he met Namkha Yeshe (nam mkha' ye shes, d.u.), the then abbot of Menri. From this master he received extensive teachings on sutras, cosmology and monastic discipline. He soon became an expert in the Bon of characteristics (mtshan nyid bon) and took complete monastic vows. On that occasion he received the name Kunzang Gyeltsen. He is said to have preserved his vows without mistakes throughout his entire life.

He was introduced to tantric teachings and received numerous initiations related to several Yidams (yi dam), as well as their corresponding reading authorizations (lung). He also received instructions on Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) teachings and is said to have eventually realized the union of Samsara and Nirvana. The later tradition describes him as a great yogi having reached the stage in which one does not meditate anymore (sgom med rnal ‘byor chen po)

He was later elected to the charge of Menri abbot and thus turned the wheel of Bon teachings extensively. He started to have numerous disciples from Amdo (a mdo), U (dbus) and Tsang (gtsang). Among these were: Tendzin Rinchen Gyeltsen (bstan 'dzin rin chen rgyal mtshan, d.u.) and Godzung Lodro Gyeltsen (sgo dzung blo gros rgyal mtshan, d.u.) who both became his successors in the transmission lineage of Atri (a khrid); Tsungme Tenpa Ozer (mtshungs med bstan pa 'od zer, d.u); and Chenmo Tenpa Gyeltsen (chen mo bstan pa rgyal mtshan, d.u.).

Tendzin Rinchen Gyeltsen opened a separate line of transmission within the Atri lineage which differs from the main line passing through the Menri abbots.