The Treasury of Lives

Konchok Dechen (dkon mchog bde chen) was born in Lower Dzoge (mdzod dge smad) in 1737, the fire-snake year of twelfth sexagenary cycle. As a young child he was identified as the reincarnation of Ngawang Pelden (ngag dbang dpal ldan, 1676-1736), who had served as the fourth throne holder (khri 'dzin) of Labrang Tashikhyil Monastery (bla brang bkra shis 'khyil), and enthroned there.

After first studying at Labrang he went to Lhasa and enrolled at Gomang College (sgo mang grwa tshang) at Drepung ('bras spung) monastic university where he remained for three years. In 1759 he accompanied the Second Jamyang Zhepa, Konchok Jigme Wangpo ('jam dbyangs bzhad pa 02 dkon mchog 'jigs med dbang po, 1728-1791) back to Labrang monastery. For the next seven years he served at the abbacy of the tantric college (rgyud pa grwa tshang).

His growing reputation brought him considerable wealth, much of which he used to sponsor construction projects at Labrang, including the reconstruction of the tantric assembly hall (rgyud khang), kitchen, and the Damchen temple (dam can).

At the request of the Second Jamyang Zhepa he supervised the monastic administration at Drakkar Gyelmo Monastery (brag dkar rgyal mo) and Tsanggong (gtsang dgon). During this period he also spent time in meditation at various hermitages, such as Dentik (dan tig), Nyagong Drakkar (gnya' gong brag dkar), Serchen Takdzong (gser chen stag rdzong).

In 1787, he was appointed as the throne holder of Labrang monastery and served for three years.

He resigned the post after three years, in 1790, and took the abbacy of Sangngak Mingye Ling (gsang sngags smin rgyas gling). He passed away in 1796.