The Treasury of Lives

Trewo Alu (tre bo a klu) was the forty-fourth generation of the Dru ('bru) clan which was to become the royal lineage of Nangchen (nang chen), and which dates back from the time of Dru Takgo ('bru stag rgod, d.u.). He was born in Trewo Rabkha (tre bo rab kha), in Kandze (dkar mdzes) area, which later became part of the Hor confederacy also known as Trehor. His father was named Dru Tridar Sengge ('bru khri dar seng+ge, d.u.).

He was first married to the lady of Dzorok (mdzo rog bza', d.u.), who gave birth to their sons Dorje Pak (rdo rje 'phags, d.u.) and Dorje Ten (rdo rje brtan, d.u.). Later he migrated to upper Kham, leaving his two sons at Tresho Valley. It is said that ever since there has been a spot named Trewo Rabkha near the Tsichu (rtsi chu) river in the area of Zurmang (zur mang), which is the place where Trewo Alu originally migrated to from Kandze area. Once resettled, he married his second wife,  lady Karmo bza' dkar mo, d.u.) of the Be clan ('be), who gave birth to Kya Ponlek (skya dpon legs, d.u.), Jayulwa (bya yul ba, d.u.), Ayulwa (a yul ba, d.u.), Chokyi Gyeltsen (tre bo chos kyi rgyal mtshan, d.u.), Tsongpon Khamtar (tshong dpon kham thar, d.u.), Tashi Pel (bkra shis dpal, d.u.), and Jang Gyelwa (byang rgyal ba, d.u.). In 1300, Trewo Alu's son Chokyi Gyeltsen ascended the Nangchen throne with the title of first dharma king (chos rgyal) or king (rgyal po).

Trewo Alu was a close disciple to both Tishri Repa Sherab Sengge (ti shri ras pa shes rab seng+ge,1164-1236) and Repa Karpo (ras pa dkar po, 1198-1262). When Tishi Repa died in the area of today’s Zurmang in 1236, his remains were placed on a white mule. Trewo Alu other disciples escorted the body to Dza Merchen, where it was cremated. Repa Karpo presided over the funeral rites accompanied by miraculous signs, such as non-human beings who were seen making offerings.

On the mountain that resembled a begging bowl turned upside down, according to a prophesy of Tishi Repa uttered two years prior to his death, a great reliquary was completed within fifty days. As dwellings for individual disciples multiplied around it, the complex became known as Kumbum Monastery (sku 'bum). During the consecration ceremony, lead by Repa Karpo, Tishri Repa is said to have been seen floating in the air, wearing his famous five-peaked hat.

In 1240, Mongol army lead by commander Doorda Khan (dor rta nag po), aka Doorda Darkhan, who served under Gengghis Khagan's grandson Goden Khan, reached Kham. Repa Karpo dispatched a messenger to the place of their arrival, uttering this request:

Lama Tishi Repa was chaplain to the Tangut emperor. After his passing we have constructed a great stupa of 100 sacred images to enshrine his remains as well as a monastery. Now we ask that you help provide with a basis for its sustenance.

Prince Goden responded with the endowment of Kumbum with an estate together with tax-paying subjects. The estate consisted of lands known as The Six Places (gnas drug). Thus Kumbum collected tribute from six myriarchies; some historians even claim that they were twelve myriarchies altogether. Moreover, Trewo Alu was appointed secular leader (mi chos kyi dpon po), while Repa Karpo was appointed religious leader (lha chos kyi bla ma) of what was to become Nangchen.

The Mongol prince then sponsored the construction of a stone castle with a magnificent temple, meant as the center for religious and temporal power in Upper Kham. It was built in the vicinity of Kumbum on top of a mountain and called Nangso Chenmo (nang so chen mo). Carpenters and stone workers from the Tangut realm were called to build the grand temple. In this new center of power Trewo Alu took on the many responsibilities of realm administrator (sde srid); Repa Karpo developed a great activity as Buddhist master. Thus they upheld the temporal and religious systems. The name of the castle is also behind one of the legends explaining the later name of the domain - Nangchen. 

Trewo Alu died at exactly sixty years old.