The Seventh Rongwo Drubchen, Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso

The Seventh Rongwo Drubchen, Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso (rong bo grub chen 07 blo bzang 'phrin las lung rtogs rgya mtsho, 1916-1978) was born in Chubzang Ralotang (chu bzang rA lo thang) in Amdo in 1916, the fire-dragon year of the fifteenth sexagenary cycle. He was the eighth son of his father, Dondrub Tsering (don 'grub tshe ring) and his mother, Denmaza Tamdrin Kyi ('dan ma bza rta mgrin skyid).

At the age of three he was recognized by Jamyang Tubten Gyatso ('jam dbyangs thub bstan rgya mtsho, 1866-1928) as the reincarnation of the Sixth Rongwo Drubchen, Lobzang Tenpai Gyeltsen (rong bo grub chen 06 blo bzang bstan pa'i rgyal mtshan, 1858/1859-1915). He was installed on the throne of the Rongwo Labrang at Labrang Tashikhyil the following year. There he commenced his studies in reading, writing and memorization of daily prayers texts under the guidance of Yongdzin Gendun Gyatso (yongs 'dzin dge 'dun rgya mtsho, d.u.).

At the age of seven he was granted novice monastic vows by Jamyang Tubten Gyatso with the assistance of Yongdzin Gendun Gyatso, and gave the name Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso. At the age eleven he received an empowerment of Jikje Pawo ('jigs byed dpa' bo) from Kyabdak Madzu (khyab bdag mnya dzu, d.u.) who gave him the secret name Nangdzen Dorje (snang mdzan rdo rje).

When he turned twelve, Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso began to study Lamrim grammar, and Buddhist doctrine under the instruction of the great Yongdzin Lobzang Pelden (yongs 'dzin blo bzang dpal ldan, 1913-1958), one of abbots at Labrang Tashikhyil.

In 1920, at the instruction of Yongdzin Lobzang Pelden he began his studies in Buddhist epistemology with twelve prominent Tibetan scholars, including Nyalung Ramjampa Gendun Gyeltsen (nya lung rab 'byams pa dge 'dun rgyal mtshan, d.u.), Drawo Geshe Yonten Gyatso (bra bo dge bshes yon tan rgya mtsho, d.u.), Chidri Gendun Gyatso (phyi dri dge 'dun rga mtsho, d.u.), Dzigua Gendun Gyatso (rdzi gya'i dge 'dun rgya mtsho, d.u.), Dronlung Jamyang Drangpa (mgron lung 'jam dbyang grangs pa, d.u.) and others. He completed compulsory courses of philosophy at the age of sixteen.

At the age of twenty-one, the Ninth Paṇchen, Lobzang Chokyi Nyima (paN chen 00 blo bzang chos kyi nyi ma, 1883-1937) came to Rongwo monastery, and Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso gained his praise by this performance in debate. The Paṇchen Lama gave him the vows of full ordination.

At the age of twenty-seven Lobzang Trinle Lungtok Gyatso was installed on the throne of Tusam college at Rongwo monastery. Events of his life following this are not recorded. He passed away in 1978.

Sources

Grags pa 'byung gnas and Rgyal ba blo bzang mkhas grub. 1992. Gangs can mkhas grub rim byon ming mdzod. Lanzhou: Kan su'u mi rigs dpe skrun khang, p. 1699.

Rje ‘jigs med dam chos rgyal mtsho.1997. Shar skal ldan rgya mtho’ skyes rabs rnam tar bzhugs so. pp.366-393 Ziling: Mthso sngon mi rigs dpe skrun khang.

Mgon po dbang rgyal. 2000. Rgyal rabs lo tshigs shes bya mang 'dus mkhas pa'i spyi nor. Beijing: Mi rigs dpe skrun khang, p. 429.

Minyak mgon po. 1996. Gangs can mkhas dbang rim byon gyi rnam thar mdor bsdus, Beijing: Krung go'i bod kyi shes rig dpe skrun khang.

Tsering Namgyal
June 2011