The Treasury of Lives

The Kirti incarnation line was established in the early sixteenth century when Tenpa Rinchen declared himself to be the reincarnation of Tsongkhapa's disciple Gendun Gyeltsen, posthumously given the title of First Kirti. The line has its seats at Kirti Monastery, Taktsang Lhamo Kirti, and Kalari Kirti Monastery, all in Amdo.



Rongchen Gendun Gyeltsen, the First Kirti Lama, was a disciple of Tsongkhapa. He established one of the earliest Geluk institutions in Amdo, Kirti Monastery, in 1412.

Tenpa Rinchen, the Second Kirti, was trained in U and returned to his homeland of Ngawa in southern Amdo to spread the nascent Geluk tradition there.

Tenpa Rabgye, the Third Kirti Lama, trained in Lhasa before returning to Amdo to expand his home institution. He traveled to Beijing and received a seal from the Wanli Emperor.

Lobzang Jamyang, the Fourth Kirti, studied under the Fifth Dalai Lama and Fourth Paṇchen Lama.

Lobzang Tenpai Gyeltsen, the Fifth Kirti, traveled extensively in Amdo to teach. He laid the foundations of the current Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery in 1754 with a tantric college.

The Sixth Kirti, Gendun Chokyi Wangchuk built the prayer hall of Taktsang Lhamo monastery.

The Seventh Kirti, Kunga Chopak Tubten Nyima, expanded Taktsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery by adding a philosophical college.

The Eighth Kirti, Lobzang Trinle Tenpa Gyatso was the founder of Ngayul Kirti Monastery, in 1870. He was educated at Labrang Tashikhyil.

Kelzang Lodro Kunga Lungtok Gyatso was the Ninth Kirti, a Geluk incarnation line based at Kirti Monastery in Amdo. He passed away at the age of fifteen.

Ngawang Lobzang Tenpa Tsering was the Tenth Kirti, a line of Geluk incarnations based at Kirti Monastery in Amdo. He established a Kālacakra college at Gonsar Monastery in Ngawa and composed textbooks for the newly founded tantric college at the same monastery. He passed away at the age of twenty-one.