Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang, an ex-Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University, was born in 1933 into the family of Tsewang (father) and Bhutrug (mother) in a place called Ghyongpa, a part of Lithang locality of Kham region in Tibet. Unlike most ordinary kids, even at a very young age, he expressed strong desire to be a fully ordained monk when he became older. During his reading and writing studies with a private teacher, he was able to memorize many different ritual texts. Later, he joined Lithang Jamchen Choekhorling, a monastery in Lithang.
At one time, because of strong support based on prophesy given by high lamas and deities, as well as many other external and internal signs, Gyaltsap Trulku Rigzin Ngyendag and Lophel Trulku of Nyag-me recognized Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang as the unmistaken incarnation of Chagdue Trulku of Nyagrong, a place in Kham. His parents and the relatives were highly pleased but Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang refused the offer saying that whether or not he is recognized as a Lama by others, his responsibility was to achieve spiritual progress by engaging in Dharma practice with diligence and perseverance. This is the reason why he is not recognized as Chagdue Trulku.
At sixteen, he received his novice monk ordination from Khenchen Jaza Dorjee Chang and was given the Dharma name – Lobsang Jamyang. Ạt twenty-four, he entered Sera Mey Monastic University in central Tibet. While at Sera Mey, at the feet of many great teachers, he studied several main scriptures. About a year later, 1959, both Tibetan government as well as the Tibetan people had to flee the country.
Once in India, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang joined the reestablished Sera Mey Monastic University in bucksa, India and continued with his studies. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama – the embodiment of compassion – had not only laid the foundation for the seat of Tibetan government in exile, but had, almost immediately after his arrival in India in 1959, reestablished the three principal Monastic Universities in Tibet – Gaden, Drepung, and Sera. Obviously, these centers of learning were at its rudimental stages of development, but the monks fleeing from Tibet experienced a sense of revival and reunification.
At the age of thirty, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang deliberately traveled to Bodhgaya, a place of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, to receive full ordination with complete vow from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
In 1982, after Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang passed the final test for Geshe degree (equivalent to a Ph.D. degree in Buddhism) conducted by the Testing Committee of Gelugpa monastic universities, His Holiness the Dalai Lama awarded him with a volume of the abridged version of Lam Rim scripture.
In 1986, during the annual Great Prayer Festival, a tradition initiated by Lama Tsongkhapa, he demonstrated his knowledge of the major tenets of Buddhism by engaging in debates with the congregation of Geshe Lharampas. Along with others, His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferred on him the coveted degree of Geshe Lharampa.
In 1987, he returned to Tibet for a short visit. While in Tibet, he gave many teachings on Lam Rim, and bestowed various initiations and empowerments. His method of teachings were uniquely characterized by four essential skills – the ability to illustrate specific abstract points for clarity, the ability to demonstrate ways and means of achieving spiritual goals, the ability to narrate unique anecdotes, and the ability to substantiate with direct quotes from authentic sources for the purpose of helping disciples generate faith and conviction in the teachings. Hence, his teachings were easy to understand for the beginners, and appropriate for everyone – each according to his/her own interest and mental dispositions. Apart from giving extensive teachings, he was able to help many others change their lives. He helped number of people suffering from mental disorders or other forms of psychophysical imbalance. He also helped many others give up their negative ways of life – engaging in robbery and stealing – and commit to Dharma practice instead.
In 1988, he returned to India and joined the Gyudme Tantric College. At this college, he completed his studies about the Four Classes of Tantra. Next he went back to Sera Mey Monastic University and continued teaching number of young incarnate lamas and other monks.
After that, he traveled to many countries in South and North America to spread Dharma.
Wherever he went, he gave extensive teachings and many became his disciples.
In 1996, he received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama the letter of appointment as the Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University. Immediately, he left for India.
The same year, 1996, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang founded Manjushri Buddhist Center in Longueuil, Canada.
From 1997-1999, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang lead a group of monks to the United States of America and other Western countries to raise funds for New Prayer Hall at Sera Mey Monastic University.
In 2002, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang and the monks at Sera Mey Monastic University welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Prayer Hall inauguration. The new Prayer Hall is not only big and spacious but represents the unique Tibetan architecture in all aspects.
In September 2003, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang inaugurateđ Geden Shoeling
Buddhist Center in Westminster, California for the Buddhists to study and practice Buddha Dharma.
In 2004, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe was appointed as the senior most Abbot of the six monasteries of the Gelugpa order.
In 2008, Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang transferred the title Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University to Geshe Lobsang Rabga.
Venerable Geshe Norbu Chophol’s father, Mr. Tamdrin, and mother, Mrs. Tashi Drolma, from Lithang, Kham, East Tibet, fled Tibet and came to settle as refugees in India where He was born as the second of four sons.