Chapter 10 - Phagmodru Lineage (viii): bcu gnyis gsar ma ba

[Full title: Phagmodru lineage (vii): tshes bzhi rnying ma ba (grags pa rgyal mtshan) (1293-1360, abbot in 1310)]

Bcu gnyis gsar ma ba: Of the three sons born to mother khri smon ma 'bum skyid and father dpon rin chen skyabs—ta’i si tu, bcu gnyis gsar ma and drung bsod nams bzang po, grags se ba (bcu gnyis gsar ma) was born in the year Iron Male Dog (lcags pho khyi 1310 A.D.): At the time (of his birth) numerous auspicious signs were observed, such as the appearance of flowers on a dry tree, etc. At the age of 8, he proceeded to thel (gdan sa thel). At the age of 9, he received ordination in the presence of the mahā-upādhyāya gyung drung bsod nams and the ācārya dbang bsod. He was given the name of grags pa shes rab. From tshes bzhi pa he heard the complete explanation of the Doctrine.

At the age of 20, he received final monastic ordination from the mahā-upādhyāya seng rgyal ba. He also heard (the exposition) of the Doctrine from the Dharmasvāmin bla ma dam pa, bu ston rin po che, rgyal sras thogs med pa and others. At sna mo rdzong in Upper yar klungs he recited the mantra of the Religious Protector for 10,000,000 times. He was also known to possess the faculty of prescience. During his preaching of the cittotpāda rite, on many occasions showers of flowers fell.

At the age of 51, in the year Iron Mouse (lcags byi 1360 A.D.), he came to the chair (of gdan sa thel), and occupied it for 11 years.

He died at the age of 61 on the 13th day of the 9th month of the year Iron Male Dog (lcags pho khyi 1370 A.D.).