Gen Lobsang Palden was born in 1931 in Shegatshe, Tibet. When he became old enough to study, he gained admission to Jathau Thang School where he studied calligraphy for two years before he was brought to Sera Monastery to be ordained as a monk.
Genla started memorizing prayer books under the guidance of his teacher. He memorized one volume of prayers and Bhaishaya Guru Sutra (Medicinal Buddha Prayer), special ritual prayer of the Sera Mey monastery with master lineage prayer of debate sessions, and was admitted to the debate class. At the age of eighteen Genla was engaged in various administration engagements of the monastery.
In 1959, when Genla was working as the Secretary of the Sera Mey Monastery and taking the responsibility of the Khangtsen (House), the event of Chinese occupation of Tibet took place. Genla had to escape from Tibet to India and reached Mussamari. After a few months, one thousand five hundred monk students were sent to Buxa, Genla was one of them. At Buxa Genla studied Tibetan grammar, poetry, and a few other texts of grammar and poetry. Genla could only learn how to compose a verses because he had to rely only on the explanation of the teacher. They did not have any access to the textbook or commentary books.
Geshe Lobsang Palden giving Prizes to the students
Later the Phabongkha Rinpoche studied Tibetan grammar from one Sharpa Nawang Yonten at Kalimpong and taught to the student at Buxa based on a commentary called “The excellent light of elegant sayings”, which developed Tibetan grammar skill.
In 1963, when Genla was engaged in the study of philosophy, seven monks were called to the monastery office and directed to leave for Teacher’s Training Course. They were nominated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the course. Genla could not refuse and left for Dharamsala in October 1963. Initially, teachers training classes were held in Kangra. After a few months classes were shifted to Lower Dharamsala, where Genla studied for two years. After successful examinations, Genla was appointed as a teacher in April 1965. In 1990, at the age of 60, Genla retired from the job and returned to his parent monastery, the Sera Monastery.