Khövsgöl Province
Tserenchimed was born in 1869 in present-day Khövsgöl Province. He entered a monastery at an early age, became a lama, and then started work as low level clerk in the office of the Shamzudba (the Secular Affairs Administration office) of the estates of the Bogd Khan "Ikh Shav"), quickly climbing his way up to become "Da Lam" (Chief Lama or Abbot). He showed a talent for politics early on and established excellent working relations with local political officials. Around this time he began to support calls for Mongolian independence.