by Wendy Ho

Towards the end of 14th century, the Gelug tradition has evolved into a fully independent school of Tibetan Buddhism. The founder of this tradition was Lama Tsongkapa (1357-1419) also known as Je Rinpoche, a great philosopher and saint of Tibet. He was a great admirer of the Kadam tradition which was established by Atisha, an 11th century Indian master and his chief disciple Dromtompa.

Lama Tsongkapa was very attracted to the Kadam’s emphasis on the Mahayana principles of universal compassion and altruism. He valued these qualities not only as a spiritual orientation but also as a way of life. He saw the study and practice of Indian classics such as Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhisattvacharyavatara) and Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland (Ratnavali) as highly supportive to an individual’s path to Enlightenment.

Lama Tsongkapa combined the Kadam’s emphasis on compassion and altruism with the cultivation of in-depth insight into the doctrine of wisdom realizing emptiness as propounded by Nagarjuna. He constructed a system of learning and contemplation where the two elements of compassion and wisdom are based on the practice of renunciation, the spontaneous wish to be liberated from cyclic existence and bodhichitta, the spontaneous wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.

Lama Tsongkapa called the three elements of Renunciation, Bodhichitta and Correct View of Emptiness as the “Three Principle Aspects of the Path”. In Lama Tsongkapa’s view, a sound foundation of the Three Principle Aspects of the Path is essential for a successful practice of Vajrayana Budhhism. As a result of this emphasis, the Gelug tradition is said to represent the union of Sutra and Tantra.

Lama Tsongkapa’s written works is enshrined in eighteen volumes of writings which encompassed learning and meditative practices on topics ranging from the most profound aspects of Highest Yoga Tantra and Madhyamaka Philosophy of Emptiness to rules and precepts of a fully ordained monk.

Lama Tsongkapa was the master holder of the three main classical Indian Iineages of the Mahayana path – the vast path, the profound path and the path of Secret Mantra. The vast path or the method lineage was passed down from Buddha Sakyamuni to Maitreya and through further teachers to Lama Tsongkapa. The Profound path or the wisdom lineage was passed down from Buddha Sakyamuni to Manjushri and through further teachers to Lama Tsongkapa.

The path of Secret Mantra came from Buddha Vajradhara (the tantric form of Buddha Sakyamuni) and through various lineages of Tantric practices to Lama Tsongkapa. Later Lama Tsongkapa combined these three lineages into one single major lineage.

In addition, in the Gelug tradition, there were several important transmissions known as the close lineage of the pure vision (Dag snang). Teachings belonging to this category are based on mystical experiences of highly realized meditation masters.

After long periods of intensive study and spiritual training under many great masters of his time, Lama Tsongkapa established Ganden Monastery in the east of Lhasa in 1409. Ganden Monastery quickly became a foremost centre for Buddhist philosophical studies attracting many students and scholars from all parts of Tibet. The followers of Lama Tsongkapa who gathered at Ganden Monastery later became known as Gelugpas.

Amongst Lama Tsongkapa’s foremost disciples were Gyaltsab Je (1364-1431), Khedrup Je (1385-1438) and the first Dalai Lama, Gendundrup (1391-1474). Following the establishment of Ganden Monastery, many other monastic institutions were founded by Lama Tsongkapa principle disciples. Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden (1379-1449) founded Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in the world before 1959. Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe (1354-1435) founded Sera Monastery and the first Dalai Lama, Gendundrup established Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

Many great masters of subsequent generations contributed to the flourishing of Lama Tsongkapa’s tradition. These include masters such as successive Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas, Kachen Yeshe Gyaltsen (1713-1793), Gungthang Tenpai Donme (1762-1823), Ngulchu Dharma Bhadra (1772-1851) and more recently the great Phabongka Dechen Nyingpo (1878-1941). Through the establishment of major monastic universities and the noble contribution of these great masters, the Gelug tradition became the most established Buddhist school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Wendy Ho, 27th May 2009