Je Tsongkhapa Quotes
Je Tsongkhapa
Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is renowned for his influential works on Buddhist philosophy, including his magnum opus, The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. He is also known for his reformist…Read More
Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is renowned for his influential works on Buddhist philosophy, including his magnum opus, The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. He is also known for his reformist efforts to revive the Buddhist teachings of the Nalanda tradition, which had been lost in Tibet. He is credited with reviving the monastic system, establishing the Ganden Monastery, and introducing the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is also remembered for his teachings on the importance of combining study and practice, and for his emphasis on the importance of moral discipline.Read Less
Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is renowned for his influential works on Buddhist philosophy, including his magnum opus, The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. He is also known for his reformist efforts to revive the Buddhist teachings of the Nalanda tradition, which had been lost in Tibet. He is credited with reviving the monastic system, establishing the Ganden Monastery, and introducing the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is also remembered for his teachings on the importance of combining study and practice, and for his emphasis on the importance of moral discipline.
Career Highlights
- Born in 1357 in the Amdo region of Tibet, Je Tsongkhapa showed a keen interest in Buddhist teachings from a young age. He received a traditional monastic education and studied under some of the most renowned masters of his time.
- In 1373, at the age of 16, he received full ordination as a monk and took the name Losang Drakpa. He then traveled to central Tibet to study under the guidance of the famous scholar Buton Rinchen Drub.
- After years of intense study and meditation, Je Tsongkhapa became a highly respected teacher and founded the Ganden Monastery in 1409. This monastery became the center of the Gelug school and served as a hub for the spread of his teachings.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s reputation as a scholar and teacher grew rapidly, and he attracted many students from all over Tibet. He also traveled extensively, giving teachings and establishing monasteries in different regions.
- In 1419, he founded the Sera Monastery, which became one of the largest and most influential monasteries in Tibet. He also established the Drepung Monastery, which became the largest monastery in the world at that time.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings and writings were not limited to Buddhism but also covered various subjects such as logic, ethics, and philosophy. He is also credited with composing many important texts, including the Lamrim Chenmo (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) and the Ngakrim Chenmo (The Great Treatise on the Tantra).
- He passed away in 1419 at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and guide Buddhist practitioners to this day.
Key Contributions
- Je Tsongkhapa’s most significant contribution was the revival of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He reformed the traditional monastic education system and emphasized the study of Buddhist philosophy and logic.
- He also emphasized the importance of combining study and meditation, believing that a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings could only be achieved through a balance of both.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings were based on the teachings of the Buddha, but he also incorporated the works of other Indian and Tibetan masters, making his teachings comprehensive and accessible to a wide range of students.
- He also placed great importance on ethical conduct and emphasized the practice of compassion and wisdom as essential for spiritual development.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s writings and teachings had a significant impact on the development of Tibetan Buddhism, and his influence can be seen in the works of many later masters, including the 14th Dalai Lama.
What Sets Them Apart
- Je Tsongkhapa’s approach to Buddhism was unique in that he emphasized the importance of both study and meditation. He believed that a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings was necessary for spiritual development and that meditation was the key to putting those teachings into practice.
- He also placed great importance on ethical conduct and emphasized the practice of compassion and wisdom as essential for spiritual development.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings were also known for their clarity and accessibility, making them popular among both monastic and lay practitioners.
- His emphasis on the study of logic and philosophy helped to establish the Gelug school as a center for intellectual and scholarly pursuits within Tibetan Buddhism.
Takeaways
- Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings and writings continue to be studied and practiced by millions of followers around the world, making him one of the most influential figures in Tibetan Buddhism.
- His emphasis on the study of Buddhist philosophy and logic, as well as the practice of compassion and wisdom, continues to be a cornerstone of the Gelug school and Tibetan Buddhism as a whole.
- Je Tsongkhapa’s legacy lives on through the numerous monasteries and institutions he founded, as well as the continued study and practice of his teachings by Buddhist practitioners.
Other People
Islamic scholar and theologian
· Syria
Scholar
· India
1872 - 1953
Hadith scholar
· Iran
817 CE
Methodist theologian and biblical scholar
· Ireland
1760
