Gelug

Gelug. The Gelug school, also known as the Yellow Hat sect, is a major Buddhist school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Je Tsongkhapa in the 15th century, with significant influences from Atiśa, Nāropa, and Buddhapālita. The Gelug tradition emphasizes the importance of monasticism and the study of Buddhist philosophy, as seen in the works of Dharmakīrti and Candrakīrti. The school's teachings are based on the Lamrim and Lojong traditions, which were also influenced by Sakya Paṇḍita and Marpa Lotsawa.

Introduction

The Gelug school is one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, along with the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya schools, and has had a significant impact on the development of Buddhism in Tibet, particularly through the work of Sonam Gyatso and Altan Khan. The Gelug tradition is known for its emphasis on scholasticism and debate, as well as its strong connection to the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, who have played important roles in the school's history, including the Tibetan Empire and the Mongol Empire. The Gelug school has also been influenced by other Buddhist traditions, such as the Jonang and Kadampa schools, and has had significant interactions with Chinese Buddhism and Indian Buddhism, particularly through the work of Xuanzang and Atiśa.

History

The Gelug school was founded in the 15th century by Je Tsongkhapa, who was a prominent Tibetan Buddhist master and scholar, and was influenced by the teachings of Atiśa and Nāropa. The school's early history is closely tied to the Ganden Monastery, which was founded by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409, and has been an important center of Buddhist learning and practice, particularly in the fields of Madhyamaka and Abhidharma. The Gelug school has also been influenced by the Mongol Empire and the Qing dynasty, which have played significant roles in the school's development, including the Tibetan-Mongol Wars and the Qing conquest of Tibet. The school's history has also been shaped by its interactions with other Buddhist traditions, such as the Nyingma and Kagyu schools, and has been influenced by the work of prominent masters such as Sakya Paṇḍita and Marpa Lotsawa.

Philosophy

The Gelug school's philosophy is based on the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa and the Lamrim tradition, which emphasizes the importance of Buddhist ethics and the development of bodhicitta, as seen in the works of Shantideva and Nāgārjuna. The school's teachings are also influenced by the Madhyamaka and Yogācāra traditions, which were introduced to Tibet by Atiśa and Buddhapālita, and have been developed by prominent Gelug masters such as Khedrup Je and Gyaltsap Je. The Gelug school's philosophy is characterized by its emphasis on the two truths and the emptiness of all phenomena, as seen in the works of Candrakīrti and Dharmakīrti. The school's teachings have also been influenced by the work of other prominent Buddhist masters, such as Sakya Paṇḍita and Marpa Lotsawa, and have been developed in the context of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, particularly in the fields of Abhidharma and Prajnaparamita.

Practices

The Gelug school's practices are centered around the Lamrim and Lojong traditions, which emphasize the importance of meditation and the development of bodhicitta, as seen in the works of Shantideva and Nāgārjuna. The school's practices also include the study of Buddhist philosophy and the performance of rituals and ceremonies, such as the Guru Puja and the Chöd practice, which have been developed by prominent Gelug masters such as Khedrup Je and Gyaltsap Je. The Gelug school's practices are also influenced by the Tantric tradition, which was introduced to Tibet by Atiśa and Nāropa, and have been developed in the context of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, particularly in the fields of Deity Yoga and Mahamudra. The school's practices have also been shaped by its interactions with other Buddhist traditions, such as the Nyingma and Kagyu schools, and have been influenced by the work of prominent masters such as Sakya Paṇḍita and Marpa Lotsawa.

Organization

The Gelug school is organized around the Ganden Monastery, which is the school's main monastery and center of learning, and has been an important center of Buddhist learning and practice for centuries, particularly in the fields of Madhyamaka and Abhidharma. The school is also organized into several smaller monasteries and Dharma centers, which are located throughout Tibet and other parts of the world, including India, Nepal, and Mongolia. The Gelug school is led by the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, who are the school's spiritual leaders and play important roles in the school's governance, particularly in the context of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Central Tibetan Administration. The school's organization has also been influenced by its interactions with other Buddhist traditions, such as the Nyingma and Kagyu schools, and has been shaped by its history, particularly in the context of the Tibetan Empire and the Mongol Empire.

Notable Figures

The Gelug school has produced many notable figures, including the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, who are the school's spiritual leaders and have played important roles in the school's history, particularly in the context of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Central Tibetan Administration. Other notable figures include Je Tsongkhapa, who founded the school, and Khedrup Je and Gyaltsap Je, who were prominent Gelug masters and played important roles in the school's development, particularly in the fields of Madhyamaka and Abhidharma. The school has also been influenced by other notable figures, such as Sakya Paṇḍita and Marpa Lotsawa, who were prominent Buddhist masters and played important roles in the development of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in the context of the Nyingma and Kagyu schools. The Gelug school's notable figures have also included prominent scholars and practitioners, such as Butön Rinchen Drub and Longchenpa, who have made significant contributions to the school's teachings and practices, particularly in the fields of Prajnaparamita and Dzogchen.