Sampradaya
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gelug
Gelug Sampradaya of Tibetan Buddhism originated with the tradition of Kadampa, which had come down from the great Indian master Atisha Dipamkara Shrijana (c. 982–1054). Gelug Sampradaya is founded by the great Acharya Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Dakpa (1357-1419), who was born in the Tsongkha region of Amdo province in Tibet. At the age of three he was ordained by the fourth Karmapa Rolpe Dorje and named Kunga Nyingpo. Later, at the age of seven he received the novice vows from Choje Dhondup Rinchen and named Lobsang Dakpa. Acharya Tsongkhapa extensively travelled within Tibet and studied with masters of all existing Tibetan Sampradayas; mainly from the Kadampa masters. The great Acharya of Vikramashila and Nalanda University, Atisha Dipamkara Shrijana was invited to Tibet in 1039 and taught the teachings of both Sutra and Tantra. His lineage of the teachings that was later transmitted through Khuton, Ngok Lotsawa Loden Sherab (1059-1109) and Dromtonpa Gyalwai Jungney (1005-1064) is known as the Kadampa tradition. Acharya Tsongkhapa had many disciples, among them Gyaltsab Dharma Rinchen (1364-1432), Khedrub Geleg Pelsang (1385-1438), Gyalwa Gendun Drup (1391-1474), Jamyang Chojey Tashi Palden (1379-1449), Jamchen Chojey Shakya Yeshe, Je Sherab Senge and Kunga Dhondup (1354-143S) were the celebrated scholars who bequeathed the Gelug Sampradaya of thought for years.
In the year 1409, Je Tsongkhapa founded the Gaden monastery in Tibet and thus the Gelug Sampradaya came into existence with the original name Gadenpa. Later on, the monastery was constituted in two colleges known as Shartse and Jangtse monastery. Other major monasteries of this Sampraaya are Drepung, Sera, Tashi Lhunpo, Gyutod and Gyumed. In the year 1416 Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden, one of the disciples of Je Tsonkhapa, founded the Drepung monastery. The two main branches of this monastery are Losel-ling and Gomang monasteries. In 1419 Jamchen Choje Sakya Yeshe, another disciple of Tsongkhapa, founded Sera monastery which comprised of Sera Jey and Sera Mey monasteries. In 1447 Gyalwa Gendun Drup, the first Dalai Lama, founded Tashi Lhunpo monastery at Shigatse which became the seat of the Panchen Lamas. In all these monasteries the monks primarily carry out the study on Sutras of Buddha’s teachings, whereas, the study and practice of Tantra are mainly carried out in other two monasteries known as Gyumey and Gyutod. Jey Sherab Senge established Gyumey Tantric monastery in 1440 and Gyuchen Kunga Dhondup founded the Gyutod Tantric monastery in 1474. The central tenets of the Gelug Sampradaya consist of The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim) based on the teachings of great Indian master Atisha Dipamkara Shrijana. The adherents of this school learn five major sciences viz. Abhidharmakosha, Pratimokṣasutra, Pramāṇavartika, Abhisamayalamkara, Prajnaparamita and Madhyamakavatara etc. The union practice of Sutras and Tantra are the key focus of this Sampradaya is realization of emptiness and actualizing compassion and bliss in the path.
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