Gelug facts for kids

A statue of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, at his birthplace in Kumbum Monastery, China.

The Gelug (pronounced Geh-loog) is a major school of Tibetan Buddhism. It was started by a wise teacher named Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419). He was a philosopher and an important religious leader in Tibet.

Tsongkhapa built the first Gelug monastery called Ganden. Today, the Ganden Tripa is the official leader of the Gelug school. However, the most famous person from this school is the Dalai Lama. Other important Gelug teachers include Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche.

What Gelug Teaches

Tsongkhapa really liked the teachings of the Kadampa school. He also strongly believed in the Mahayana idea of universal compassion. This means having deep kindness for all living things.

He combined this kindness with a deep understanding of "emptiness" (called shunyata). This idea was taught by ancient Indian masters like Nagarjuna and Candrakirti.

Three Main Ideas

Tsongkhapa taught that two main things are needed for a spiritual path. These are compassion and wisdom about emptiness. He said these must come from a strong desire to be free from suffering. This desire is called "renunciation."

He called these three ideas the "Three Principal Aspects of the Path." They are:

• A true wish for liberation (renunciation).
• Deep compassion for everyone.
• Understanding of emptiness.

Tsongkhapa said that once you understand these three, you can then follow the advanced path of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Core Practices

The main teachings of the Gelug school are called "the Stages of the Path" (lamrim). These are based on the lessons from the Indian master Atiśa (who lived around the 11th century). They also focus on carefully learning about emptiness.

Gelug followers also practice special meditations. These are called "highest yoga tantra" meditations. They involve focusing on deities like Guhyasamāja, Chakrasamvara, Yamantaka, and Kalachakra. The main goal is to directly experience the feeling of great happiness mixed with the understanding of emptiness.

Images for kids

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  An illustration of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder, and his two main students (Kédrup and Gyeltsap). Other teachers and protectors of the Gelug tradition are also shown.

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  The 14th Dalai Lama (center), a very important figure in the Gelug tradition today. This photo was taken at the 2003 Kalachakra ceremony in Bodhgaya, India.

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  Khedrup Gelek Pelzang, 1st Panchen Lama (1385–1438 CE). He was a main leader of the Gelug school after Tsongkhapa died.

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  Gendun Drup, who started Tashilhunpo Monastery. He was also the First Dalai Lama.

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  The third Dalai Lama, Sönam Gyatso.

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  A painting from the Qing dynasty showing the 5th Dalai Lama meeting the Shunzhi Emperor in Beijing in 1653.

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  Potala Palace

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  Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol

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  Rajesh Kasturirangan with the 14th Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa and Richard Davidson at a conference in 2013. These talks explore Buddhism and science.

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  A Gelug Lineage Refuge Tree thangka. It shows Je Tsongkapa in the middle, surrounded by Indian and Tibetan Buddhist teachers. These thangkas help people focus when taking refuge.

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  A Guhyasamāja mandala. Mañjuvajra is the main deity in the center.

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  Mañjuśrī, an 18th-century artwork from the Rubin Museum of Art.

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  Monks debating in Sera monastery.

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  Ganden monastery, Tibet, 2013.

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  Sera Mey, a part of Sera Monastery, India.

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  The 6th Ganden Tripa, Chokyi Gyeltsen (1402–1473).

See also

In Spanish: Gelug para niños