Material: cloth. embroidery. scroll. (Tsongkhapa)

Size: about 122 x 83 cm

Description:

Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) is the founder of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most influential religious leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. His full name is **Lobsang Drakpa** (Lobsang Drakpa), and he is respectfully called "Master Tsongkhapa". He is regarded as the embodiment of wisdom and compassion in Tibetan Buddhism, and is even considered to be the incarnation of Manjushri Bodhisattva. His thoughts and reforms have had a profound impact on the development of Tibetan Buddhism. The following is a brief description of his significance, origin and influence:

**I. The origin and life of Tsongkhapa**

1. **Birth and background**:

- Tsongkhapa was born in 1357 in the Tsongkha area of ​​Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province (the Tibetan word "Tsongkha" means "green onion field"), hence the name. Born into a Tibetan family, he showed extraordinary wisdom and piety since childhood. He became a monk and began to study Buddhism at the age of 7.

- He studied under many masters of Tibetan Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism, extensively studied exoteric Buddhism (classical teachings) and esoteric Buddhism (secret practice), and deeply studied Buddhist philosophy such as Madhyamika, Pramana, and Vinaya (precepts).

2. **Study and practice**:

- When he was young, Tsongkhapa traveled to various sects in Tibet, absorbed the essence of the teachings of Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and other sects, and was worried about the chaos in Tibetan Buddhism at that time (such as mixed teachings and irregular practice).

- He deeply studied the Madhyamika thought of Indian Buddhist masters (such as Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti), emphasized the philosophy of "dependent origination and emptiness", and combined it with esoteric practice to form a systematic teaching.

3. **Founding of the Gelug Sect**:

- In 1409, Tsongkhapa founded the **Ganden Monastery** in Lhasa, which marked the official establishment of the Gelug Sect. The Gelugpa sect is characterized by strict discipline, systematic doctrine learning and the practice of both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism, emphasizing the "harmony of exoteric and esoteric Buddhism".

- The reincarnation system of Tsongkhapa's two major disciples, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, later became an important leadership system in Tibetan Buddhism.

**Second, the significance of Tsongkhapa's representation**

1. **The symbol of religious reform**:

- Tsongkhapa carried out drastic reforms on Tibetan Buddhism at that time, emphasizing the importance of discipline, standardizing the monastic system, and advocating the importance of learning and practice. His reforms made Tibetan Buddhism more systematic and academic, attracting a large number of believers.

- He emphasized "gradual practice" and advocated that practitioners should first lay a solid foundation in exoteric Buddhism (such as discipline and bodhicitta) before entering esoteric Buddhism practice, avoiding blind pursuit of advanced esoteric Buddhism.

2. **The embodiment of wisdom and compassion**:

- Tsongkhapa is regarded as the incarnation of Manjushri Bodhisattva, symbolizing wisdom. His teachings pay special attention to the logical reasoning of Madhyamika philosophy, emphasizing the unity of "emptiness" and "dependent origination".

- At the same time, his teachings also emphasize compassion and bodhicitta, encouraging practitioners to aim at benefiting others, embodying the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism.

3. **Cultural and political influence**:

- The rise of the Gelugpa sect not only affected the religious field, but also had a profound impact on the culture and politics of Tibetan society. The reincarnation system of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama became the core of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan politics.

- Tsongkhapa's works, such as "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment" and "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Tantra", became the core guide for the practice of the Gelugpa sect and are still important classics for Tibetan Buddhists to learn.

**Three, Tsongkhapa's main contributions**

1. **Doctrinal integration**:

- Tsongkhapa combined the Madhyamika and Yogacara ideas of Indian Buddhism with the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to create a practice system that combines exoteric and esoteric Buddhism. His "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment" elaborates on the practice sequence from beginners to Buddhahood, and has become a classic textbook of Tibetan Buddhism.

- He emphasized the philosophical viewpoint of the "Madhyamaka Prasangika School" and believed that the correct understanding of "emptiness" is the key to liberation.

2. **Vinaya and Sangha Reform**:

- Tsongkhapa advocated that monks strictly observe the precepts, rebuild the discipline of the monastic community, prohibit monks from participating in secular affairs, and enhance the purity and prestige of the monastic community.

- The three major monasteries of Ganden, Drepung and Sera he founded became the academic and practice centers of the Gelugpa sect, and trained a large number of monks.

3. **Cultural inheritance**:

- Tsongkhapa's teachings promoted the academicization of Tibetan Buddhism and promoted the development of Buddhist translation, annotation and debate culture. His works are still important materials for Tibetan Buddhist research.

- The "Prayer Ceremony" (Tibetan: Monlam) he founded became an important festival of Tibetan Buddhism and promoted the exchange of religion and culture.

**Fourth, Modern Influence**

- Tsongkhapa's Gelugpa sect became one of the mainstream sects of Tibetan Buddhism, with influence throughout Tibet, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai and other places, and even spread to all parts of the world.

- As the leader of the Gelugpa sect, the Dalai Lama spread Tsongkhapa's ideas around the world, especially in Western countries, where the Gelugpa's teachings attracted a large number of believers.

- Tsongkhapa's teachings emphasize reason, wisdom and compassion, which are compatible with the values ​​of modern society and attract many people who seek spiritual growth.

**Summary**

Tsongkhapa is one of the most important figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. His reforms and teachings laid the foundation of the Gelugpa sect and influenced the religion, culture and politics of Tibetan society. He represents the combination of wisdom (Manjushri), compassion (Avalokitesvara) and practice (Vajrapani), and injected new vitality into Tibetan Buddhism through systematic teachings and rigorous practice. His legacy is not limited to the religious field, but has become an important pillar of Tibetan culture and still influences Buddhists around the world.

(printed thangka in cloth frame)