Gelug

The tradition of the Dalai Lamas

Founded

Late 14th – early 15th century

Founder

Je Tsongkhapa

Historical background

The Gelug school was founded by the great scholar-saint Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), whose emphasis on monastic discipline, ethical conduct, and rigorous philosophical study gave the tradition its name — "the virtuous ones." Tsongkhapa synthesized the teachings of all earlier traditions into a comprehensive and systematic path.

His foundation of Ganden Monastery in 1409 marked the formal establishment of the school. The Gelug tradition grew to become the largest in Tibet, and from it emerged the lineage of the Dalai Lamas, who became the spiritual and temporal leaders of Tibet, and the Panchen Lamas.

The Gelug school is distinguished by its insistence that the deepest tantric realization must rest upon a firm foundation of ethical discipline, renunciation, bodhichitta, and the correct philosophical view of emptiness.

Core Practices

The graduated path (Lamrim), analytical meditation, the Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, and Yamantaka tantras, and rigorous monastic debate.

Key Texts

Tsongkhapa's Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path (Lamrim Chenmo) and his works on emptiness and tantra.

Principal Seats

The three great monastic universities — Ganden, Drepung, and Sera — rebuilt in exile in South India, plus Tashi Lhunpo.