Gelug

The Gelug school (also: Ganden tradition) is the youngest of the four major schools ( Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug ) in Tibetan Buddhism ( Vajrayana ). The followers of this school are known as " Gelugpa " ( Tib: dge lugs pa ) respectively. The Gelug school was more of the pure Mahayana related parties in its infancy. The nominal head of the Gelug school is the " Ganden Thripa " ( Tib: dga ' ldan khri pa).

Development and teaching

Mahayana Basics

The Gelug school is also referred to as the " school of the virtuous " and walks out of the teaching exposition of the great reformer Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) produced. He represented the ideals of the Kadam school and stressed out the importance of the Vinaya. Therefore, the Gelug place great emphasis on monastic discipline and celibacy. The core of the transmissions of the Gelug lies in the teachings of the Kadam school, especially in the Mahayana teachings of Atisha, who was sent by teachers of the Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma sect Tsongkhapa ( 1357-1419 ). The former Kadam school has not survived as an independent school. Tsongkhapa summarized the teachings of the Mahayana philosopher Nagarjuna, Asanga and Dignaga together in his work Lam rin chen-mo ( " Great Exposition of the step path "). The " Lamrim stepped path to enlightenment " to this day is the basis of the learned of the Gelugpa enlightenment path.

Tantric teachings

The teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra in the Gelug school of great importance. It is adjacent to the practice Yamantaka, Chakrasamvara and Guhyasamaja one of the main tantric transmissions of the Gelug. Through the centuries, but also various tantric teachings were taken from the other major schools, including for example the " Six Yogas of Naropa ". Among these teachings, Tsongkhapa had already written a basic comment that will be appreciated in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism due to the comprehensive treatment of the subject. Several other Mahamudra teachings of the Kagyu and Sakya school, as well as various tantric teachings of the Nyingma be passed by the Gelug school. Mostly there are also followers of Dzogchen, probably since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatsho.

Major monasteries

Tsongkhapa founded in 1409 Ganden Monastery near Lhasa, which became his headquarters. Close disciples of Tsongkhapa founded Drepung Monastery near Lhasa in 1416 and 1419, the Sera Monastery, the Lower Tantric College ( Gyumay ) in 1440, the Upper Tantric College ( Gyutö ) in 1474 and in 1447 the Trashilhünpo Monastery in Shigatse, which later headquarters of the Penchen Lama.

Tsongkhapa himself never had political ambitions, he fled when he should be invited by an envoy of the Chinese Emperor to China. Despite its clear rejection of politics and power, the three monasteries Ganden, Drepung and Sera were later after the takeover of political power in Tibet by the Gelugpa, the "three pillars of the state". Whether the subsequent unification of " church and state " within the Gelug Order was always exerted for the benefit of the Tibetan people ( and other schools ), is assessed by the followers of different schools differently. Political upheavals power play but, in comparison with the excesses historically known from Europe, probably a minor role.

Due to political tensions in exile in India in 2008 in Bylakuppe ( Serpom Thösam Norling Datsang ) and Mundgod emerged ( Shar Gaden Nampar Gyalwä Ling ), both in the state of Karnataka, two new major monasteries of the Gelug tradition.

Head teachers and Significant

The head of the Gelug school is the " Ganden Thripa ", who is elected by the monasteries and succession Tsongkhapa symbolized as a " throne-holder of Ganden ". The Office of the Ganden Thripa is not bound to the Trülku system, the term of office is seven years. The current 102 is Thubten Nyima Ganden Thripa Tenzin Norbu Lungtog ( Rizong Rinpoche).

At the highest Trülkus the Gelug school include the Dalai Lama - the title was first awarded in 1578 by Altan Khan - and the Penchen llamas, as well as the Khalkha Jetsun Dampa in Buddhism in Mongolia.

In Germany Loden Sherab lives Dagyab, a senior Gelugpa Lama, who has worked since 1966 at the University of Bonn since 1984 and are Buddhist teachings and Buddhist care centers.

Rime

In the 19th century, was among the masters Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and Ugyen Choggyur Lingpa the " Rime movement ," which garnered cross-group lessons from all areas of Tibet and masters from all traditions, even to competitors ( sectarianism ) among the Tibetan to prevent schools. This movement joined various Gelugpa Lamas. The current Dalai Lama, himself holder of many broadcasts of the other schools, repeatedly emphasized the importance of a non-sectarian attitude towards all schools.

Dissemination

In addition to the cultural space tibetomongolischen Gelug communities are also found in America and Europe. One focus of the spread of this tradition in Europe is located in Switzerland, where many Tibetan refugees have settled, but also in Germany and Austria there are Gelug communities.