The Birth of Lama Tsongkhapa  

A great deal has been written about, and by, this remarkable teacher, whose birth was foretold by Buddha. In a past life, as a young boy, he offered Buddha Shakyamuni a crystal rosary and was gifted a conch shell in return. The Buddha predicted that the boy would be born in Tibet, establish a prominent monastery, present a crown to the Buddha statue in Lhasa, and play a key role in the spread of the teachings in Tibet. Everything unfolded exactly as the Buddha had foreseen. 

The miraculous events surrounding his birth attracted the attention of the master Chöje Döndrup Rinchen, who had studied and lived in central Tibet before returning to Amdo, where he established two monasteries. When Tsongkhapa was three, this master presented livestock to Tsongkhapa’s father and requested that he be entrusted with the boy's education. At seven, Tsongkhapa moved to live with Chöje Döndrup Rinchen, who imparted many teachings and tantric empowerments to him. Tsongkhapa quickly mastered reading and writing, and from a young age, he devoted himself to both study and meditation practice. At eight, he received ordination as a novice monk and was given the name Losang Drakpa. 

Lama Tsongkhapa’s Later Years  

At the age of sixteen, Tsongkhapa left Amdo to pursue further studies, learning from around fifty teachers (some biographers suggest it could be as many as 100) and acquiring a comprehensive understanding of both sutra and tantra. He was particularly influenced by the reasoning systems of Dignaga and Dharmakirti.  

At the age of thirty-three, Tsongkhapa met the extraordinary Lama Umapa, who had traveled to Tsang with the intention of studying under him. Umapa had experienced a vision of Manjushri, the embodiment of enlightened wisdom, which transformed his life from that of a simple cowherd. Inspired by this vision, he adopted practices related to Manjushri and eventually came to experience his constant presence. 

Lama Umapa became Tsongkhapa's direct link to Manjushri. They spent time in retreat together, during which Umapa shared Manjushri's guidance and responses to questions about the proper understanding of reality. In time, Tsongkhapa himself began to have visions of Manjushri, who bestowed empowerments upon him and imparted teachings. 

Traditionally, it is said that he accomplished four significant deeds during his lifetime: he renovated the Maitreya statue at Dzingji monastery and organized a grand prayer festival for its completion in 1400; he made extensive contributions to the vinaya, revitalizing the monastic tradition in Tibet; he established the annual Great Prayer Festival – Monlam Chenmo – which continues in Tibetan monasteries today; and he founded Ganden Monastery.  

Tsongkhapa is perhaps best recognized for founding the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is built upon the Kadampa tradition, the teachings of Atisha. The Gelug tradition, based on Tsongkhapa's insights, is characterized by the integration of sutra and tantra as well as a strong emphasis on vinaya. Having studied at Sakya, Kadam, and Drikung Kargyu monasteries, he emerged as a leading authority in Tibetan Buddhism. 

Lama Tsongkhapa’s Books  

In addition to his teaching, Tsongkhapa was a prolific author, producing eighteen volumes of collected teachings that include hundreds of titles. Among these, several texts are considered essential to Tibetan Buddhism, such as the foundational work on Guhyasamaja tantra. 

 Some of his most significant writings are: 

- The Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path (Lam-rim Chenmo) 

- The Great Exposition of Tantras (Ngag-rim Chenmo) 

- The Essence of Eloquence on the Interpretive and Definitive Teachings 

- The Praise of Relativity 

- The Clear Exposition of the Five Stages of Guhyasamaja 

- The Golden Rosary 

 These texts are vital resources for studying the Gelug tradition. 

Lama Tsongkhapa & Lamrim  

Why is the Lamrim important to Buddhism?  

The Lamrim Chenmo stands as one of the most revered treasures in the vast collection of sacred literature worldwide. Authored by Lama Tsongkhapa, it was completed in 1402 and quickly became one of the most influential texts in Tibetan Buddhism, highly regarded for its spiritual depth and philosophical clarity. This work is particularly significant because it distills the vast teachings of the exoteric sūtras into a meditation manual that is easy to understand, making it a trusted reference for both scholars and practitioners alike. It is suitable for practitioners of all levels, as it provides a well-structured, step-by-step stages on the path to one’s enlightenment. The Lamrim serves as a comprehensive gateway to understanding the profound teachings of the Buddha. 

Lama Tsongkhapa meticulously grounded his insights in the classical Indian Buddhist scriptures, supporting his explanations with quotes from these texts and the sayings of earlier masters from the Kadampa tradition. In this way the text demonstrates clearly how Tibetan Buddhism carefully preserved and developed the Indian Buddhist traditions. 

Commemorating Ganden Ngamchoe  

Lama Tsongkhapa Day, also known as Ganden Ngamchoe, is commemorated on the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar. It is a commemoration of Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana. This is an annual grand event which many Gelug monasteries will offer thousands of lights for. Since Lama Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana, in 1419 on the 25th day of the 10th month, every year on this day, temples and monasteries hold memorial ceremony for him, which has continued for 600 years, without interruption.   

Here are some of the prayers and practices of the Gelug tradition recommended for Lama Tsongkhapa Day to create merit: Lama Chopa, 1,000 Offerings to Lama Tsongkhapa, Extensive Offering Practice, The Glorious One of the Three Worlds (Päl dän sa sum ma), A Hymn of Experience, Destiny Fulfilled, Prayer for the Flourishing of Tsongkhapa’s Teachings, Lama Tsongkhapa’s Secret Biography, Dependent Arising: A Praise to the Buddha.  

The most common prayer is the Five-Line Prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa (Mig-tse-ma): 

MIG ME TSE WÄI TER CHHEN CHÄN RÄ ZIG  

Avalokiteshvara, great treasure of non-objectifying compassion  

DRI ME KHYEN PÄI WANG PO JAM PÄI YANG  

Manjushri, master of stainless wisdom 

DÜ PUNG MA LÜ JOM DZÄ SANG WÄI DAG 

Vajrapani, destroyer of the entire host of maras 

GANG CHÄN KHÄ PÄ TSUG GYÄN TSONG KHA PA 

Tsongkhapa, crown jewel of the sages of the land of snow  

LO ZANG DRAG PÄ ZHAB LA SÖL WA DEB 

To Losang Dragpa, at your feet I make requests. 

The recitation of the Migtsema prayer on Lama Tsongkhapa Day holds profound significance, as it is a way to honor the extraordinary qualities of Lama Tsongkhapa, a great scholar, meditator, and founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Migtsema prayer is a concise and powerful verse that praises Lama Tsongkhapa as the embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and spiritual power, manifesting as the union of Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani. 

On this auspicious day, practitioners recite the Migtsema to cultivate devotion, accumulate merit, and strengthen their connection to Lama Tsongkhapa’s enlightened qualities. The prayer also inspires deeper faith in his teachings and the path he illuminated, encouraging practitioners to follow his example in study, practice, and realization. Reciting the Migtsema is believed to purify obstacles, generate wisdom, and create auspicious conditions for spiritual progress. 

Conclusion

Lama Tsongkhapa Day marks the anniversary of the parinirvana of this important teacher who was born in the Amdo region of eastern Tibet and spent many years traveling from one monastery or yogic hermitage to another in search of the various lineages of the Buddhist teachings. Join us for prayers on 25/12/2024 (Wed), or offer lights, to commemorate Lama Tsongkhapa Day and pray for the flourishing and continuity of Buddhadharma!