Gelug Monasteries: Ganden
Dr. Alexander Berzin, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II
Ganden Nampar Gyalweling Monastery was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, who named the monastery Ganden, Tushita in Sanskrit, after the pure land realm of the future Buddha, Maitreya. Since its founding, Ganden has been the seat of the Ganden Tripa, the Holder of the Golden Throne of Ganden and head of the Gelug Tradition.