Tsongkhapa

Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) was a great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism. He advocated strict adherence to monastic discipline and clarified many of the deepest points of Buddhist philosophy and tantric practice. The Gelugpa tradition that traces from him became the predominant form of Buddhism in Tibet.

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The Life of Tsongkhapa

Dr. Alexander Berzin

A portrait of the life and deeds of one of the most famous masters of Tibetan Buddhism.

Elaboration of the Life of Tsongkhapa

Dr. Alexander Berzin

Learn more detail of how Tsongkhapa gained his great qualities and how he was able to reform and revitalize Buddhism in Tibet.

The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path

Tsongkhapa

Also known as “Songs of Experience,” Tsongkhapa’s brief presentation is part of the lam-rim training outlining the graded stages of the path to enlightenment.

Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Tsongkhapa

A concise lam-rim text on how renunciation, bodhichitta and a correct view of voidness (emptiness) are the three pathways of mind essential for reaching enlightenment through either the sutra or tantra vehicles of practice.

The Foundation for Good Qualities

Tsongkhapa

Tsongkhapa offers verses of request for inspiration to follow the lam-rim graded path from its foundation, a healthy relation with a spiritual teacher, through the two stages of tantra, all the way to enlightenment.

In Praise of Dependent Arising

Tsongkhapa

Following his attainment of non-conceptual cognition of voidness (emptiness), Tsongkhapa wrote this eulogy giving poetical expression to his enormous appreciation of Buddha’s kindness in teaching the non-contraction between voidness and dependent arising.

A Letter of Practical Advice on Sutra and Tantra

Tsongkhapa

Tsongkhapa explains the factors required for effective meditation in both sutra and tantra practice and how both practices are necessary for cognizing voidness (emptiness) with a joined state of shamatha and vipashyana.

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