Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Dragpa was a great reformer whose teachings later gave rise to the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsongkhapa left to the world eighteen volumes of collected teachings, containing hundreds of texts on all aspects of Buddhism and clarifying some of the most difficult points of Sutra and Tantra. Tsongkhapa also founded the Ganden Monastery near Lhasa.
Tsongkhapa was a prolific author with a broad knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, logic, hermeneutics and practice. Tsongkhapa's work contains a comprehensive view of Buddhist philosophy and practice that integrates sutra and tantra, analytical reasoning and yogic meditation. He wrote numerous works on madhyamaka philosophy, Mahayana practice and Vajrayana.
Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist philosopher and teacher who founded the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Born in the Amdo region of Tibet, he displayed a strong inclination toward spiritual pursuits from a young age.
Tsongkhapa's studies led him to various monastic centers, where he deepened his understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practice. He emphasized a comprehensive and systematic approach to Buddhist teachings, combining elements of sutra and tantra.
His teachings focused on the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, as well as the importance of rigorous study and meditation. Tsongkhapa's emphasis on scholarly inquiry and debate played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsongkhapa's most well-known work is the "Lamrim Chenmo" (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment), which provides a detailed guide to spiritual development and enlightenment. He also wrote extensively on topics such as Madhyamaka philosophy, tantric practices, and ethics.
Tsongkhapa's legacy is most evident in the establishment of the Gelug school, characterized by its emphasis on monastic discipline, scholastic rigor, and the pursuit of both academic and experiential understanding. The Gelug school, also known as the "Yellow Hat" sect, became one of the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and has had a profound impact on the religious and cultural landscape of Tibet and beyond.
Balancing the Mind includes a translation of the classic discussion of methods for developing exceptionally high degrees of attentional stability and clarity by fifteenth-century Tibetan contemplative Tsongkhapa.
