Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s1.t8: dge lugs pa Sect
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s1.t8
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dge lugs pa Sect
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dge lugs pa, also known as Bkav gdams pa gsar ma, is one of major sects of Tibetan Buddhism, commonly known as “Yellow-hat sect” in Chinese, which was founded by Tsong kha pa (1357-1419).
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The dharma lineage originated from Candrakirti/Zla ba grags pa (600-650) and Aatisha (982-1054) and Tsong kha pa treasured and preached dbu ma la vjug pa by Candrakirti/Zla ba grags pa and byang chub lam sgron by Aatisha as the basis for establishing the doctrine of Dge lugs pa.
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In 1409, Tsong kha pa succeeded in holding the Monlam (or Grand Summons ceremony) at Jokhang Temple for the first time, creating a great sensation among monks and believers and winning religious prestige as well as raising social status for Tsong kha pa. In the same year, Tsong kha pa built dgav ldan rnam par rgyal bavi vgling in vbrog ri bo che (present-day Dazi County, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region) and founded Dge lugs pa centering around dgav ldan dgon.
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In 1416, Tsong kha pa instructed his disciple vjam dbyangs chos rgyal (1379-1449) to build vbras spungs dgon pa in the western suburb of Lhasa. In 1418, his disciple byams chen chos rgyal (or Shakya Yeshe, 1352-1435) built se ra theg chen gling in the northern suburb of Lhasa. The construction of three major temples in Lhasa laid a solid religious foundation for dge lugs pa.
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After three major temples were built in Lhasa, dge vdun grub pa (1391-1474) built bkra shes lhun po in gzhis ka rtse in 1447. Before long, stod shes rab bzav po built stag movi chos sde in mngav ris and smad shes rab bzav po built chab mdo dgon in
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Ganden Monastery of the Gelugpa sect, Tibet
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khams. From then on, Dge lugs pa established its stable temple organisations in the entire Tibetan area and the late comer came at the top. In the early 16th century CE, Deg lugs pa took shape in Tibet and developed on an unprecedented scale in Tibetan Buddhist history.
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In the Qing Dynasty, Dge lugs pa was in its heyday and became the most influential mainstream sect in Tibetan Buddhism. What's more, three major temples in Lhasa (dgav ldan dgon, vbras spungs dgon pa and se ra theg chen gling), bkra shes lhun po, stag movi chos sde, tar lamasery, labuleng si and chamdo champa ling still have a profound influence in minorities regions where Tibetan, Mongolian, Tu Nationality and Yugurs resided.
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In modern times, Dge lugs pa spread to India and built many temples in India. In south India, it replicated three major temples in Lhasa (dgav ldan dgon, vbras spungs dgon pa and se ra theg chen gling). Dge lugs pa houses numerous monks and has a great influence.
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(*Kalsang gyal*)