H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang

the lord Buddha and Buddhism

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who lived in India between approximately 563 BCE and 483 BCE. It is centered on understanding and overcoming suffering through ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.

The Life of the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born into a wealthy family but renounced his privileged life after encountering the realities of old age, sickness, and death. These experiences led him to seek a path to liberation from suffering. After years of ascetic practices, he realized that extreme austerities were not the solution. He attained enlightenment through meditation under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and became the Buddha, meaning “the enlightened one”.

The Buddha spent the next 45 years teaching his insights, including the Middle Way—a balanced approach between indulgence and asceticism—and the Four Noble Truths. His teachings emphasized self-responsibility for achieving liberation from suffering.

Core Teachings of Buddhism

Buddhism is built upon key principles that guide practitioners toward spiritual awakening:

The Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering Exists (dukkha): Life involves physical and mental suffering.

2. Cause of Suffering: Desire and attachment are the root causes of suffering.

3. End of Suffering: Liberation from suffering is possible.

4. Path to Liberation: The Noble Eightfold Path provides the means to overcome suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path

This path consists of eight interconnected practices:

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Thought

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration.

Three Marks of Existence

Buddhism teaches three fundamental truths about all phenomena:

• Anicca: Impermanence

• Dukkha: Suffering or unsatisfactoriness

• Anattā: Non-self; there is no permanent essence in beings.

Karma and Samsara

Buddhism emphasizes the law of karma, where actions have consequences that influence future experiences. This principle is tied to samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which practitioners aim to escape by attaining nirvana—a state of liberation.

Meditation and Ethics

Meditation is central to Buddhist practice, fostering mindfulness and insight into reality. Ethical conduct is guided by precepts such as abstaining from harm, false speech, theft, and intoxicants.

Devotion and Community

Buddhists often engage in devotional practices such as chanting, offerings, and pilgrimage to deepen their connection to the Dharma (teachings) and Sangha (community).

Buddhism has evolved into various schools—Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna—each preserving unique interpretations while sharing core teachings. Today, it remains a global tradition offering profound insights into human existence and paths to inner peace

h.H. KYABJE TRIJANG CHOCKTRUL RINPOCHE

The Je Tsongkhapa and Gelug tradition

The Gelug tradition, also known as the “Yellow Hat” school, is the youngest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in the 15th century by Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), a renowned Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher, and tantric yogi. Despite being the most recent school, the Gelug tradition quickly rose to prominence and became the dominant tradition in Tibet. Its influence eventually extended beyond Tibet, reaching Mongolia and other regions.

Je Tsongkhapa: Founder of the Gelug Tradition

Je Tsongkhapa was born in Amdo, northeastern Tibet, in 1357. From a young age, he displayed extraordinary intelligence and spiritual aptitude. He traveled extensively across Tibet to study under masters from various Buddhist traditions, gaining profound knowledge in sutra and tantra. His contributions shaped Tibetan Buddhism profoundly, establishing the Gelug tradition as a distinct and influential school.

Key Contributions of Je Tsongkhapa:

1. Founding Ganden Monastery:

In 1409, Je Tsongkhapa established Ganden Monastery near Lhasa, which became the first and principal monastery of the Gelug tradition. Ganden Monastery served as a model for subsequent Gelug institutions and remains a central hub for its teachings today.

2. Balanced Approach to Practice:

Je Tsongkhapa emphasized an integrated approach to Buddhist practice that combined ethical conduct, philosophical study, and meditation. He stressed that these three elements must work together harmoniously to achieve spiritual progress.

3. Reforming Tantric Practices:

He introduced reforms to tantric practices by emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation in sutric teachings before engaging in tantra. This ensured that practitioners approached tantra with proper understanding and discipline.

4. Philosophical Writings:

Je Tsongkhapa authored numerous commentaries on Buddhist philosophy, particularly focusing on Madhyamaka (Middle Way) teachings. His works clarified complex philosophical concepts and provided systematic methods for their study and application.

Characteristics of the Gelug Tradition

The Gelug school is distinguished by its rigorous intellectual approach and disciplined practices. Its core characteristics include:

1. Emphasis on Scriptural Study:

2. The Gelug tradition prioritizes intensive study of Buddhist scriptures and philosophical texts. Monastic education involves years of training in logic, debate, and interpretation of key texts such as Pramanavarttika (Logic), Abhisamayalamkara (Perfection of Wisdom), and Madhyamakavatara (Middle Way).

3. Prasangika Madhyamaka Philosophy:

The Gelug school follows the Prasangika Madhyamaka view, which represents the highest philosophical perspective within Tibetan Buddhism. This view emphasizes dependent origination and rejects inherent existence as fundamental truths about reality.

Logic and Reasoning:

The tradition places great importance on logical reasoning as a tool for understanding Buddhist teachings and engaging in debate as part of monastic training.

4. Integration of Sutra and Tantra:

The Gelug tradition combines sutric teachings with tantric practices while maintaining strict guidelines for their study and application. A cornerstone of this integration is Je Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim Chenmo (Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path), which provides a systematic guide to spiritual development.

5. Strict Monastic Discipline:

Adherence to the Vinaya (monastic code) is central to Gelug practice, ensuring ethical conduct among monks and nuns.

Spread and Influence

The Gelug tradition spread rapidly throughout Tibet due to its structured approach to education and practice as well as its emphasis on discipline and clarity in teachings. It became influential not only in Tibet but also in Mongolia, where it played a significant role in shaping Buddhist practices among Mongolian communities.

Today, the Gelug tradition remains one of the most prominent schools of Tibetan Buddhism worldwide. Its teachings are preserved through numerous monasteries such as Ganden, Sera, Drepung, and Tashi Lhunpo Monasteries, alongside smaller centers globally. Practitioners continue to follow its systematic methods for study, meditation, ethical conduct, and tantric practice.

Through its enduring legacy, the Gelug school continues to offer profound insights into Buddhist philosophy while providing practical guidance for spiritual development in contemporary times.