Ganden and Gelupa

Ganden was founded by Je Tsongkapa Lozang-dragpa(1357-1419). Je Tsongkhapa was prophesied by Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha once said, After I have passed away from this world, when the earth becomes desolate, you (Lama Tsongphapa) will take the form of a child and enact the deeds of a Buddha.

One the the previous life of Lama Tsongkapa, as a small boy, he offering the Buddha a crystal rosary, Buddha then said that this small boy who has given me a crystal rosary will restore my teachings at a degenerate time in the future. The small boy was given in return a conch shell that had been presented to the Buddha by a naga king. Buddha entrusted this shell to his disciple, and the disciple was told to buried it in Tibet as an auspicious treasure for the future spread of the teachings.

Ganden Monastery comprises of two colleges, Jangtsey and Shartsey, which means, North Peak and East Peak respectively. According to one belief, they were named after their location to the Ganden's main temple.

On the 29th and 30th of each Tibetan month, the Jangtsey monks perform a full day rituals for their protector, while Shartsey performs the same rituals on the 28th and 29th. Each division also has its own assigned protector. On every 15th of Tibetan month, each individual division performs for a full day rituals of its protector.

As for the other two main Gelug monasteries in the Lhasa, their assigned protector of the Common Assembly of Drepung Monastery is Nechung, and Drepung Gomang's protector is Six-Armed Mahakala. The assigned protector of the Common Assembly of Sera and Sera Jey is Jamsing, Sera Jey is also has another protector known as Yangsang form of Hayagriva and Sera May's Assigned protector is Teu.

All three Ganden, Sera and Drepung Monastery, follows the early summer retreat from the 16th of the sixth Tibetan month to the 30th of the seventh month. During this retreat, a discourse is traditionally given based on Tsongkhapa's "Lamrim-chenmo" also known as the "Great Exposition on the Graded Stages of the Path".

The initial scope of the teachings are given by the junior of the Jangtsey and Sharjey Chojeys where the intermediate scope is taught by the senior of the two, the advanced scope will be taught by the Ganden Tripa.

Currently The monk population of Ganden was officially listed as 3,300, but back in 1959 it was 7,500. The monastery was totally torn down by the Chinese Communist. At present, the actual building is being partially reconstructed in Tibet. Where else In India, Ganden Monastery has been relocated in Mundgod, Karnataka State.

Brief History of Buddhism in Tibet and the Effect of the Chinese Cultural Revolution 7th century

Tibet was previously filled with fragmented, tribal, war‑loving people. When Tsong Tsen Gampo was chose to became the ruler of Tibet, he imported the philosophical of Buddhism, which had been flourishing in India for centuries. Later his successor, Trisung Detsen, made it the official religion of Tibet.

The once‑violent nation of Tibet had became fully transformed by this new appreciation for depth and true worth of human life. It was an evolution, Tibet then became one of the finest civilizations the world has ever seen. It became a nation where the people is filled with patience, tolerance, generosity, love for learning, and loving‑kindness. Many Monasteries and learning centers sprang up across the Tibet and the Buddhist values of compassion and wisdom infused the people of there.

Unfortunately, this unique and beautiful civilization was destroyed in year 1959 during the invasion of the Chinese. The Chinese Cultural Revolution took more than 1.2 million Tibetans lives between 1959 and 1972. Approximately 6000 centers of Tibetan culture and Religion were destroyed. As a result, Tibetans continue until today to seek refuge across the globe.

The Tibetan government exiled in Dharamsala located in India and was headed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they struggles constantly to achieve independence for the people of Tibet. Maintaining their commitment to non‑violence, unfortunately the Tibetan government has not successfully negotiate with the Chinese who will not meet with His Holiness regarding the freedom of it's people.

Tibet also had no formal recognition from any government in the world. Their hosts, the Indian government, is cautious about the reaction of their Chinese neighbors, and prefer to dampen the effect of any political action taken by the exiled community.

In order to support the exile government's efforts at the preservation of the cultural legacy of Tibet and its people, the last few surviving members of Tibet's former centers of learning have re‑established in India. Focusing upon the survival of their culture and people who face extermination, these monasteries and institutions are the only hope for assuring the continuation of these rare and valuable teachings on the way of existence. One of the first such voluntary centers in India is the Gaden Shartse Monastic College.