About Tsongkhapa Day

Tsongkhapa Day or Ganden Ngamchoe commemorates the enlightenment and parinirvana of Lama Tsongkhapa, the 14th century Buddhist scholar and saint who founded the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Also known as the Butter Lamp Festival, it falls on the 25th day of the 10th Tibetan month.

On this auspicious day, both lay and ordained devotees typically make extensive offerings and engage in Guru puja practices. As all merits accumulated on this significant day are multiplied 100,000 times, engaging in virtuous deeds and gathering in prayer strengthens the quality of our spiritual practice and brings us the blessings of the lineage masters to remain steadfast on the path to Enlightenment.

About Lama Tsongkhapa

Lama Tsongkhapa is the emanation of three great Buddhas – Manjushri (wisdom), Chenrezig (compassion) and Vajrapani (spiritual power). He was an unparalleled 15th-century Buddhist master who founded the Gelug tradition, and is the single greatest Tibetan commentator, scholar and yogi in the history of Buddhism. Hailed as the "Second Buddha", this great saint led a life of the highest ethics, held his vows perfectly and was instrumental in the revival of Buddha’s teachings that were deteriorating during his lifetime.

He grants wealth, business and career success to the practical-minded. Essentials of food, money, shelter and clothing will cease to be a problem. In this manner, he allows us to look deeper into spirituality with our minds freed from mundane worries.

Anyone who engages in his Guru Yoga meditation (Gaden Lhagyama) will experience great benefits. His gentle blessings can heal depression and illness, relieve fear and destructive emotions, protect from negative energies, harmonise relationships and encourage joy and peace. He is particularly helpful for the development of wisdom, enhancing intelligence, mental clarity, and above all, the understanding of Dharma.

During his lifetime, Lama Tsongkhapa was widely known for his scholarly prowess, unwavering guru devotion and great deeds. Some of the most well-known include the founding of the Three Pillars of the Gelugpa tradition — Gaden, Sera and Drepung Monasteries, establishing the Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo) in 1409, and composing the Lamrim Chenmo — The Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path.

At the age of 63, he entered into samadhi meditation, made extensive inner offerings and then stopped his breath. Many witnessed his body transform to that of a 16-year-old, with rainbow lights emitting from it. These signs are all hallmarks of an extraordinary being’s parinirvana. Today, his fame has spread across the world in fulfilment of a prediction made by Buddha Shakyamuni.

Further Reading

• Tsongkhapa Day at Kechara Forest Retreat
• Who is Lama Tsongkhapa and why is he so beneficial? (video)
• The benefits of offering light by Tsem Rinpoche
• Tsongkhapa’s daily practice by Tsem Rinpoche