So why you may ask, of all the powerful Meditational Deities (Yidam) in the Buddhist pantheon, of all the great Lineage Masters who have appeared since the dawn of Buddhism in India to Tibet like the great Shantideva, noble Asanga to Shantarakshita and Sakya Pandita in Tibet, why Tsongkhapa? Tsongkhapa Tsongkhapa Tsongkhapa Tsongkhapa Tsongkhapa?
Much from inside me did tell me that he was my tutelary deity when he was first introduced to me. Really I did feel an inclination to his looks and all. He looks somewhat humble and yet so glamorous in his pomp and glory. But back to planet earth, why Tsongkhapa? I’ve contemplated much on this question actually. Through countless talks, discussions and questioning myself with the problem, why Tsongkhapa, I have finally reasoned to myself why he is always talked about to be the
Much from inside me did tell me that he was my tutelary deity when he was first introduced to me. Really I did feel an inclination to his looks and all. He looks somewhat humble and yet so glamorous in his pomp and glory. But back to planet earth, why Tsongkhapa? I’ve contemplated much on this question actually. Through countless talks, discussions and questioning myself with the problem, why Tsongkhapa, I have finally reasoned to myself why he is always talked about to be the
“Yidam of Our Time”
Buddha Shakyamuni
The historical Buddha Gotama’s life story is a classical inspiration for Buddhists of all lineages and sects and definitely builds up faith in us. So does the life stories of other saints in Buddhist history. Acharya Nagajurna, the founder of the Middle Path School was inspired to be a medicant monk who used alchemy to cure almost any disease there was at the time in India. He would read and master any form of Buddhist text available at that time. But his master curbed his pride of thinking that his knowledge was the vastest at time by bringing him into the realm of the Nagas, the celestial serpents to see the vast scriptures that were entrusted by Lord Buddha to the Nagas to safe keep. He was then subdued of his pride and mastered the texts to benefit sentient beings.
King Songtsen Gampo
In Tibet, Buddhist kings such as the Great King Songtsen Gampo was renowned as the emanation of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. He had two princesses, one from China, the princess Wen Cheng and the Nepali princess Bikurti. King Songtsen Gampo was renowned to have brought two tribes of Tibet together and story has it that he emanated in both tribes many men and soldiers to fight the war and he himself came in between them to resolve the war to avoid further bloodshed. When the war was over, he absorbed all his emanations back. Thus was his exhibition of supernatural powers in order to fully benefit people and beings of that time.
So what about Lord Tsongkhapa? What did he actually do? Like other saints, Je Tsongkhapa also pronounced certain miracles to evoke faith in all those who was looking for a refuge. At birth, he was born to a child of a farmer who made full use of his time reciting the Name and Praises to the Lord of Wisdom, Manjushri ;and of a pious mother who fervently placed her faith on the Compassionate Lord Avalokiteshvara, chanting his holy six syllable mantra everyday without fail.
He grew up as a child with very strong inclinations to the Buddha’s doctrine. At a very young age, he was quickly found by an eminent master who has just returned from a teaching in China. His Holiness Karmapa Mikyo Dorje took delight in this boy and gave him personally the Buddhist refuge vows as he could see in the boy that he could upkeep it just as well as caring for his life. He took delight in Buddhist teachings and made great use of his life to endure study under very great masters and lineage masters of that time.
As Buddhism was degenerating during that time due to a certain misleading trend at that time whereby most practices were not authentic and did not come from a valid lineage. Moreover, practitioners of that time did not value the precepts and moral codes laid down by Lord Buddha as stated in the texts as their commitment by holding the vows and moral codes were the essence and core of their practice. Lama Tsongkhapa spent his entire youth just studying on “Partchin” the Buddhist ethic code. He would spend the effort and time to understand; debate and reason out why were the codes lay down and made sure he had the right lineage of moral codes he had undertaken. Again and again he had requested masters whom were respected for their morality to give teachings and commentaries on the subject.
Along the way, he had also skillfully memorized texts on the Sutras and Tantras and more so made full use of the commentaries available by ancient Indian Panditas (scholars) of Buddhism. When Buddhism was brought to Tibet, the Lotsawas, great practitioners whom have realized the teachings and as well made effervescent efforts to make the essence of the Teachings available to the Tibetans by translating the texts from Sanskrit into the Tibetan language and Je Tsongkhapa made use of their compilations and written works as his main form of practice and passion. He was constantly finding opportunities to learn and master the teachings which he had requested to receive. Never was he lax in his practice and it would really hurt his heart if he couldn’t perform or understand a certain teaching.
Whenever we do not understand a certain thing in life, we would always question ourselves why and what is exactly the effect of the question which we want to know. From there, we would do research and find answers for ourselves. Sometimes we would even go on further into understanding the problem when it is perceived from a different point of view. Sounds logical right? This is exactly what the Great Tsongkhapa did. Throughout his life, he would first find the subject which he is not skilled in and further studied it. To reaffirm his knowledge and understanding, he would debate with another person who is knowledgeable in that particular subject. This was a way to sharpen his mind and ensure that there weren’t any space for doubt and confusion.
Great Tsongkhapa
to be continued....
King Songtsen Gampo
In Tibet, Buddhist kings such as the Great King Songtsen Gampo was renowned as the emanation of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. He had two princesses, one from China, the princess Wen Cheng and the Nepali princess Bikurti. King Songtsen Gampo was renowned to have brought two tribes of Tibet together and story has it that he emanated in both tribes many men and soldiers to fight the war and he himself came in between them to resolve the war to avoid further bloodshed. When the war was over, he absorbed all his emanations back. Thus was his exhibition of supernatural powers in order to fully benefit people and beings of that time.
So what about Lord Tsongkhapa? What did he actually do? Like other saints, Je Tsongkhapa also pronounced certain miracles to evoke faith in all those who was looking for a refuge. At birth, he was born to a child of a farmer who made full use of his time reciting the Name and Praises to the Lord of Wisdom, Manjushri ;and of a pious mother who fervently placed her faith on the Compassionate Lord Avalokiteshvara, chanting his holy six syllable mantra everyday without fail.
He grew up as a child with very strong inclinations to the Buddha’s doctrine. At a very young age, he was quickly found by an eminent master who has just returned from a teaching in China. His Holiness Karmapa Mikyo Dorje took delight in this boy and gave him personally the Buddhist refuge vows as he could see in the boy that he could upkeep it just as well as caring for his life. He took delight in Buddhist teachings and made great use of his life to endure study under very great masters and lineage masters of that time.
As Buddhism was degenerating during that time due to a certain misleading trend at that time whereby most practices were not authentic and did not come from a valid lineage. Moreover, practitioners of that time did not value the precepts and moral codes laid down by Lord Buddha as stated in the texts as their commitment by holding the vows and moral codes were the essence and core of their practice. Lama Tsongkhapa spent his entire youth just studying on “Partchin” the Buddhist ethic code. He would spend the effort and time to understand; debate and reason out why were the codes lay down and made sure he had the right lineage of moral codes he had undertaken. Again and again he had requested masters whom were respected for their morality to give teachings and commentaries on the subject.
Along the way, he had also skillfully memorized texts on the Sutras and Tantras and more so made full use of the commentaries available by ancient Indian Panditas (scholars) of Buddhism. When Buddhism was brought to Tibet, the Lotsawas, great practitioners whom have realized the teachings and as well made effervescent efforts to make the essence of the Teachings available to the Tibetans by translating the texts from Sanskrit into the Tibetan language and Je Tsongkhapa made use of their compilations and written works as his main form of practice and passion. He was constantly finding opportunities to learn and master the teachings which he had requested to receive. Never was he lax in his practice and it would really hurt his heart if he couldn’t perform or understand a certain teaching.
Whenever we do not understand a certain thing in life, we would always question ourselves why and what is exactly the effect of the question which we want to know. From there, we would do research and find answers for ourselves. Sometimes we would even go on further into understanding the problem when it is perceived from a different point of view. Sounds logical right? This is exactly what the Great Tsongkhapa did. Throughout his life, he would first find the subject which he is not skilled in and further studied it. To reaffirm his knowledge and understanding, he would debate with another person who is knowledgeable in that particular subject. This was a way to sharpen his mind and ensure that there weren’t any space for doubt and confusion.
Great Tsongkhapato be continued....
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