Monday, December 26, 2005 is the Anniversary of Je Tsongkapa, 1357 - 1419 AD. This holiday is celebrated on the 25th day in the tenth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. Geshe-Lobtin will be performing a Guru Puja & Tsok offering in remembrance of Je Tsong-khapa at 11:00 in the Chamtse Ling. This event is free and open to the public and all are invited and welcome to attend. Bringing fresh fruits, small cakes, sweets, and flowers for the altar is customary for a Tsog offering.

Tsong-khapa (Je Rinpoche, The precious Lord), was one of the most famous philosophers of Tibet who successfully integrated into his life his highest knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings and his accomplishment of true spiritual insight or realization. He is renowned as an emanation of Manjushri. As the founder of the Gelug pa order of Tibetan Buddhism, Tsongkhapa’s presence was not only of great service in the preservation of the dharma, but also in thoroughly refining the teachings. To this day, his life and work profoundly inspire millions of people around the world. Tsongkhapa founded Ganden Monastery – one of the greatest monasteries in Tibet – and his popular Gelugpa tradition gave rise to many others following in this same order (such as is studied and practiced at Drepung, Sera, the Upper and Lower Tantric monasteries, as well as Namgyal Monastery). The Gelug pa tradition spread not only throughout Tibet, but also into Mongolia and the Hima layan regions of Lhadak, Spiti, Kinnaur and so on. Lama Tsongkhapa is also referred to as Shar Tsong-khapa Lobsang Dragpa; simply meaning that he was born in the eastern part of Tibet, in the Tsong-kha area, and his given name at birth was Lobsang Drakpa (meaning one who is goodhearted and famous).