Je Tsongkhapa, meaning: "the man from Tsongkha” or "the Man from Onion Valley" was born in 1357.  He was an influential Buddhist monk and philosopher, whose activities led to the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. 

 

Je Tsongkhapa was acquainted with all Tibetan Buddhist traditions of his time, and received teachings and transmission from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.  For Je Rinpoche, all Buddhist forms of meditation can fall into two broad categories which must be balanced and fully developed together: calming meditation, which are "meditations that engage and strengthen our capacity to focus and to stabilize the mind without distraction—culminating in perfect serenity" and insight meditations which "use and develop the capacity to discern and to analyze the qualities of an object—culminating in meditative wisdom."

 

Je Tsongkhapa was a prolific author with a broad knowledge of Buddhist Philosophy, Logic, Hermeneutics and practice.  He wrote numerous works on madhyamka philosophy (such as Ocean of Reasoning, a commentary on Mulamadyyamakakarika), Mahayana practice (such as Lamrim Chenmo), and Vajrayaa (Great Exposition of Secret Mantra). Je Rinpoche’s philosophy is based on the idea that "a complete understanding of Buddhist Philosophy  requires a synthesis of the epistemology and logic of Dharmakirti with the metaphysics of Nagarjuna.

 

Je Tsongkhapa is also known for his emphasis on the importance of philosophical reasoning in the path to liberation. According to Je Tsongkhapa, meditation must be paired with rigorous reasoning in order to push the mind and precipitate a breakthrough in cognitive fluency and insight.

 

Je Tsongkhapa passed away in 1419 at the age of sixty-two at Ganden monastery.  Je Tsongkhapa's works and teachings became central for the Ganden or Gelug school, where he is seen as a major authoritative figure. To this day, Je Rinpoche’s writings are taught and studied extensively by Tibetan Buddhists all over the world.