schoolsGelug

The Gelug, also known as Gelugpa or the Yellow Hat school, is one of the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. It emerged in the 14th century through the reform efforts of Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), who sought to restore strict monastic discipline and rigorous scholastic study. The movement unified monastic rules with a comprehensive program of Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and meditation.

A distinctive feature of Gelug is its emphasis on Vinaya discipline and scholastic debate within a monastic university system. Gelug scholars integrate Indian Buddhist philosophy, especially Madhyamaka and Yogacara, with Tsongkhapa’s own interpretations. Central to its practice is the Lamrim, or stages of the path, presented as a structured guide to enlightenment, with Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim Chenmo standing as a key text.

Historically Gelug established a network of major monasteries around Lhasa, notably Ganden, Drepung, and Sera, sometimes called the three seats. The tradition produced a lineage of scholastic and administrative leaders who played a decisive role in Tibetan affairs. Since the 17th century, the Dalai Lamas have commonly served as the spiritual leaders and, in practice, political heads of the Gelug tradition, shaping its public mission and influence.

Globally, Gelug centers, monasteries, and teachers continue to propagate its core emphasis on monastic discipline, rigorous debate, and the interpretation of Madhyamaka through Tsongkhapa’s framework. The school remains a influential and recognizable strand of Tibetan Buddhism, closely associated with Tibetan cultural and religious identity.