General Spiritual Director
Work Day with Resident Teachers preparing for International Summer Festival
Jul 21, 2026
Recognizing our good fortune
Today, October 25th, is Je Tsongkhapa day
Today, we celebrate the life of Je Tsongkhapa and the lineage of pure teachings he has given to the world.
“In Root Tantra of Manjushri Buddha Shakyamuni made a prediction about how Manjushri would later emanate as Je Tsongkhapa:
After I pass away
And my pure doctrine is absent,
You will appear as an ordinary being,
Performing the deeds of a Buddha
And establishing the Joyful Land, the great Protector,
In the Land of the Snows.
Je Tsongkhapa showed a perfect example of how to build the foundation for the spiritual path, how to progress on that path, and how to complete it. First he studied the entire Dharma of Sutra and Tantra by relying sincerely upon his Spiritual Guides, and then he put all this knowledge into practice and demonstrated the attainment of all the realizations from relying upon the Spiritual Guide up to the Union of No More Learning, or Buddhahood. Since then, thousands of practitioners have attained the ultimate happiness of Buddhahood within one life by following Je Tsongkhapa’s example and sincerely practising his teachings."
Extract from Heart Jewel
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Je Tsongkhapa's lineage today
On this day we also honor Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, our most kind Spiritual Guide and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition, whose kindness, good qualities, activities and perfect example are exactly those of Je Tsongkhapa, and who brings the teachings of the Wisdom Buddha to this modern world.
Appearing in the aspect of a humble, pure practitioner, he has shown an immaculate example of spiritual practice, giving pure teachings, and establishing Dharma centers, as well as study and meditation programs. Through this he has ensured that the pure Dharma of Buddha Shakyamuni will always remain fresh and accessible.
In his many pure Dharma books, he has shown how all Buddha’s teachings can be used as personal advice in daily life, providing scientific methods for improving our human nature and qualities through developing the capacity of our mind.
Our great good fortune!
Because we have met with this pure lineage, presented in a clear and practical way, we have the incredible good fortune to enter, make progress on and complete the path to enlightenment. It is magical that we now have the opportunity to attain full enlightenment in one short human life, easily and without discomfort.
We thank Guru Tsongkhapa, with deep gratitude for his great and many kindnesses, and we make heartfelt and sincere prayers for all living beings to come under his loving care and protection.
Through the flourishing of holy Dharma throughout the world, may each and every living being quickly come to experience the supreme happiness of enlightenment.
