Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and reformer who established the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was ordained as a monk at a young age in the Tibetan province of Amdo and studied extensively under a number of teachers.Tsongkhapa is well-known for emphasizing Buddhist philosophy, particularly the works of Indian Buddhist scholars such as Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti. He believed that a thorough understanding of these works was required for proper Buddhist practice, and he placed a high value on the study of logic and epistemology.Tsongkhapa also emphasized the importance of strict monastic discipline and tantric practice in achieving spiritual realization. He was a prolific writer whose works include commentaries on major Buddhist texts, Buddhist philosophy treatises, and works on Tibetan grammar and poetics.Tsongkhapa is regarded as one of the greatest Buddhist masters in Tibetan history, and his teachings continue to have a strong influence on the Gelug school and Tibetan Buddhism as a whole. He is also regarded as an emanation of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. His birthday is a major holiday in the Tibetan calendar every year.
