Research on the Religious and Ethical Thought of Master Tsongkhapa

Author: Li Yuanguang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Tsongkhapa (1357—1419), also known as "Losang Zhaba," meaning "Wise One," was the founder of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born on the 25th day of the 10th month in the Fire Rooster year of the 6th cycle of the Tibetan calendar (October 25, 1357, corresponding to the 17th year of the Zhi Zhi era in the Yuan Dynasty) in the "Tsongkhapa" region (now the location of the Ta'er Temple in Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province), hence the name "Tsongkhapa." His father was Lüben Ge, a local official— (Dala Hada)—during the late Yuan Dynasty, and his mother was Xiangsa Aqie, who had six children, with Tsongkhapa being the fourth. Tsongkhapa's religious ethics reflect ultimate human concern. His cosmological concept of universal integration is first manifested in the wisdom of observing the universe and all living beings through the principle of dependent origination and emptiness, completely negating human egocentrism and providing a strong theoretical basis for the equality and unity of all beings. This surpasses other religions in both breadth and depth. Second, the spirit of tolerance, equality, and peace in his religious ethical thought also contributes to achieving the supreme goal of ultimate concern—integration. Especially his "ethical cultivation before the path" and the "Three Levels of Practice" ethical framework can establish three distinct yet interconnected ethical realms based on the diverse characteristics of living beings. These hold significant reference and inspiration for the establishment of a minimum global ethical consensus (universal ethics) that we seek today.