Gendun Drab (1391–1474) was the first Dalai Lama of Tibet. He was a disciple of Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (1357–1419), the great founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Gendun Drab was the first abbot of Ganden Monastery, founder of Tashilhunpo Monastery and established three theological colleges in Shigatse, Tsang. He was a renowned scholar-saint, known for his combination of study and practice. He recorded his insights on Buddha’s teachings and philosophy in 8 voluminous books. Some of his famous works are ‘Sunlight on the Path to Freedom’, ‘Praise of the Venerable Lady Khadiravani Tara’, ‘Crushing the Forces of Evil to Dust’, ‘The Song of the Eastern Snow Mountain’ and his three comprehensive commentaries on Vinaya. He died in 1474 at the age of 84 while meditating at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. He was posthumously given the title of First Dalai Lama more than 100 years after his death.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Gendun Drab was born in 1391 in Gyurmi Rupa near Sakya in the Tsang region of central Tibet. From a very young age, Gendun Drab showed a keen interest in religious symbols and practices. He was an avid learner and used to carve sacred Tibetan letters and prayers on stones. After his father’s death, his mother sent him to study at Nartang Monastery where he was given the name Pema Dorje. At the age of 15, he received the name Gendun Druppa Pel (Dge’ Dun Grub Pa Dpl), and was ordained as a full monk five years later in 1411. Because of his exemplary achievements in Vinaya study, he earned the title of “omniscient”.Thums Cad Makhayen Pa, In 1415, at the age of twenty-five, at Ganden Monastery, Yu-tsang, he met the great Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (Tsong Kha Pa Blo Bzang Grags Pa, 1357–1419), where he became his student and learned many of the religious teachings that would culminate in his legacy.
Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa, Master of Gendun Drab
Gendun Drab met his fellow student and successor of Tsongkhapa’s tantric teachings, Sherab Sengge (1383–1445), at Sangpu Monastery. They studied and traveled together for twelve years, spreading Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim teachings to monasteries including the Sakya and Kadam monasteries in Tsang. During his lifetime as a spiritual teacher, Gendun Drab trained abbots of Hadam, Geluk and Sakya monasteries in Tibet and Kham.
Family
The first Dalai Lama had humble beginnings. He was born in a nomadic tribe belonging to the Drom (‘Brom) clan. He was raised as a shepherd for 7 years before being sent to Nartang Monastery by his mother.
Guardian
His father’s name was Gonpo Dorje (Mgon Po Rado RJ) and his mother’s name was Jomo Namki (Jo Mo Nam Makha’ Skyd). His father died in 1398 when he was 7 years old. Unable to support the shepherd, his mother sent him to his uncle, who was a monk at Narthang Monastery near Shigatse.
fables
Mahakala
Mahakal, Protector of Dharma, Gendun Drab’s personal deity
According to a legend, he experienced divine intervention on the very night he was born. It is said that his mother hid him among the rocks for the night after their camp was attacked by bandits. Returning the next day, he found her safe and protected by a large black crow. It is believed that the Tibetan Buddhist patron deity, Mahakala, was protecting them in the form of a crow. Later on, Gendub Drub became devoted to Mahakal.
Palden Lhamo
Palden Lhamo is the presiding deity of all incarnations of the Dalai Lama. She is the only female Dharmapala among the 8 Dharmapalas
According to another tradition, Palden Lhamo, the female dharma protector of the Gelug tradition, and the guardian spirit of the fearsome lake of Lhamo Lhatso (lha mo lha matsho) Gendun appeared in Drun’s vision and promised that she would protect the reincarnated lineage of Dalai Lamas. Currently, she remains the personal Dharmapala (protector of Dharma) of all incarnations of the Dalai Lama. The 2nd Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso formalized coming to the sacred lake as a customary practice for monks to seek guidance regarding the whereabouts of the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama.
Lhamo Ltso, Gyatsa, Tibet
Coordination
Upon entering Nartang Monastery, he took lay vows from the fourteenth abbot, Khenchen Druppa Sherab (1357–1423), and in 1405, at the age of 15, he took his novitiate vows, where he received the name Gendun Druppa Pel (Dge’ Dun Grub Pa Dpel). In 1411, he took his monastic vows and became a fully ordained monk. He passed the 12 grades of monkhood in 12 years, taking the highest vows after his ordination.
Narthang Monastery, Shigatse, where Gendun Drab became a fully ordained monk
livelihood
In 1432, Gendun Drab became the abbot of the Sakya monastery Tanak Riku and converted it into a Geluk monastery. After the death of Tsongkhapa’s successor Khedrup Je (1st Panchen Lama, 1385–1438), Gendun Drup assumed leadership of the Gelugpa. He later became Abbot of Drepung Monastery, Lhasa. He entered a meditation camp at Narthang in 1441 at the age of 50. He twice held great prayer festivals at Tashi Lhunpo, one in 1463 and the next in 1474, which were attended by about 1600 monks and 10000 laymen. Despite strong opposition from the major Sakya and Kagyu monasteries, Gendun Drab established the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tsang in 1477. Its establishment increased Gelugpa influence in Tsang. He also established three theological colleges in Shigatse. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery became the fourth great Gelugpa monastery in Tibet after Ganden, Drepung and Sera monasteries. Gendun Drab remained abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery until his death. The monastery now serves as the seat of the Pachen Lama Avatar dynasty.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Shigatse, Tibet
Gendun Drab had no political role. The Dalai Lama’s political intervention began long after the 5th Dalai Lama was enthroned.
Death
In 1474, at the age of 84, Gendun Drab died while meditating at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Before his death, he went on foot to Narthang Monastery for his last teaching tour.
facts/common sense
- He was known as the “master of monasticism” and was often called Panchen Gendun Drup, the title ‘Panchen’ meaning ‘great scholar’.
- He was identified as an incarnation of the compassionate bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara.
- The Sakya master Tangtong Gyalpo (1361–1485) reportedly tried to prevent him from establishing the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.
- His body was buried at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and can still be seen at the present day.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn