Lama Tsongkhapa

Lama Tsongkhapa Relic Lama Tsongkhapa (1357 to 1419 CE) was born in the Tsong Kha region of Amdo Province in eastern Tibet. He was famous for his dedication to vigorous practice. He completed 3,500,000 full-length prostrations, leaving an impression of his body on the floor of the temple. He had visions of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of enlightened wisdom.

Lama Tsongkhapa is the founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He wrote many learned treatises and commentaries on the classic texts such as the lam rim (the stages on the path).

At the age of 62, very early in the morning while sitting in full lotus posture, Lama Tsongkhapa's breathing stopped. Many disciples present witnessed light rays emanating from his body, leading them to believe that he had entered the bardo (the stage between death and rebirth) as an enlightened being.

He taught:

"If you knew how hard it is to acquire,
Living the average life would be impossible.

If you saw its great benefits,
You would be sorry if it stayed meaningless.

If you thought about death,
You would make preparations for your future lives.

If you thought about cause and effect,
You would stop being reckless."

Relic and Source

While he was still alive, Lama Tsongkhapa offered his tooth to one of his heart disciples, Khedrup Je. The other disciples also wanted the tooth, so Je Tsongkhapa placed the tooth on the altar, made offerings and prayers and the tooth is reported to have multiplied into nine relics, which he distributed among his followers.The tooth relic exhibited here is one of the nine relics that manifested from that original tooth. The relic was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1987 by Wesar Rinpoche from Sera Me Monastery in South India.