Gendün Drup

Gendün Drup (Wyl. dge 'dun grub) (1391-1474) — born into a simple nomadic family of Tsang, Gendün Drup would become an incredibly learned and realized master. According to legend, while young he was watched over by a crow, an emanation of Mahakala.

He left home to become a monk at the age of seven, studying in the Kadampa tradition. After meeting with Tsongkhapa in 1415 in Central Tibet, he became one of his closest disciples. After Tsongkahapa's passing away only four years later he devoted himself to fulfilling his teachers vision and worked to establish and organise the monastic community he had established. One of his greatest acheivements was the establishment of Tashilhunpo Monastery at Shigatse.

Having made such a great contribution to the establishment of the Gelugpa school he passed away aged 84 amongst many auspicious signs.

Two centuries later he was posthumously awarded the title of First Dalai Lama.

Internal Links

• Dalai Lama Incarnation Line
• Tashilhunpo Monastery

Further Reading

• Gendun Drub, Bridging the Sutras and Tantra, translated by G.H. Mullin, Snow Lion, 1982