Tsongkhapa

Guru Tson Khapa appeared in Tibet in the fourteenth century as the great revitalizer of Tibetan Buddhism. He is also known as Je Rinpoche. He is believed to be the manifestation of Guru Rinpoche himself. Guru Tson Khapa emphasized the value of discipline in monastic institutions and the value of academic pursuits and practice. He founded the Gelugpa tradition and among his closest disciple was Gedun Drub, later known as the First Dalai Lama. Guru Tson Khapa popularized the theme of Lamrim i.e. Stages of the path to Enlightenment introduced in Tibet by Guru Atisha. He is said to be the emanation of Bodhisattva Manjushree. He is shown holding a sword and a book. His body is radiant white with reddish glow. He sits upon sun and moon discs in lotus throne. He wears the traditional monastic robes and is crowned with a pandit yellow hat.