Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), born “Lozang Drakpa (bLo-bzang Grags-pa)” at present-day Huangzhong, Qinghai, is a famous grandmaster. He first studied the dharma at Qinghai and Tibet, and initiated his own sect over time. He stated that monks should obey the precepts and practice the teaching step by step. According to him, exoteric doctrines come before esoteric dogmas; hearing and thinking come before practicing and studying. In 1409, the master founded the Yellow-Hat Sect (Ge-lug-pa). His renowned writings such as The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path, The Great Treatise on the Stages of Mantra have a far-flung influence on Gelug and other sects. (Damzin Tashi)

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(1) The Gelugpa Sect Adopted Regulations for Reincarnation of Living Buddha