Tsongkhapa as a Mahāsiddha

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Asian Institute

Tsongkhapa as a Mahāsiddha: A Reevaluation of the Patronage of the Gelukpa in Tibet

Jackman Humanities Building, Room 318, University of Toronto

*Please note that this event will be held fully in-person with limited attendance*Abstract:This paper offers a reevaluation of the early patronage of the Geluk tradition in Tibet in the fifteenth century. Due to modernist biases and an overemphasis on the Gelukpa as embodying one pole within various dichotomous formulations favored by historians of religion (for instance, as clerical rather than shamanic), existing accounts of this patronage emphasize the importance of Tsongkhapa’s virtue and erudition, leading some scholars to conclude that charisma and magical power were inconsequential to the growth of the tradition. Instead, I argue that Tsongkhapa’s status as a mahāsiddha or “great adept” of Buddhist Tantra was a primary factor in his gaining patronage from the political elites of the Pakmodrupa Dynasty. This status was mediated by the endorsement of the mahāsiddha Lhodrak Namkha Gyeltsen and then popularized in later biographical works (as well as within Tibetan paintings). This status also stimulated continuing patronage of the tradition, even after Tsongkhapa’s passing.BIO:Michael Ium is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Toronto's Department for the Study of Religion and Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Studies. He is primarily a historian of religion with specialties in Tibet and South Asia. Under the guidance of his advisor José Cabezón, the focus of his dissertation is the early history of Ganden Monastery in Tibet and how that history impacted the construction of the Geluk tradition. He recently spent two years in Nepal and South India translating dozens of classical Tibetan texts related to his dissertation.Discussant: Rory Lindsay (Assistant Professor, Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto)Chair: Christoph Emmrich (Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies; Associate Professor, Department for the Study of Religion and Buddhist Studies, University of Toronto)Organized by the Centre for South Asian Studies at the Asian Institute and co-sponsored by The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Studies, University of Toronto. *********************************************************************************************************U of T COVID-19 planning update While the current pause in our mandatory mask requirement continues, the use of a medical mask in high-density indoor spaces when physical distancing is not possible is strongly encouraged during the period when cases are rising in Ontario. The University is a mask-friendly environment, and we ask everyone to respect each other’s decisions, comfort levels, and health needs. The University will continue to monitor public health conditions over the coming weeks as September approaches to adjust our response as needed, and we will update you on any changes.

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Tsongkhapa as a Mahāsiddha

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Tsongkhapa as a Mahāsiddha

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