Gelugpa

Tibetan Buddhist tradition founded by Tsongkhapa Lozang Dragpa (1357–1419). The Dalai Lama is always a member of this tradition, though the actual head of the tradition is always the head abbot of the Ganden monastery, founded by Tsongkhapa.

The tradition follows a strict reading of the Vinaya (monastic rules laid down in the Tripitaka, Buddhist scriptures). Gelugpa monks follow a celibate, monastic way of life and undertake extensive philosophical scholarship. Tsongkhapa also taught that there was a graded path to enlightenment which the tradition is able to teach.