The Role of Prophecies in the Construction of the Geluk Tradition

In this talk, Michael Ium explores the role of prophecies in the legitimation and construction of the Geluk tradition. The focus of this presentation is the role of prophecies in the early history of Ganden Monastery and the construction of the Geluk tradition. Beginning with those articulated during Tsongkhapa’s own life, more and more prophecies would be cited over the years, attributed by Gelukpa historians to some twenty different texts and to a variety of figures, including buddhas, bodhisattvas, and revered Tibetan figures such as Songtsen Gampo Padmasambhava, and Machig Labdrön. This presentation will describe some of the main features of these prophecies, and then consider the role they played in the legitimation and construction of the Geluk tradition.