# Ganden Tripa

The Ganden Tripa, also spelled Gaden Tripa (Wylie: dga’ ldan khri pa "Holder of the Ganden Throne"), is the title of the spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, the school that controlled central Tibet from the mid-17th century until the 1950s. The 103rd Ganden Tripa, Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin, died in office on 21 April 2017. Currently, Jangtse Choejey Kyabje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo is the 104th Ganden Tripa.
The head of the Gelugpa order is the Ganden Tripa and not, as is often misunderstood, the Dalai Lama. It is also often misunderstood that the Ganden Tripa is the same person as the abbot of Ganden monastery. Ganden has two abbots, the abbot of Ganden Shartse and the abbot of Ganden Jangtse, and neither of them can be the Ganden Tripa unless they have also served as abbot of Gyumay or Gyuto tantric colleges. See 'Mode of Appointment' below.
The Ganden Tripa is an appointed office directly by Lama Tsongkhapa to Gyaltsab Je, not a reincarnation lineage. It is awarded on the basis of merit which is the basis of his hierarchical progression. Since the position is held for only a 7-year term, there have been many more Ganden Tripas than Dalai Lamas to date (104 as against 14).
Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), who founded the Gelug, is the first Ganden Tripa. After Tsongkhapa's death, his teachings were held and kept by Gyaltsab Je and Khedrub Je who were the next abbots of Ganden monastery. The lineage has been held by the Ganden Tripas.
In January 2003, the Central Tibetan Administration announced the nomination of the 101st Ganden Tripa. An excerpt from that press release gives his background:
   The 101st Ganden Tripa, Khensur Lungri Namgyel Rinpoche was born in 1927 in Kham (eastern Tibet). Ordained at eight years old, after fifty years of meditative practices and studies he was elevated by the Dalai-lama as successively abbot of Gyutö Tantric College (in 1983), and as abbot of Ganden Shartse Monastic University (in 1992). In 1986 he was the special envoy of the Dalai-lama to the ecumenical meetings of Assisi in Italy convened by Pope John Paul II. He is a French national and has been living in Paris, France, for more than 20 years. He transmits the Buddhist teachings of his lineage in a Dharma Center, Thar Deu Ling which he founded in 1980.
The 100th Ganden Tripa, Lobsang Nyima Rinpoche, retired and lived at Drepung Loselling Monastery with his labrang (office staff) until his death in 2008.

## Mode of appointment

The Ganden Tripa is nominated or appointed on the basis of a hierarchical progression based on merit, and the appointee does not necessarily have to have any direct connection with Ganden Monastery, although if he started as a Ganden monk he could have obtained his higher Geshe degree there and risen to be its abbot.
There is a traditional Tibetan saying: “If a beggar’s child has the ability, there is no stopping him becoming the Throne Holder of Ganden.” It means the post is obtained on merit alone, rather than by recognition as the incarnation of a teacher, or other means.
This, and the hierarchy through which any Gelugpa monk can rise up through the ranks on merit to become the Ganden Tripa is briefly described in the November 2011 edition of Me-Long, a journal published by the Norbulingka Institute, which is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture, and in full detail on "Study Buddhism". The progression can be summarised as follows: first of all, a monk of any Gelugpa monastery, who, after usually 15 to 20 years of study, achieves a Tsorampa or Lharampa (higher) Geshe degree, is obliged to enter either the Gyuto Tantric College or the Gyume Tantric College, depending on his place of origin in Tibet, to continue his studies. If, after one or two years further study he then qualifies as Ngagrampa Geshe, he can rise on merit to become a Geko or disciplinarian, then to become vice-abbot (tenure 3 years); then he can be chosen and appointed by the Dalai Lama as abbot of his respective college, with a tenure of a further 3 years.
On retirement as Abbot of Gyume or Gyuto, he becomes eligible to become, eventually, for former Gyume abbots the Jangtsey Chojey ("Dharma Master of the Northern Peak of Ganden Hill"), or for former Gyuto abbots the Sharpa Chojey ("Dharma Master of the Eastern Peak of Ganden Hill"). These are more elevated positions, above abbots and retired abbots, which are automatically accorded only to the senior-most surviving retired abbot, one from each respective college, with a tenure of 7 years.
The Ganden Tripa is an automatic appointment occurring once every 7 years, from one or the other of these two Chojeys or Dharma Masters, on an alternating basis. The incumbent Ganden Tripa stands down, and one of the two Chojeys is elevated. If the retiring Ganden Tripa is a former abbot of Gyume Tantric College, and thus a former Jangtsey Chojey, his replacement will be a former abbot of Gyuto Tantric College and thus the current Sharpa Chojey (and vice versa).
This appointment is automatic but is apparently confirmed by the Dalai Lama who, being the pre-eminent spiritual leader, publicly announces the appointment or nomination at the time of changeover. The Rizong Sre Rinpoche was the 102nd Ganden Tripa, he previously served as the abbot of both Gyume Tantric College and Drepung Loseling Monastery.

## List of Ganden Tripas
### 1–25

| # | name | biographical data | tenure | Wylie transliteration | further titles |
| 1. | Je Tsongkhapa, Lobsang Dragpa | 1357–1419 | 1409–1419 | tsong kha pa, blo bzang grags pa | Je Rinpoche (rje rin po che) |
| 2. | Dharma Rinchen (Gyaltsab Je) | 1364–1432 | 1419–1431 | dar ma rin chen | |
| 3. | Khedrup Gelek Pelzang | 1385–1438 | 1431–1438 | mkhas grub rje dge legs dpal bzang | 1st Panchen Lama |
| 4. | Shalu Lochen Legpa Gyeltshen | 1375–1450 | 1438–1450 | zhwa lu lo chen legs pa rgyal mtshan | – |
| 5. | Lodrö Chökyong | 1389–1463 | 1450–1463 | blo gros chos skyong | – |
| 6. | Chökyi Gyeltshen | 1402–1473 | 1463–1473 | chos kyi rgyal mtshan | 1st Tatsak Rinpoche (rta tshag rin po che) |
| 7. | Lodrö Tenpa | 1402–1476 | 1473–1476(79) | blo gros brtan pa | – |
| 8. | Mönlam Legpa Lodrö | 1414–1491 | 1480–1489 | smon lam legs pa'i blo gros | – |
| 9. | Lobsang Nyima | 1439–1492 | 1490–1492 | blo bzang nyi ma | – |
| 10. | Yeshe Sangpo | 1415–1498 | 1492–1498 | ye shes bzang po | – |
| 11. | Lobsang Dragpa | 1422/1429–1511 | 1499–1511 | blo bzang grags pa | – |
| 12. | Jamyang Legpa Lodrö | 1450–1530 | 1511–1516 | jam dbyangs legs pa'i blo gros | – |
| 13. | Chökyi Shenyen | 1453–1540 | 1516–1521 | chos kyi bshes gnyen | Also called Dharmamitra |
| 14. | Rinchen Öser | 1453–1540 | 1522–1528 | rin chen 'od zer | – |
| 15. | Panchen Sonam Dragpa | 1478–1554 | 1529–1535 | pan chen bsod nams grags pa | (gzims khang gong ma) |
| 16. | Chökyong Gyatsho | 1473–1539 | 1534–1539 | chos skyong rgya mtsho | 4th Lab Kyabgön (lab skyabs mgon) |
| 17. | Dorje Sangpo | 1491–1554 | 1539–1546 | rdo rje bzang po | – |
| 18. | Gyeltshen Sangpo | 1497–1548 | 1546–1548 | rgyal mtshan bzang po | – |
| 19. | Ngawang Chödrag | 1501–1551/1552 | 1548–1552 | ngag dbang chos grags | – |
| 20. | Chödrag Sangpo | 1493–1559 | 1552–1559 | chos grags bzang po | – |
| 21. | Geleg Pelsang | 1505–1567 | 1559–1565 | dge legs dpal bzang | – |
| 22. | Gendün Tenpa Dargye | 1493–1568 | 1565–1568 | dge 'dun bstan pa dar rgyas | – |
| 23. | Tsheten Gyatsho | 1520–1576 | 1568–1575 | tshe brtan rgya mtsho | – |
| 24. | Champa Gyatsho | 1516–1590 | 1575–1582 | byams pa rgya mtsho | – |
| 25. | Peljor Gyatsho | 1526–1599 | 1582–? | dpal 'byor rgya mtsho | – |

### 26–50

| # | name | biographical data | tenure | Wylie transliteration | further titles |
| 26. | Damchö Pelbar | 1523/1546–1599 | 1589–1596 | dam chos dpal 'bar | – |
| 27. | Sangye Rinchen | 1540–1612 | 1596–1603 | sangs rgyas rin chen | – |
| 28. | Gendün Gyeltshen | 1532–1605/1607 | 1603–? | dge 'dun rgyal mtshan | – |
| 29. | Shenyen Dragpa | 1545–1615 | 1607–1615 | bshes gnyen grags pa | – |
| 30. | Lodrö Gyatsho | 1546–1618 | 1615–1618 | blo gros rgya mtsho | 5th Lab Kyabgön |
| 31. | Damchö Pelsang | 1546–1620 | 1618–1620 | dam chos dpal bzang | – |
| 32. | Tshülthrim Chöphel | 1561–1623 | 1620–1623 | tshul khrims chos 'phel | – |
| 33. | Dragpa Gyatsho | 1555–1627 | 1623–1627 | grags pa rgya mtsho | – |
| 34. | Ngawang Chökyi Gyeltshen | 1571/1575–1625/1629 | 1623, 1627/1628(?) | ngag dbang chos kyi rgyal mtshan | – |
| 35. | Könchog Chöphel | 1573–1644 | 1626–1637 | dkon mchog chos 'phel | – |
| 36. | Tendzin Legshe | ?–1664 | 1638? | bstan 'dzin legs bshad | – |
| 37. | Gendün Rinchen Gyeltshen | 1571–1642 | 1638–1642 | dge 'dun rin chen rgyal mtshan | – |
| 38. | Tenpa Gyeltshen | ?–1647 | 1643–1647 | bstan pa rgyal mtshan | – |
| 39. | Könchog Chösang | ?–1672/1673 | 1644(?)/1648–1654 | dkon mchog chos bzang | – |
| 40. | Pelden Gyeltshen | 1601–1674 | 1651/1654/1655–1662 | dpal ldan rgyal mtshan | – |
| 41. | Lobsang Gyeltshen | 1599/1600–1672 | 1658/1662–1668 | blo bzang rgyal mtshan | – |
| 42. | Lobsang Dönyö | 1602–1678 | 1668–1675 | blo bzang don yod | Namdak Dorje |
| 43. | Champa Trashi | 1618–1684 | 1675–1681 | byams pa bkra shis | – |
| 44. | Ngawang Lodrö Gyatsho | 1635–1688 | 1682–1685 | ngag dbang blo gros rgya mtsho | – |
| 45. | Tshülthrim Dargye | 1632–? | 1685/1695–1692/1699 | tshul khrims dar rgyas | – |
| 46. | Ngawang Pelsang | 1629–1695 | ? | ngag dbang dpal bzang | Chinpa Gyatsho |
| 47. | Lobsang Chöphel | * 17th century | 1699–1701 | blo bzang chos 'phel | – |
| 48. | Döndrub Gyatsho | * 17th century | 1702–1708 | don grub rgya mtsho | The 1st Ling Rinpoche |
| 49. | Lobsang Dargye | * 17th century | 1708–1715 | blo bzang dar rgyas | – |
| 50. | Gendün Phüntshog | ?–1724 | 1715–1722 | dge 'dun phun tshogs | – |

### 51–75

| # | name | biographical data | tenure | Wylie transliteration | further titles |
| 51. | Pelden Dragpa | ?–1729 | 1722–1729 | dpal ldan grags pa | 1st Hortsang Sertri (hor tshang gser khri) |
| 52. | Ngawang Tshephel | 1668–1734 | 1730–1732 | ngag dbang tshe 'phel | – |
| 53. | Gyeltshen Sengge | 1678–1756 | 1732–1739 | rgyal mtshan seng ge | 1st Tsötritrül (gtsos khri sprul) |
| 54. | Ngawang Chogden | 1677–1751 | 1739–1746 | ngag dbang mchog ldan | 1st Reting Rinpoche (rwa sgreng) |
| 55. | Ngawang Namkha Sangpo | 1690–1749/1750 | 1746–1749/1750 | ngag dbang nam mkha' bzang po | 1st Shingsa Rinpoche (shing bza' ) |
| 56. | Lobsang Drimed | 1683–? | 1750–1757 | blo bzang dri med | – |
| 57. | Samten Phüntshog | 1703–1770 | 1757–1764 | bsam gtan phun tshogs | – |
| 58. | Chakyung Ngawang Chödrag | 1707–1778 | 1764–1778? | bya khyung ngag dbang chos grags | – |
| 59. | Chusang Ngawang Chödrag | 1710–1772 | 1771–1772? | chu bzang ngag dbang chos grags | – |
| 60. | Lobsang Tenpa | 1725–? | 6 Jahre | blo bzang bstan pa | – |
| 61. | Ngawang Tshülthrim | 1721–1791 | 1778–1785 | ngag dbang tshul khrims | 1st Tshemon Ling Rinpoche (tshe smon gling) |
| 62. | Lobsang Mönlam | 1729–1798 | 1785–1793 | blo bzang smon lam | – |
| 63. | Lobsang Khechog | 1736–1792 | 1792 (6 months) | blo bzang mkhas mchog | – |
| 64. | Lobsang Trashi | 1739–1801 | 1794–1801 | blo bzang bkra shis | – |
| 65. | Gendün Tshülthrim | 1744–1807 | ? | dge 'dun tshul khrims | – |
| 66. | Ngawang Nyandrag | 1746–1824 | 1807–1814 | ngag dbang snyan grags | – |
| 67. | Jamyang Mönlam | 1750–1814/1817 | 1814 (3 months) | 'jam dbyangs smon lam | – |
| 68. | Lobsang Geleg | 1757–1816 | 1815–1816 | blo bzang dge legs | – |
| 69. | Changchub Chöphel | 1756–1838 | 1816–1822 | byang chub chos 'phel | Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang |
| 70. | Ngawang Chöphel | 1760–1839 | 1822–1828 | ngag dbang chos 'phel | |
| 71. | Yeshe Thardo | 1756–1829/1830 | 1829–1830 | ye shes thar 'dod | – |
| 72. | Jampel Tshülthrim | * 19th century | 1831–1837 | 'jam dpal tshul khrims | 1st Khamlung Rinpoche khams lung |
| 73. | Ngawang Jampel Tshülthrim Gyatsho | 1792–1862/1864 | 1837–1843 | ngag dbang 'jam dpal tshul khrims rgya mtsho | 2nd Tshemon Ling |
| 74. | Lobsang Lhündrub | * 18th century | ? | blo bzang lhun grub | – |
| 75. | Ngawang Lungtog Yönten Gyatsho | * 19 century–1853? | 1850–1853 | ngag dbang lung rtogs yon tan rgya mtsho | The 4th Ling Rinpoche |

### 76–100

| # | name | biographical data | tenure | Wylie transliteration | further titles |
| 76. | Lobsang Khyenrab Wangchug | ?–1872 | 1853–1870 | blo bzang mkhyen rab dbang phyug | – |
| 77. | Tshülthrim Dargye | ? | 1859?–1864? | tshul khrims dar rgyas | – |
| 78. | Jamyang Damchö | * 19th century | 1864?–1869? | jam dbyangs dam chos | – |
| 79. | Lobsang Chinpa | * 19th century | 1869?–1874? | blo bzang sbyin pa | – |
| 80. | Dragpa Döndrub | * 19th century | 1874?–1879? | grags pa don grub | – |
| 81. | Ngawang Norbu | * 19th century | 1879?–1884? | ngag dbang nor bu | – |
| 82. | Yeshe Chöphel | * 19th century | 1884?–1889? | ye shes chos 'phel | – |
| 83. | Changchub Namkha | * 19th century | 1889?–1894? | byang chub nam mkha' | – |
| 84. | Lobsang Tshülthrim | * 19th century | 1894?–1899? | blo bzang tshul khrims | – |
| 85. | Lobsang Tshülthrim Pelden | 1839–1899/1900 | 1896–1899/1900 | blo bzang tshul khrims dpal ldan | Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang |
| 86. | Lobsang Gyeltshen | 1840–? | 1901–1907? | blo bzang rgyal mtshan | – |
| 87. | Ngawang Lobsang Tenpe Gyeltshen | 1844–1919 | 1907–1914 | ngag dbang blo bzang bstan pa'i rgyal mtshan | 3rd Tshemon Ling |
| 88. | Khyenrab Yönten Gyatsho | * 19th century | 1914?–1919 | mkhyen rab yon tan rgya mtsho | Drigungpa Khyenrab Yönten |
| 89. | Lobsang Nyandrag Gyatsho | * 19th century | 1919?–1924? | blo bzang snyan grags rgya mtsho | – |
| 90. | Champa Chödrag | 1876–1937/1947 | 1920/1921–1926 | byams pa chos grags | – |
| 91. | Lobsang Gyeltshen | ?–1932 | 1927–1932 | blo bzang rgyal mtshan | – |
| 92. | Thubten Nyinche | ?–1933? | 1933 | thub bstan nyin byed | 1st gtsang pa khri sprul |
| 93. | Yeshe Wangden | * 19th century | 1933–1939 | ye shes dbang ldan | 1st mi nyag khri sprul |
| 94. | Lhündrub Tsöndrü | ?–1949 | 1940–1946 | lhun grub brtson 'grus | Shangpa Lhündrub Tsöndrü |
| 95. | Trashi Tongthün | * 19th century | 1947–1953 | bkra shis stong thun | – |
| 96. | Thubten Künga | 1891–1964 | 1954/1958–1964 | thub bstan kun dga | – |
| 97. | Thubten Lungtog Tendzin Thrinle | 1903–1983 | 1965– | thub bstan lung rtogs bstan 'dzin 'phrin las | The 6th Ling Rinpoche |
| 98. | Jampel Shenpen | 1919–1989 | 1984–1989 | 'jam dpal gzhan phan | – |
| 99. | Yeshe Dönden | ?–1995 | ? | ye shes don ldan | – |
| 100. | Lobsang Nyima | * 1928-2008 | 1995–2003 | blo bzang nyi ma | – |

### 101–∞

| # | name | biographical data | tenure | Wylie transliteration | further titles |
| 101. | Loungri Namgyél | * 1927- | 2003–2009 | lung rig rnam rgyal | |
| 102. | Thubten Nyima Lungtok Tenzin Norbu | 1928-2022 | 2009-2016 | thub bstan nyi ma lung rtogs bstan 'dzin nor bu | Rizong Sras Rinpoche (2nd ri rdzong sras sprul) |
| 103. | Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin | 1937-2017 | 2016-2017 | rje btsun blo bzang bstan 'dzin | To be advised |
| 104. | Kyabje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo | 1935- | 2017-2024 | skyabs rje rje btsun blo bzang bstan 'dzin dpal bzang po | 104th Trisur Rinpoche |
| 105. | Jetsun Lobsang Dorjee Palsangpo | 1937- | 2024- | rje btsun blo bzang bstan rdo rje dpal bzang po | To be advised |
| ∞. | -- | -- | -- | -- | To be advised |