Sakya

The Sakya school is one of the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Its name means "pale earth" in Tibetan. This name refers to the unique grey landscape of the Ponpori Hills in southern Tibet. The Sakya Monastery serves as the primary seat for this school. It was built in 1073 by Khon Konchog Gyalpo. The Sakya tradition is also classified as one of the "Red Hat Orders." This group includes the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions. The school is defined by its unique lineage and its specific philosophical teachings.

The tradition developed during the second period of translating Buddhist scripture. This process involved moving texts from Sanskrit into the Tibetan language. A scholar named Drogmi was a central figure in this era. He spent twelve years in India studying under great masters like Naropa. He was a skilled translator and scholar. Drogmi eventually taught Khon Konchog Gyalpo. This connection helped establish the foundational roots of the Sakya school.

Leadership in the Sakya school follows a hereditary system. This succession occurs among the male members of the Khon family. The head of the school holds the title of Sakya Trizin. This title means "holder of the Sakya throne." The current Sakya Trizin is Gyana Vajra. He is the forty-third person to hold this office. Historically, succession alternated between two Sakya palaces. These are the Dolma Phodrang and the Phuntsok Phodrang. The Sakya Trizin currently leads the Dolma Phodrang branch.

The school was established by the Five Venerable Supreme Masters. The first of these was Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. He was the grandson of Khon Konchog Gyalpo. Other masters include Sonam Tsemo and Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen. The fourth patriarch was Sakya Pandita. He was a famous scholar who wrote influential texts on reasoning and vows. He wrote works such as "Means of Valid Cognition." Other notable scholars include Buton Rinchen Drub, a celebrated historian. Many others are known as the "Six Ornaments of Tibet."

The Sakya curriculum includes several complex systems of teaching. The supreme teaching is the Lamdre system, or "Path and its Fruit." This system derives from the mahasiddha Virūpa. It is based on the Hevajra Tantra. Another major system is the "Naropa Explanation For Disciples." The school also uses the "One Hundred Sadhanas" cycle. This was introduced by Mal Lotsawa. Other important transmissions include the Vajrakilaya and Mahākāla tantras.

Two main subsects emerged from the Sakya lineage over time. The Ngor school was founded by Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo in the 15th century. It is centered at the Ngor Evam Choden monastery. The Ngor school represents 85% of the Sakyapa school. Most Sakyapa monasteries in India belong to the Ngor tradition. The Tshar school was founded by Tsarchen Losal Gyamtso. There were also three "mother" monasteries in the tradition. These were Sakya Monastery, Ngor Evam Choden, and Phanyul Nalendra.

In the 13th century, the Sakya school held significant political power. In 1264, Kublai Khan gave feudal reign over Tibet to Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. This occurred under the Yuan dynasty. Sakya leaders served as administrators for nearly 75 years after Phagpa died in 1280. This era of administration lasted until the Red Turban Rebellion in the 1350s. The Yuan dynasty was eventually overthrown by the Ming dynasty. This period shows how the school was deeply connected to the history of Tibet.

Today, the Sakya tradition is a global presence. The Rimé movement helped preserve many of its teachings. Leaders like Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo collected rare Sakya works. This helped prevent the loss of traditions during later periods of suppression. The school has expanded far beyond Tibet. For example, Jigdal Dagchen Sakya co-founded the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the United States. The tradition continues to connect ancient lineages with modern practitioners worldwide.