Buddhism, one of the world's oldest spiritual traditions, began in ancient India over 2,500 years ago with Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who taught teachings including the Four Noble Truths: the existence of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation; the Perfection of Wisdom, which teaches the true mode of existence for external and internal objects and the path to full enlightenment that benefits all sentient beings; and the Vajrayana, which teaches skillful methods to achieve full enlightenment swiftly. This path encompasses compassion and wisdom.

Among the traditions of Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism is celebrated for its rich spiritual and cultural heritage that synthesizes the various teachings of the enlightening path into the guidance for mental training. Buddhism was established in Tibet by ancient Emperors such as Songtsen Gampo in what is known as the First Dissemination and revitalized in the 10th and 11th centuries after political turmoil in what is known as the Second Dissemination. During these disseminations, the emperors and kings invited Indian Buddhist scholars, sponsored translations of Buddhist texts, and trained local practitioners in Buddhism.

Shri Dipamkara Atisha (982-1054) is among the most illustrious scholars invited to Tibet during the Second Dissemination. Atisha, whose students started the Kadam tradition, introduced the approach to Buddhism that combines the traditions of Deep View, Profound Actions, and Profound Experience, focuses on rigorous ethical discipline and dialectic scholarship, and emphasizes the way to put teaching discourses towards transformation of the mind.

Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), a revered scholar and practitioner from Eastern Tibet, founded the Gelug tradition, which carried on the legacies of the Kadam tradition by his extensive philosophical works on Lam Rim (stages of the path), the middle way philosophy, and tantra. His balanced approach integrated the study of sutras (the Buddha's discourses) with tantric practices, which are advanced meditation techniques involving visualization and ritual.

A key feature of Je Tsongkhapa's tradition is its focus on logical analysis and debate to deepen understanding of the Buddha's teachings. Monastic education in Gelug monasteries includes extensive training in logic, philosophy, and dialectics, aimed at grasping the concept of emptiness—the understanding that all phenomena lack existence established from its own side.

The Gelug tradition is also noted for its spiritual leadership by the Dalai Lamas. The Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual leader of the Gelug tradition and Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be a succession of incarnations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has played a vital role in preserving Tibetan culture and promoting Buddhism worldwide.

Gelug practices include meditation, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of compassion and wisdom. Monks and nuns undergo strict monastic training, while lay practitioners are encouraged to integrate Buddhist principles into their daily lives. The guru-disciple relationship is highly valued, with the guru providing guidance and transmitting exoteric and esoteric teachings.