Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa outside of Lhasa. Its abbot, the Ganden Tripa, is the nominal head of the Geluk tradition. Along with Sera and Drepung, it is one of the three Geluk monastic universities of central Tibet. Its two main colleges, Jangtse and Shartse, were founded by two of Tsongkhapa's disciples, Namkha Pelzangpo and Neten Rongyelwa. The tantric college of Gyudra was established by another student, Sherab Sengge.