In this essay, I study the nature and history of the educational model of the commentarial school or bshad grwa as it is found nowadays in the non-Geluk schools. I show that despite its claims to represent an old tradition, this model of education is a fairly recent creation, arising during the non-sectarian movement. I trace some of the steps of its rise during this period, focusing on Khenpo Zhenga, one of the most understudied figures of the non-sectarian movement. I trace the stages of his career and show the importance of his contribution to the development of a full blown non-Geluk model of scholastic education.