Members of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition is the Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a highly respected meditation Master and scholar born in Tibet in 1931. Under the guidance of his Spiritual Guide, the Venerable Trijang Rinpoche, he trained for nineteen years in the great Tibetan monasteries of Jampaling and Sera-Je before entering into meditation retreat in the Himalayas for almost twenty years. He holds the entire lineage of instructions of Kadampa Buddhism and is renowned as a great Teacher and Yogi.

In 1977 Geshe Kelsang was invited to England as the Resident Teacher at the Manjushri Mahayana Buddhist Center in England, where he has remained ever since. Now a naturalized British citizen with fluent English and a complete understanding of the Western world, he has dedicated his life to helping Western people integrate the teachings of Buddha into their daily lives through meditation.

Geshe Kelsang is renowned for the purity and authenticity of his teachings and published works. He presents the pure teachings of Buddha in a way that is easy for Westerners to understand and put into practice. He is the only Lama to have provided a complete re-presentation of the Buddhist path in accordance with the needs and inclinations of the modern world.

Eighteen of Geshe Kelsang's books have already been published by Tharpa Publications, and others are at various stages of preparation. Ranging from highly accessible books for beginners to detailed and lucid expositions of the profundities of Buddhist philosophy, they form a comprehensive presentation of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. These books are now being translated into a number of languages, including Spanish, German, French, Greek, Russian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.

Go to the official web site of The New Kadampa Tradition

The New Kadampa Tradition

The lineages of these teachings, both their scriptural transmission and realization, were then passed from Teacher to disciple, and spread throughout much of Asia, and now to many countries throughout the western world. Buddha’s teachings, which are known as Dharma, are likened to a wheel that moves to country to country in accordance with changing conditions and people’s karmic inclinations. The external forms of presenting Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage of realized practitioners.

Kadampa Buddhism was first introduced into the West by the renowned Venerable Buddhist Master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 1976. Since that time he has worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many profound texts of Kadampa Buddhism, and establishing over 500 Dharma centers throughout the world, with over 50 in the United States. Each center offers study programs, meditation instruction, and retreats for all levels of practitioner. The emphasis in on integrating Buddha’s teachings into daily life to solve our human problems and to spread lasting peach and happiness throughout the world.

The Kadampa Buddhism of the NKT (New Kadampa Tradition) is an entirely independent Buddhist tradition and has no political affiliations. It is an association of Buddhist Centers and practitioners that derive their inspiration and guidance from the example of the ancient Kadampa Buddhist Masters and their teachings, as presented by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

There are three reasons why we need to study and practice the teachings of Buddha: to develop our wisdom, to cultivate a good heart, and to maintain a peaceful state of mind. If we do not strive to develop our wisdom, we will always remain ignorant of ultimate truth – the true nature of reality. Although we wish for happiness our ignorance leads us to engage in non-virtuous actions, which are the main cause of all our suffering. If we do not cultivate a good heart, our selfish motivation destroys harmony and good relationships with others. We have no peace and no chance to gain pure happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. If we do not maintain a peaceful state of mind we are not happy even if we have ideal conditions. On the other hand, when our mind is peaceful we are happy even if external conditions are unpleasant. Therefore, the development of these qualities is of utmost importance for our daily happiness.

Go to the official web site of The New Kadampa Tradition