Modern Kadampa Buddhism

Buddha & Buddhism

The founder of Buddhism in this world was Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India some two and a half thousand years ago.

Since then millions of people around the world have followed the pure spiritual path he revealed.

Buddha explained that all our problems and suffering arise from confused and negative states of mind, and all our happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful and positive states of mind.

Lasting Peace & Happiness

Buddha taught methods for gradually overcoming negative states of mind such as anger, jealousy and ignorance, and developing positive minds such as love, compassion and wisdom.

Through this we will come to experience lasting peace and happiness.

These methods work for anyone, in any country, at any age.

Once we have gained experience of them for ourselves we can pass them on to others so they, too, can enjoy the same benefits.

The Buddhist way of life – peace, loving kindness and wisdom – is just as relevant today as it was when Buddha appeared in ancient India.

The New Kadampa Tradition

The New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) is an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centres founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso to offer the practical wisdom of Kadampa Buddhism to the people of the modern world.

The NKT follows the pure tradition of Mahayana Buddhism handed down in an unbroken lineage from Buddha Shakyamuni through the ancient Kadampa teachers Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa and introduced into the West by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Rapidly growing, our Kadampa community is an international family, offering support, inspiration and encouragement for this joyful and profound spiritual path at centres around the world.

For more information please see the main Kadampa website.

A photo of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso teaching

Our Founder

The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a world-renowned meditation master who holds the very essence of Buddha’s teachings in his heart.

Venerable Geshe-la transmits this profound wisdom and compassion to the people of the modern world in very practical ways through the extremely accessible methods of modern Kadampa Buddhism, which he introduced.

Find out more about Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s life: A life of Supreme Dedication

International Teachers

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) and Principal Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC.

She is a modern Buddhist nun dedicated to helping people from all walks of life attain lasting happiness through developing inner mental peace.

Gen-la has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for nearly 40 years and holds the lineages of his blessings in her heart.

Gen-la is greatly respected for the power and sincerity of her teachings and the warmth of her personality.

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the Deputy Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and Resident Teacher of International retreat Centre, Grand Canyon.

He has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years.

Under Geshe-la’s guidance, he has taught at many centers and events internationally.

Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings, and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is the NKT National Spiritual Director for Canada.

A retired General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU), he has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over thirty-five years.

Gen-la Khyenrab is an internationally renowned teacher and English Buddhist monk who is greatly admired for his powerful teachings as well as his pure example of humility and loving-kindness.