MODERN BUDDHISM
NEW KADAMPA TRADITION
Kadampa Buddhism is a time-honoured tradition that for centuries has made Buddha’s teachings and meditation practices available to people throughout the world. Buddhism has a timeless and universal relevance, and can be practised by anyone in any culture, regardless of race, gender, or age. Through training in meditation and other Buddhist practices you can improve the quality of your life by developing inner peace, compassion, and wisdom.
Spiritual Guide and Founder
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a contemporary Buddhist meditation master who holds a complete lineage of Buddha’s teachings that he received through an unbroken chain of realised masters dating back to Buddha himself. On the advice of his own Spiritual Guide he has pioneered the development of modern Buddhism in contemporary society introducing a special presentation of Buddha’s teachings that preserves their origin meaning whilst making them easily accessible and applicable to the modern world.
He shows how Buddha’s teaching can be used by anyone, Buddhist or not to solve their daily problems and eventually attain a deep and lasting happiness and peace.
Geshe-la has dedicated his life to creating all the necessary conditions to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern Society, writing twenty-three highly acclaimed books, establishing over 1200 meditation centres and groups throughout the world.
GENERAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC, the Mother Center of Kadampa Buddhism.
Gen-la has studied and practised Kadampa Buddhism for many years under the guidance of her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
As one of Venerable Geshe Kelsang’s close disciples, Gen-la Dekyong’s teachings, humour and kindness exemplify the essence of the Buddhist way of life. She is a perfect example of a Kadampa Teacher.
Each year, Gen-la Dekyong teaches at the International Festivals, National Festivals, and Dharma Celebrations throughout the world.
DEPUTY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and Resident Teacher at IKRC Grand Canyon.
Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and under Geshe-la’s guidance has
taught at many centres and events around the world.
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.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Kadam Bridget Heyes
Kadam Bridget Heyes is the National Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU for the UK and Ireland and Resident Teacher of Nagarjuna KMC, Northamptonshire. Kadam Bridget is a dedicated disciple of Venerable Geshe-la, known for her powerful teachings and her compassionate heart.
As National Spiritual Director she is the principal teacher of the UK Dharma Celebration, a national Kadampa event hosted by Tara IKRC and Nagarjuna KMC on alternate years.
RESIDENT TEACHER
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a retired General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa
Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). He is the Resident Teacher at Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre and the National Spiritual Director for Canada. Following his Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than forty years, he is an internationally renowned teacher who is greatly admired throughout the world for his powerful teachings, his wisdom, as well as his pure example of humility and loving-kindness. He is also well-known for his deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings and his ability to convey their profound meaning in a very clear and accessible way.
International Kadampa Festivals are special courses taught by the General Spiritual Director, Deputy Spiritual Director and the retired General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union.
The Festivals include teachings and empowerments from the principal Teacher, reviews and meditations led by senior NKT Teachers, chanted meditations and offering ceremonies, and retreats to consolidate and deepen your understanding and experience.
Open to everyone, these International Festivals are a wonderful opportunity to meet with Buddhist practitioners from all over the world and share experience and understanding with them.
THREE ANNUAL FESTIVALS
There are three International Festivals each year:
- The Spring Festival – held at Manjushri KMC in UK
- The Summer Festival – held at Manjushri KMC in UK
- The Fall Festival – held at various locations outside the UK
A Vision for World Peace
The International Temples Project (ITP) is an international fund dedicated to public benefit. It was founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche with the aim to introduce the Buddhist faith and practice of the NKT publicly, and to exemplify Buddhist practice through public service – showing how individuals and society benefit through the practice of Buddhism in modern daily life.
Constantly adapting to meet the needs of modern society, the International Temples Project presently achieves its aim through creating traditional and non-traditional World Peace Temples, Kadampa Meditation Centres and International Retreat Centres and through the activities of Kadampa Schools, World Peace Cafes, and Tharpa publications.
Tharpa Publications publishes the books of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a contemporary Buddhist master, international teacher and highly acclaimed author.
Written with great clarity, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s books offer a practical approach that meets the needs of modern people. They are available in many languages and range from introductory works to detailed commentaries on the most profound aspects of Buddhism. His books form the basis of our highly popular study programmes.
Visit www.tharpa.com find an extensive collection of books, guided meditations, audio and printed prayers and prints of authentic Buddhist art.
BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI
(circa 6th Century BCE)
NAGARJUNA
(circa 1st Century CE)
ASANGA
(circa 5th Century CE)
CHANDRAKIRTI
(circa 7th Century CE)
SHANTIDEVA
(CE 687-763)
ATISHA
(CE 952-1054)
DROMTONPA
(CE 1004-1064)
LANGRI TANGPA
(CE 1054-1123)
GESHE CHEKHAWA
(CE 1101-1174)
JE TSONGKHAPA
(CE 1357-1419)
JE PHABONGKHAPA
(CE 1878-1941)
VAJRADHARA TRIJANG RINPOCHE
(CE 1901-1981)
