Kadampa Buddhism

Modern Day Kadampas

The New Kadampa Tradition is a special Kadampa tradition of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Although established as a distinct tradition in 1991, the New Kadampa Tradition arose, as with all Buddhist traditions, from the teachings, example, and blessings of Buddha Shakyamuni. These were then transmitted through a lineage of realised Buddhist Masters, including the Indian Buddhist Master Atisha, the founder of the Old Kadampa Tradition, and the Tibetan Buddhist Masters, Je Tsongkhapa and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the root Spiritual Guide, or Guru, of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Initially, there were two principal lineages passed down from Buddha Shakymuni, known as the wisdom lineage of Nagarjuna and the method lineage of Asanga. These two lineages were passed down through various Indian Buddhist Masters.

Later, the great Indian Teacher Atisha (982-1054 AD) gathered together the teachings of these two lineages, and re-introduced them into Tibet.

The followers of Atisha are known as Kadampas : 'Ka' means 'word' and refers Buddha's teachings, and 'dam' refers to Atisha's special Lamrim instructions known as 'the stages of the path to enlightenment'.

The Kadampa tradition was later promoted widely in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who were known as the 'New Kadampas'.

Transforming daily activities into the path

By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha's teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating this into their everyday lives, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha's teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

The great Kadampa Teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity.

Lineage

The lineage of these teachings, both their oral transmission and blessings, was then passed from Teacher to disciple, spreading 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 from 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 in the West

Kadampa Buddhism was first introduced into the West in 1977 by the renowned Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Since that time he has worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many profound texts on Kadampa Buddhism, and founding the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

Find a Centre

For a Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Centre in your area, enter a city, county, state, or centre name into the box below and click on the 'Search' button. You will be redirected to the kadampa.org site.