Kadampa Buddhism

MODERN BUDDHISM FOR EVERYONE

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054). ‘Ka’ refers to Buddha’s teachings, and ‘dam’ to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions. Kadampas use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

The Kadampa tradition was later promoted widely in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, known as the ‘New Kadampas’, who were not only great scholars but also spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity.

After Je Tsongkhapa, the New Kadampa lineage flourished for hundreds of years, down to the present day. In recent years, it has been promoted widely throughout the world by the contemporary Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, who founded the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). The New Kadampa Tradition is an association of over 1200 Buddhist Centres and groups that derive their inspiration from the ancient Kadampa Buddhist Masters and aim to preserve Kadampa Buddhism for the future. More info

Buddha Shakyamuni

Buddha Shakyamuni is the founder of Buddhism who demonstrated the attainment of full enlightenment and how to awaken from the sleep of ignorance and cyclic rebirth. He then passed the teachings, or dharma, in an unbroken lineage through the ancient Kadampa teachers Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa.

Venerable Atisha

The great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (982-1054 AD) was responsible for reintroducing pure Buddhism into Tibet. He was asked to present a Dharma that everybody could follow and show how all paths of Sutra and Tantra could be practised together. Atisha wrote Lamp for the Path, the original Lamrim text that served as the basis for all subsequent Lamrim instructions.

Je Tsongkhapa

Je Tsongkhapa was a great 14th century Tibetan Buddhist Master who promoted and developed the Kadampa Buddhism that Atisha had introduced three centuries earlier. His followers became known as the ‘New Kadampas’, and to this day New Kadampas worldwide study his teachings and strive to emulate his pure example.

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

Ancient wisdom for modern living

Spiritual Founder

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

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

Since 1977, when he accepted an invitation to become Resident Teacher at Manjushri Centre in the UK, he has given thousands of teachings, composed twenty-three widely acclaimed books on Buddhism and meditation, established over 1,300 meditation centers, trained hundreds of qualified Teachers and developed practical study and meditation programs to suit the needs of the modern world. In short, he has dedicated his entire life to laying the foundation for modern Kadampa Buddhism to flourish throughout the world in this and future generations. Click the 'Books' button to find the collected works of Venerable Geshe-la

Books

General Spiritual Director

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Gen-la Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union and Resident Teacher of Manjushri KMC In Ulverston, Cumbria- the Mother Centre of the New Kadampa Tradition. She studied and practiced for many years with her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, from whom she received many transmissions

As the most senior teacher in the tradition Gen-la teaches throughout the world at major events. She is a fully qualified teacher of both Sutra and Tantra and is greatly admired and deeply loved by thousands of people worldwide. Her teachings are profound and inspiring, and yet always extremely practical.

Events

Deputy General Spiritual Director

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher at IKRC Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.

He has studied under Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and taught internationally for many years and is greatly admired for his warm personality and clear, inspiring teachings

Gen-la Jampa teaches at the International Kadampa Retreat Centre in Arizona, USA

Events

National Spiritual Director

Kadam Bridget Heyes

The National Spiritual Director of the UK is Kadam Bridget Heyes, who is also the Resident Teacher at Nagarjuna KMC in Northamptonshire. She is a senior disciple of Venreable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and has been practising for many years. Her down-to-earth teachings and joyful example are an inspiration to all, and provides exceptionally clear teachings and presents profound ideas in ways that are easy to practice and integrate into daily life.

Kadam Bridget teaches many events thoughout the UK, click the events button for more info

Events

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Amitabha KMC's Resident Teacher

Gen Kelsang Lamchen

Gen Kelsang Lamchen is the Resident Teacher of Amitabha Kadampa Meditation Centre. She has studied, practised and taught Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for almost 25 years. Gen Lamchen has a wealth of meditation experience and presents Buddha's teachings in a clear and practical way, making them easy to integrate into daily life. Her warmth and loving example is an inspiration to all

For classses at Amitabha KMC click the button.

Classes

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

In Bristol

Amitabha Kadampa Meditation Centre was founded in 1992 by the renowned Buddhist meditation master Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Amitabha KMC is located in the bustling, bohemian district of Gloucester Road and provides a peaceful and relaxed environment in which people can discover the benefits of meditation and modern Buddhism. We hold regular classes and courses here at the centre in Bristol and throughout the surrounding areas via our outreach classes.

More about us