Recent Photo-newsletters
The International Temples Project (ITP) was established by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso with the vision to build a Kadampa Buddhist Temple in every major city in the world.
These Temples are dedicated to world peace and everyone is welcome to visit them and enjoy the peace and tranquility they provide.
‘Just looking at a Temple with a happy mind places good imprints on our mind and brings inner peace.
‘Through the power of this special object, problems such as anger and attachment are reduced.’ Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Support for the project
The ITP is funded by donations and by profits from:
- Dharma centers
- Kadampa Meditation Centers
- Dharma Celebrations
- National Festivals
- International Festivals
Each year there is an International Temples Day on which Kadampa centers worldwide celebrate the International Temples Project.
Visit an International Center
Kadampa Meditation Centers (KMCs) and International Retreat Centers (IRCs) are International Centers dedicated to the peace and happiness of everyone - both now and in the future. These Centers host many special courses and retreats throughout the year, including International Festivals, National Festivals, and regional Dharma Celebrations.
All the profits from events held at KMCs and IRCs help accomplish the goals of the International Temples Project (ITP). By attending these events, you can enjoy them and benefit personally while supporting the continued development of International Temples Projects worldwide – each one dedicated to world peace.
Attend an International Festival
Kadampa students from more than 40 countries gather together three times each year at International Festivals to celebrate the loving-kindness of the NKT Founder, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. This kindness appears directly in our life as our close connection with Buddha, as Buddha’s teachings that are unsurpassed in helping us to solve our problems, and as the inspiring friends who will travel with us along the path to inner and outer peace.
Attending these Festivals (and helping to organize and host them) is such a joyful and beneficial activity ...thousands of Kadampas take part annually, all working in so many ways to create the harmonious world we long for. Profits from every area of the International Festival's support the ITP. Registration fees, accommodations, and purchases in shops and cafes provide enjoyment for you and at the same time profound service to others.
Purchase a Product from Tharpa Publications
Tharpa Publications is a worldwide organization that produces widely acclaimed books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso that present the entire Kadampa Buddhist path to enlightenment with extraordinary clarity. Each book is beautifully written as a contemporary and practical guide for increasing our love, compassion and wisdom so that we can lead a truly happy and meaningful life.
Tharpa also provides audio CDs, DVDs, and Buddhist artwork and other products to support all levels of Buddhist study and meditation practices.
Because Tharpa products are so beneficial, and because all profits from sales are dedicated to the ITP, they make the best gifts, whether for yourself or others! Please consider Tharpa items like these for your holiday giving:
Wheel of Life DVD - Meeting the Buddhas - Living Meditation CDs
Offer a Working Visit
Kadampa Temples are dependent upon the kindness of volunteers to be able to fulfill their mission of providing what Venerable Geshe-la has described as "the best public service."
KMC and IRC residents contribute every day to the running of their Centers, and working visitors from all walks of life can help too by offering 35 hours per week of voluntary labor in exchange for accommodation, meals, and the chance to attend daily prayers and General Program classes.
There is always rewarding and very meritorious work to do at KMCs and IRCs, such as assisting the community with cooking, cleaning, yard work and reception. Special building and art projects also require skilled volunteers in various locations. If you are interested in a working visit, you can find more information on each KMC and IRC website.
Attend your Local Center
KMCs, IRCs and private Dharma Centers, large and small, are closely related and share a common purpose. By working together with the same compassionate intention, students at these Centers can help Kadam Dharma to flourish everywhere ... locally, nationally and throughout the world ... now and for future generations.
Whenever you help with or attend an activity at your local Dharma Center, make a donation to the ITP, or support the NKT by attending a Festival or Dharma Celebration, you are cherishing Kadam Dharma and in this way cherishing all living beings!
Make prayers and dedications
Every day all around the globe Kadampas are working to establish inner and outer peace. At KMCs, IRCs, Dharma Centers and branch locations on every continent, NKT Teachers and students are practicing and sharing Buddha’s teachings in the language of that region. In this way more and more people have the opportunity to transform their mind and life, fulfill their potential and develop everlasting peace and happiness.
We can rejoice continually in these international efforts – and also in whatever we ourselves are able to contribute towards this beautiful aim. And with a compassionate intention to benefit all living beings we can make pure prayers and powerful dedications:
May every virtuous activity we engage in to help and support the ITP, be the cause of peace in our heart and lasting peace in this world, for this and all future generations.