General Spiritual Director
Kadampa International Retreat Centres – Places of Deep Insight
Jan 17, 2025
Modern Kadampa Buddhism
New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union
Founder:
VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE
Founder:
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher. He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. Today, the legacy of his life's work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.
"The day will come when you will do my job."
VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE
Working for world peace
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche devoted his entire life to making the pure teachings of Buddha available in a modern form to people throughout the world.
Now Venerable Geshe-la's followers holding him at their hearts continue his work with auspicious projects in every region of the world.
International Festivals
Statues & Temple Art
Kadampa Art Studio Training Course
The New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union is continually creating Temples and Kadampa Meditation Centres internationally; fulfilling Venerable Geshe-las wish to have a Kadampa Temple in every city in the world!
Temples
Video Feature ~ Restoration Project in the First Kadampa Temple for World Peace
Entering 2025, enjoy an inspiring feature video celebrating the restoration project of the First Kadampa Temple for World Peace. Designed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and opened by him in 1997, this temple has welcomed thousands seeking inner peace for nearly three decades. The restoration project revitalized the shrine and temple art, honoring its legacy and ensuring its beauty and significance to last for future generations.
Qualified Teachers
Where can we find peace of mind?
What do all living beings desire most? Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong reveals the universal wish we all share: to be happy and free from pain and problems. Yet, as Gen-la explains, despite this deep wish, we often sabotage our own happiness through anger, jealousy, and selfish habits.
- Feb 7 – 9 Irish Dharma Celebration
- Mar 1 – 4 Brazilian Dharma Celebration
- Mar 7 – 9 Mid-Atlantic US Dharma Celebration
- Mar 7 – 9 Californian Dharma Celebration
- Mar 14 – 16 Argentinian Dharma Celebration
- Mar 14 – 17 East Asian Dharma Celebration
- Mar 21 – 23 South African Festival
- Mar 21 – 23 Southern US Dharma Celebration
- Mar 28 – 30 Florida Dharma Celebration
- Mar 28 – 30 Nordic National Festival
- Mar 28 – 30 Scottish Dharma Celebration
- Apr 4 – 6 Peruvian Dharma Celebration
- Apr 4 – 6 Southwest US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 4 – 6 Midwest US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 4 – 7 Southeast Asian Dharma Celebration
- Apr 16 – 20 Spanish Festival
- Apr 17 – 21 Swiss Dharma Celebration
- Apr 17 – 20 Chilean Dharma Celebration
- Apr 18 – 20 Northwest US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 18 – 21 Australian Dharma Celebration
- Apr 18 – 23 French Festival
- Apr 18 – 21 German Dharma Celebration
- Apr 24 – 27 Portuguese Festival
- Apr 25 – 27 Northeast US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 25 – 27 New Zealand Dharma Celebration
- Apr 25 – 29 Canadian Festival
- Apr 25 – 27 Austrian Dharma Celebration
Where to start
Download FREE eBooks on Modern Buddhism
Find a local center
Words of Wisdom & Compassion
Daily quote from the collected works of Venerable Geshe-la
In the Sutras, Buddha says:
If you have only effort you have all Dharmas, But if you have only laziness you have nothing.
A person who has no great knowledge of Dharma but who nevertheless applies effort consistently will gradually attain all virtuous qualities; but a person who knows a great deal and has only one fault - laziness - will not be able to increase his or her good qualities and gain experience of Dharma.
How to Understand the Mind