The first Kadampa temple in Africa

Created through the kindness and vision of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Tushita KMC in Cape Town is the first Kadampa temple in Africa.

The building was purchased by NKT-IKBU in March 2017, and after a year-long renovation project was opened in May 2018 by Gen-la Jampa, the deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU.

Besides the magnificent meditation room that accommodates 100 people, there is a social area and shop on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the floor above. The space is very inviting with a modern feel and plenty of light, providing an oasis of calm in a busy urban setting.

Great power to benefit

Gen Kelsang Pagpa the Resident Teacher says, ‘The center now has great power to benefit many people in Cape Town and beyond. Many locals have said how much they appreciate our presence in this vibrant and diverse neighborhood.

Offering a full program of meditation classes, courses and retreats that are open to everyone, we see the temple as a beacon of hope shining the benevolent rays of Kadam Dharma from the tip of Africa throughout the whole continent and world.‘

Reaching younger people

Earlier in the year, 30 school children spent the day at the temple learning how to deepen their meditation practice as part of the Youth Day public holiday.

They are from COSAT high school in Khayeltisha, one of the largest informal settlements in South Africa, where Gen Pagpa has been giving weekly meditation sessions for the last five years.

Tushita KMC has 30 committed teenage students who regularly attend classes, many of whom will be attending the fourth annual retreat camp in November.