General Spiritual Director
Finding Refuge in Buddhist Teachings
Apr 9, 2024
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
Centers
Finding Refuge in Buddhist Teachings
At the end of March, KMC New York City welcomed over 150 participants for their special event, the Refuge Vow Ceremony. On the same weekend, Kadam Dharma was taught for the first time in Punta del Este; the event was organized by the recently opened KBC Mahamudra in Uruguay.
Festivals & Celebrations
National Festivals in April 2024
Two National Festivals are taking place in April. These special events are a cherished opportunity to break from our daily problems and recharge spiritually, as well as creating causes for Dharma to grow in our countries. KMC Deuachen, in Sintra, is hosting the Portuguese National Festival on 19 – 21 April, while KMC Mexico is hosting the Mexican National Festival on 19 – 21 April 2024.
Festivals & Celebrations
NKT Day 2024 – fulfilling our Guru’s heart wish
The first Saturday of April each year is NKT Day, when we celebrate the founding of the NKT by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche in 1991. With the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union, Venerable Geshe-la has created a global community of Dharma centers that are united by a common goal, practice the same path and follow the same internal guidance. This tradition is Venerable Geshe-la’s heart.
Festivals & Celebrations
Canadian National Festival 2024 ~ with Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
A magical Canadian Festival! More than 300 people from all over Canada attended our national gathering and had the immense good fortune to receive Wisdom Buddha Je Tsongkhapa empowerment from Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition.
Festivals & Celebrations
Fall Festival 2024 booking opens today
Enter into Highest Yoga Tantra at the Fall Festival 2024, hosted by Kadampa Meditation Center Brazil. Receive unique empowerments and teachings on Heruka and Vajrayogini from Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, discovering the heart treasures of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s Ganden Oral Lineage. A pilgrimage to this holy site awaits. Visit the website for more details.
- Apr 19 – 21 Portuguese Festival
- Apr 19 – 21 Northwest US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 19 – 21 Southern England Dharma Celebration
- Apr 26 – 28 Mexican Festival
- Apr 26 – 28 Northeast US Dharma Celebration
- Apr 26 – 29 New Zealand Dharma Celebration
- May 24 – Aug 10 NKT-IKBU International Summer Festival, UK
- May 24 – 29 NKT-IKBU International Spring Festival, UK
- Jun 21 – 24 Northern Spanish Dharma Celebration
- Sep 6 – 9 Austrian, Italian & Swiss Festival
- Sep 13 – 15 Southern German Dharma Celebration
- Sep 13 – 15 Colombian Dharma Celebration
- Sep 13 – 15 Southern German Dharma Celebration
- Sep 20 – 22 UK Dharma Celebration
- Sep 20 – 25 US Festival
- Oct 25 – Nov 1 NKT-IKBU International Fall Festival
- Nov 15 – 17 South African Dharma Celebration
- Nov 15 – 17 Western Canadian Dharma Celebration
- Nov 22 – 24 Nordic Dharma Celebration
- Nov 22 – 24 Portuguese Dharma Celebration
- Nov 22 – 24 Mexican Dharma Celebration
- Nov 22 – 24 Quebec Dharma Celebration
- Nov 29 – Dec 1 Ontario Dharma Celebration
- Nov 29 – Dec 1 French Dharma Celebration
- Nov 29 – Dec 1 German Festival
- Dec 5 – 9 Spanish Dharma Celebration
- Dec 13 – 16 Asian Festival
Where to start
Download FREE eBooks on Modern Buddhism
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Words of Wisdom & Compassion
Daily quote from the collected works of Venerable Geshe-la
We should try to acquire a real taste for Dharma now, while we have the opportunity. As we familiarize ourselves with Dharma, we will discover many ways of finding pure happiness. We can experience happiness through meditation and wisdom, and by keeping moral discipline we can attain a special happiness that comes from a healthy body and mind. By enjoying the bliss of pure concentration, we can experience supreme and lasting happiness, no matter how difficult external conditions may be.
Universal Compassion