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It is often said that the path of Tantra is superior to the path of Sutra, but to understand why this is so we need to engage in a precise study of both Sutra and Tantra; otherwise our statements about the superiority of Tantra will be mere words. Moreover, if we do not study both … Read more

The highest of all possible human goals is the attainment of complete enlightenment, an ultimate state of peace in which all obstacles obscuring the mind have been removed and all good qualities such as wisdom, compassion, and skillful means have been fully developed. However, we cannot reach this ultimate goal merely by waiting for it; … Read more

Tharpa Publications is part of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union and an example of a modern Dharma publishing house. It is a publisher of books on Buddhism and meditation by the contemporary meditation master, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Its titles are widely acclaimed for their clarity and universal applicability. Tharpa offers something … Read more

Dharma centers are places where people can improve their understanding and experience of Buddha’s teachings through study, practice and the observance of moral discipline. There are 1400 Kadampa Buddhist centers and branches in 40 countries around the world where people can study and practice the teachings of Buddha. See the Centers section for more information

To practice Dharma means to apply Buddha’s teachings in your daily life. The purpose of this Dharma practice is to enable us to attain permanent liberation from lower rebirth. At present we are human and free from lower rebirth, but this is only a temporary and not a permanent liberation from lower rebirth. Until we … Read more

Buddha’s teachings, which are known as Dharma, are likened to a wheel that moves from country to country in accordance with changing conditions and people’s karmic inclinations. The external forms of presenting Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken … Read more

Buddhism, or Buddhadharma, is Buddha’s teachings and the inner experiences or realizations of these teachings. Buddha gave eighty-four thousand teachings. All these teachings and the inner realizations of them constitute Buddhadharma. Buddhadharma does not stay in one place but moves from one country to another. Just as gold is precious and rare, so Buddhadharma is … Read more

In Introduction to Buddhism Geshe Kelsang gives us a brief overview of Buddha’s teachings: Forty-nine days after Buddha attained enlightenment he was requested to teach. As a result of this request, Buddha rose from meditation and taught the first Wheel of Dharma. These teachings which include the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths and other … Read more

The following excerpts about the life of Buddha are taken from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book, Introduction to Buddhism: Siddhartha then made his way to a place near Bodh Gaya in India, where he found a suitable site for meditation. There he remained, emphasizing a meditation called “space-like concentration on the Dharmakaya” in which he focused … Read more

The following excerpts about the life of Buddha are taken from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book, Introduction to Buddhism: When the people of the Shakya kingdom realized that the prince intended to leave the palace they requested the king to arrange a marriage for him in the hope that this would cause him to change his … Read more