Kadampa Buddhism

Kadampa Buddhism is a school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by the great Indian Buddhist master Atisha (982–1054). Those who follow this school are known as ‘Kadampas’. ‘Ka’ means ‘word’ and refers to the teachings of the Buddha, whilst ‘dam’ refers to the specific instructions of Atisha’s Lamrim, known as ‘the stages of the path to enlightenment’. It is by integrating their knowledge of all the Buddha’s teachings into the practice of the Lamrim – which they apply in their daily lives – that Kadampa Buddhists are able to use the Buddha’s teachings to transform their everyday activities into the path to enlightenment.

The Buddha’s teachings enable us to transform the ‘raw materials’ of our everyday life into an extraordinary inner journey towards the awakening of a Buddha. Thus, through the practice of meditation, it is possible to transform both our pleasures and our problems into means of realising our potential.

Kadampa Buddhism was first introduced to the West in 1977 by the renowned Buddhist master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Since then, he has been tireless in his efforts to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world, giving detailed teachings, writing numerous texts that reveal the depth of Kadampa Buddhism, and founding the New Kadampa Tradition – the International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), which today comprises more than 1,200 Kadampa centres and branches worldwide.

Kadampa Buddhism is therefore an approach to Buddhism that emphasises the integration of the teachings into one’s life with purity and sincerity, in order to cultivate genuine happiness and inner peace.

Each of these centres offers study programmes based on Buddhist psychology, philosophy and meditation, as well as retreats, for practitioners of all levels. Particular emphasis is placed on putting the Buddha’s teachings into practice in everyday life, so that, throughout the world, our daily problems may be resolved and everyone may experience lasting peace and happiness.

Kadampa Buddhism of the NKT-IKBU is a completely independent Buddhist tradition with no political affiliation. It is an association of Buddhist centres and practitioners who draw inspiration from the example set by the ancient Kadampa Buddhist masters and follow their teachings, as presented by Geshe Kelsang.