Modern Kadampa Buddhism
Our Founder
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU) and a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism. In his teachings, he emphasizes the importance of meditation and explains how to apply it in daily life, be truly happy and cultivate a good heart. He demonstrated these qualities perfectly in his own life.
Geshe Kelsang has founded over 1200 centres and groups around the world, created three unique study programmes, trained hundreds of qualified teachers and established a flourishing ordained community. He has inspired a project to build Buddhist Temples for world peace in every major city in the world, published 23 highly acclaimed books on Buddhism and meditation and established an international teaching program.
All of this activity is united within the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), an entirely independent Buddhist tradition with no political affiliations. The NKT-IKBU has a presence in over 30 countries across five continents.
Our General Spiritual Director
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, the General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and Principal Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC, is a modern Buddhist nun dedicated to helping people from all walks of life attain lasting happiness through developing inner mental peace.
She has been a dedicated close disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for forty years, during which time she has inspired thousands of people around the world through her sincere reliance on her Spiritual Guide, taking his teachings to heart and putting them into practice in every aspect of her life.
A Living Tradition
The NKT follows the pure tradition of Mahayana Buddhism handed down in an unbroken lineage from Buddha Shakyamuni through the ancient Kadampa teachers Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa and introduced into modern societies by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
Our National Spiritual Director
Kadam Bridget Heyes is the UK National Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition and Resident Teacher of Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in Northamptonshire. She is a senior disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and has been practising for over 30 years. Kadam Bridget is known for her powerful teachings, compassionate heart and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings. She has special insight into how to bring meditation alive to meet the demands of busy modern life.
