Kadampa Buddhism

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054).

In the word, ‘Kadampa’, ‘Ka’ refers to Buddha’s teachings, and ‘dam’ to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions. Kadampas, then, are practitioners who regard Buddha’s teachings as personal instructions and put them into practice by following the instructions of Lamrim.

By integrating their understanding of all Buddha’s teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating their experience of Lamrim into their everyday lives, Kadampas use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

For more information, please visit kadampa.org.

Geshe Kelsang Gyasto - Founder and Spiritual Director of the NKT

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (affectionately known to his students as "Geshe-la") is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of eight and spent almost 40 years in concentrated study and meditation.

Since arriving in the West in 1977, he has worked selflessly to provide all the conditions we need to enter, make progress upon, and complete the Buddhist path to lasting happiness and peace.

In his teachings Geshe-la emphasizes the importance of applying Buddha's advice in daily life: looking for true happiness within ourselves and not in the external world, and cultivating wisdom and a good heart, so that we may effectively help others - qualities that he perfectly shows in his own life. Because he teaches by example, Geshe-la inspires many people from all around the world.

Gen Kelsang Khedrub - Resident Teacher KMC Washington

Gen Kelsang Khedrub, a Western Buddhist monk, has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s guidance for many years. His heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through his kindness, humility and deep understanding of Buddhist teachings, Gen Khedrub provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner that we can follow.

Gen Khedrub visits Anchorage on a regular basis to teach.