The Old Kadampa Lineage up to the present New Kadampa Tradition

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

Atisha's followers are known as "Kadampas". Ka means Buddha's teachings, and dam refers to Atisha's special Lamrim instructions which are known as "the stages of the path to enlightenment". That makes Kadampas practitioners who regard Buddha's teachings as personal instructions and put them into practice by following the instructions of Lamrim.

The Kadampa tradition was later promoted widely in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who were known as the "New Kadampas".

Je Tsongkhapa

Transforming daily activities into the path

By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha's teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating this into their daily lives, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha's teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

The great Kadampa Teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of great purity and sincerity.

Lineage

The lineage of these teachings, both the oral transmission and the blessings, were then passed from Teacher to disciple, spreading throughout much of Asia, and today to many countries throughout the eastern and the western world.

Buddha's teachings, which are known as "Dharma", are equated to a wheel that moves from country to country in accordance with changing conditions and peoples' karmic inclinations.

The external expressions of Buddhism may change as they meet with different cultures and societies, but their essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage of realized practitioners.

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

Through the activities and dedication of the renowned Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Buddhism has spread to many countries in recent years.

Geshe Kelsang has worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many books on Kadampa Buddhism, establishing the International Temples Project and founding the New Kadampa Tradition, the International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso