Teachers of Modern Buddhism

The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Geshe Kelsang has recently retired as General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU, and that responsibility has now passed to Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, who is also the Principal Resident Teacher at our Mother Center in the UK, Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang’s wish is that Buddhism may be practiced by anyone, in any culture, in any country.

To realize this wish he has trained hundreds of qualified Western teachers who are making Buddha’s teachings available to people in their own language, according to their own culture.

Every Kadampa Buddhist Center has a Resident Teacher who has either completed, or is studying on the Teacher Training Program.

This program entails the study of twelve subjects based on Geshe Kelsang’s books, various meditation retreats, and a commitment to follow the Buddhist way of life sincerely and purely.

These teachers hold the lineage blessings of Kadampa Buddhism and are able to teach all of Geshe Kelsang’s books. They are also available to give personal meditation advice.

To have such experienced and supportive teachers who can give encouragement and advice in our own language is a completely new development in Western countries.

It is one of Geshe Kelsang’s most precious gifts.