New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union

Founder:

VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE

Founder:

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher. He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. Today, the legacy of his life's work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.

Read about Venerable Geshe-la's life

"The day will come when you will do my job."
VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE

Working for world peace

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche devoted his entire life to making the pure teachings of Buddha available in a modern form to people throughout the world.

Now Venerable Geshe-la's followers holding him at their hearts continue his work with auspicious projects in every region of the world.

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New App Launched

Kadampa Podcasts: Living Clarity

Kadampa Blogs: My Living Meditation

How I Learned to Let go of Stress

Shared Wisdom, Shared Strength : The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth

Relief from anxiety

Instead of seeing potholes I see the kindness in between

Dealing with the Fear of Surgery

Alcohol was destroying my life; meditation healed it

Why I like to meditate on death

Letting go of overwhelming anxiety

The Spotlight: featured stories and updates

NKT - KMC MEXICO - 2026 Edit image to kadampa page

Connecting with Buddha Shakyamuni

26 Jun 2026

Three special events took place recently: the blessing empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni in Mexico City; Buxton in the UK; and Calgary in Canada. These empowerments offered a precious opportunity to connect with the wisdom and blessings of Buddha Shakyamuni, awaken our inner potential for lasting happiness, and deepen our spiritual practice.

NKT-IKBU - KMC BARCELONA - KADAMPA SPAIN Copia de DSC00820

Creating Peace Together: Outdoor Meditation Events in Spain and Canada

25 Jun 2026

Across Spain and Canada, Kadampa communities gathered outdoors to share meditation, prayer, and meaningful time together in natural surroundings. From beaches and mountains to parks and lakesides, these inspiring events brought newcomers and experienced practitioners together to cultivate inner peace, strengthen community connections, and create the causes for world peace.

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Receiving Empowerments, Deepening Faith

24 Jun 2026

Blessing empowerments were given at KMC Paris with Gen Tonpa and KMC Colorado in US with Gen Gomlam. It is only through the blessings of the Buddhas at events such as these that we are able to truly benefit others and help them discover real, lasting happiness.

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Visiting Teachers in Europe and the USA

23 Jun 2026

Inspiring talks and courses in Darlington (UK), Madison and Connecticut (USA), and Metz (France)

Creating opportunities to meet Dharma

22 Jun 2026

Through a variety of inspiring activities, KMC Spain, IKRC Grand Canyon, KMC Arizona and KMC Munich created opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with Buddha’s teachings.

More features & updates

Project Updates

Collected works

Book Fairs In Spain

Every year, Tharpa Spain collaborates with Kadampa Centres throughout Spain to organize book fairs, and more centers join this wonderful initiative each year. In Spring we organized fairs in the cities of Málaga, Granada, Alicante, Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona and Ibiza, and a few more cities will join in Fall.

Festivals & Celebrations

Be Ready!: Booking for the Fall Festival 2026 opens Tomorrow

Booking Opens Tomorrow – Thursday 18 June at 13:00 (UK Time)

Festivals & Celebrations

Booking for the Fall Festival 2026 opens 4 days

Booking for the International Kadampa Fall Festival opens Thursday 18 June – 13:00 UK Time

Jul 24 – Aug 8 NKT-IKBU International Summer Festival, UK
Sep 4 – 7 Swiss Dharma Celebration
Sep 4 – 7 UK Dharma Celebration
Sep 4 – 7 Northeast US Dharma Celebration
Sep 4 – 7 Southwest US Dharma Celebration
Sep 11 – 13 Southern German Dharma Celebration
Sep 18 – 20 Colombian Dharma Celebration

Sep 25 – 27 Peruvian Dharma Celebration
Oct 9 – 15 NKT-IKBU International Fall Festival
Nov 6 – 8 Western Canadian Dharma Celebration
Nov 6 – 8 Chilean Festival
Nov 12 – 15 Austrian Dharma Celebration
Nov 13 – 15 Quebec Dharma Celebration
Nov 13 – 15 Portuguese Dharma Celebration
Nov 13 – 15 Argentinian Festival
Nov 13 – 16 Mexican Dharma Celebration
Nov 20 – 22 Ontario Dharma Celebration
Nov 20 – 22 Brazilian Festival
Nov 20 – 24 German Festival
Nov 20 – 23 Nordic Dharma Celebration
Nov 27 – 30 French Dharma Celebration
Dec 4 – 6 Californian Dharma Celebration
Dec 4 – 8 Spanish Dharma Celebration
Dec 11 – 14 Asian Festival
Dec 11 – 13 Welsh Dharma Celebration
Jan 1 – 6 Australian Festival
Jan 8 – 11 New Zealand Festival

Where to start

Download FREE eBooks on Modern Buddhism

Find a local center

Find a Meditation Center

Download Kadampa Buddhism Worldwide Brochure 2026

INTENSIVE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME

How to apply

Words of Wisdom & Compassion

Daily quote from the collected works of Venerable Geshe-la

By practising conscientiousness we keep our mind pure and harnessed to virtuous objects, and so our energy is not dissipated by external or internal distractions. As a result our mind becomes settled and gathered within, making it easy for us to develop virtuous concentration. Virtuous concentration makes our mind lucid and powerful, which in turn enables us to improve our wisdom.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche,
How to Understand the Mind