The New Kadampa Tradition ~ International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is an association of over 1200 Buddhist Centers and groups that derive their inspiration and guidance from the example of the ancient Kadampa Buddhist Masters and their teachings, as founded in the modern world by Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
The aim of the NKT is to present practical tools from Kadampa Buddhism that can help people of all backgrounds solve their problems and find happiness. As Geshe Kelsang says:
Our intention in teaching Dharma is not just to spread Buddhism. We are trying to help the people of this world by giving them special methods to solve their daily problems and to achieve the permanent happiness of liberation. In itself, the flourishing of Buddhadharma is not important unless it benefits others. This is the main purpose of Buddhism.
Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (982-1054 CE). “Ka” refers to Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings, and “dam” to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions known as “the stages of the path to enlightenment”. By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha’s teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating this into their everyday lives, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming their daily activities into the path to enlightenment, improving their love, compassion, and wisdom to help themselves and the world. The Kadampa tradition was later promoted widely in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who were known as the “New Kadampas”.
For more information, see www.kadampa.org or one of the numerous local Center websites.
The NKT-IKBU has been successful at bringing Buddha’s teachings to the modern world, and these teachings have positively affected the lives of many people. There is a good deal of positive local press around the many Centers worldwide.
(Pictured: a recent NKT event (Sept 2023) in Mexico City.)
