There is a criticism going around that New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) students are not allowed to attend teachings from other Buddhist teachers. This is not true. They have freedom.
It is true that NKT students, if they have chosen their spiritual path, are encouraged not to mix traditions together but instead to emphasize their own practices and teachings, understanding them to present a complete path to enlightenment. However, this advice is given in the context of non-sectarianism, respecting other traditions and seeing them as also having a complete path to liberation or enlightenment. Those attending NKT classes are not told that they listen only to NKT teachers.
For example, one person wrote in early 2009:
I have practiced at both the FPMT and the NKT for over two years. Throughout that time I was in FP. My NKT Centre has known this and I’ve had frank discussions about it with all involved, including the Resident Teacher. It’s never been an issue. They have also known I took my refuge vows with the FPMT. My teacher even offered to start calling me by my refuge name (yes, you guessed it – it doesn’t have Kelsang in it). I’ve also told them that I have attended classes at the Tibetan Buddhist Society (another Gelug organisation), at Diamond Way (a Karma Kagyu school) and at The Institute of Tibetan Healing Practices (another Gelug-based group).
The NKT no longer typically invites Buddhist teachers to teach at NKT Centers. This is not out of disrespect for these teachers. In Great Treasury of Merit, Geshe Kelsang explains how it is necessary to rely upon one teacher and one tradition to attain results:
Experience shows that realizations come from deep, unchanging faith and that this faith comes from following one tradition purely – relying upon one teacher, practising only his teachings, and following his Dharma Protector. If we mix traditions many obstacles arise and it takes a long time for us to attain realizations.
This is, however, simply advice to help students make quick spiritual progress. In practice, NKT students are free to do what they want.
I’ve been a Kadampa practitioner for almost 25 years and am a Resident Teacher in the USA. The simple answer to this is that students at Kadampa centers have complete freedom to do as they choose. Developing an appreciation for others spiritual paths is a fantastic quality. Our Founder Venerable Geshe-la demonstrated this many times in his life. Quite simply there is not cult-like control in Kadampa Centers. As an individual practitioner I would rebel again this and as a teacher I would not stand by such an approach. Buddhism is about freeing our mind and I try to empower the listeners to find their own wisdom and understanding. However, tempting it may be to indulge in conspiracy theories and project onto others our own issue with authority figures and the like, there is no control from some higher level within our organization. It is antithetical to Buddhist practice to control others. What we try to do as individuals is work on gaining control over our own mind and that’s a big enough job. 🙂