A humble monk, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
was invited to England in 1977 to teach Buddhist meditation and has since established three unique study programs and over 1000 meditation centers around the world
Our Teachers
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Founder and First Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism. Geshe-la, as he is affectionately called by his students, is primarily responsible for the worldwide revival of Kadampa Buddhism in our time.
Study and retreat
From the age of eight Geshe-la studied extensively in the great monastic universities of Tibet and earned the title Geshe, which literally means spiritual friend. Under the guidance of Trijang Rinpoche, his Spiritual Guide, he then spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas.
Teaching in the West
In 1977 he accepted an invitation to teach at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England, where he lived for many years giving teachings and guidance to an ever-growing group of disciples.
Geshe-la has continued to teach on Kadampa Buddhism in many countries around the world, and published a series of remarkable books on Buddhist thought and meditation.
He has established three unique study programs and over 1000 meditation centers around the world, trained qualified teachers and a flourishing ordained community, and created a project to build Buddhist temples in every major city in the world.
Teaching from example
In his teachings Geshe Kelsang emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, the need to be truly happy, and how to cultivate a good heart to help others, and he demonstrates these qualities perfectly in his own life.
This remarkable teacher inspires so many people from so many different countries because he teaches from example.
He is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people throughout the world find true happiness in their hearts.
General Spiritual Director
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).
Gen-la Jampa is an internationally renowned, ordained Buddhist teacher and Resident Teacher at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center.
As a senior NKT teacher, Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and under Geshe-la’s guidance has taught at many centers and events around the world.
Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.
Deputy Spiritual Director
Gen-la Kelsang Sangden
is the Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU, and is the National Spiritual Director of Kadampa Buddhism in Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and Peru, and the Resident Teacher at KMC Mexico.
She is admired by many for her good example and her loving and clear advice. She has practised and taught Kadampa Buddhism for over 25 years.
Western US National Spiritual Director
Gen Kelsang Gomlam
is an American Buddhist nun and the US Western National Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition. She is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Colorado, and has been studying, practicing and teaching Kadam Dharma for many years. Gen Gomlam’s heartfelt and practical teachings are presented with warmth and humor, making them accessible to everyone. Through her loving kindness, sincere concern for others, and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings, Gen Gomlam provides an inspiring example of someone who has taken Buddha’s teachings to heart.
Our Resident Teacher
Kadam Rebecca Gauthier
is a Western lay practitioner who has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s guidance for over thirty years. Her heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through her kindness, humility and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings, Kadam Rebecca provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner we can follow.
Local Teachers
David Clark
Dave has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe-la since 1996. He is a long-time resident of Santa Barbara who met Geshe-la in Santa Barbara. He teaches the Lamrim cycle Monday evenings.
Michelle Clark
Michelle Clark, a western lay practioner, has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for over 18 years. Her heartfelt, deeply insightful teachings are presented with clarity that makes them accessible to everyone.
