What is Buddhism?

Buddhism is the practice of the Buddha's teachings, also called Dharma, a Sanskrit term meaning 'protection'. Through the practice of the Buddha's teachings, sentient beings can permanently protect themselves from suffering. The founder of Buddhism is Shakyamuni Buddha, who in 598 BCE demonstrated how to achieve the ultimate goal of sentient beings, enlightenment, in Bodh Gaya, India.

The teachings have a timeless and universal relevance and can be practiced by anyone in any culture regardless of race, gender, or age.

What is Kadampa Buddhism?

Kadampa Buddhism is a school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by the great Indian Buddhist master Atisha (982-1054). "Ka" refers to the teachings of the Buddha and "dam" to the special instructions of the Lamrim, known as "the stages of the path to enlightenment.".

Kadampas learn to use the Buddha's teachings as practical methods to transform all their daily activities on the path to enlightenment. The Kadampa tradition was later promoted throughout Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, known as the New Kadampas, who were not only great scholars but also spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity.

More about Kadampa Buddhism here

Protection from problems

By practicing the Buddha's teachings, or Dharma, we protect ourselves from suffering and problems. All the problems we have in our daily lives arise from confusion, and the method for eliminating it is the practice of Dharma.

Practicing Dharma is the supreme method for improving the quality of our human life because it does not depend on external development or material progress, but on the internal development of peace and happiness.

Unbroken lineage

The Buddha first gave his teachings more than 2,500 years ago. Since then, they have remained pure and have been passed down from teacher to disciple in an unbroken lineage to this day. Thanks to the kindness of these teachers of the past, we have the opportunity to hear and practice the very same Dharma that the Buddha originally taught.

 

Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism who demonstrated the attainment of complete enlightenment and how to awaken from the sleep of ignorance and cyclical rebirth (samsara). The Buddha transmitted the teachings, or Dharma, in an unbroken lineage through the Kadampa masters Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa.

Atisha

The great Indian Buddhist master Atisha (982-1054 CE) reintroduced pure Buddhism to Tibet. He was asked to present a Dharma that everyone could follow and to show how all the paths of sutra and tantra could be practiced in unity. Atisha composed 'The Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment,' the first written text of the Lamrim, which served as the basis for all subsequent Lamrim instructions.

Yhe Tsongkhapa

Je Tsongkhapa was a great Tibetan Buddhist master of the 14th century who spread and developed the Kadampa Buddhism that Atisha had introduced three centuries earlier. His disciples became known as the 'New Kadampas,' and to this day, 'New Kadampas' around the world study his teachings and strive to follow his pure example.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

The Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a fully realized meditation master, a renowned master of Buddhism, and the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU).

Geshela, as his students affectionately call him, is responsible for the worldwide spread of Kadampa Buddhism today.

From the age of eight, Geshe-la studied extensively at the great monastic universities of Tibet and earned the title of Geshe, meaning spiritual friend. Under the guidance of his spiritual mentor, Triyhang Rinpoche, he spent eighteen years in meditation retreats at the foot of the Himalayas.

He has published a series of books exceptional resources on Buddhism and meditation, from basic introductions to advanced texts on Buddhist philosophy.

Geshela has designed three special study programs and established centers and groups in various cities around the world. He has trained hundreds of qualified teachers and created a thriving community of monks and nuns.

He has also designed a project to build Buddhist temples in the world's most important cities.

In his teachings, Geshe Kelsang reveals practical methods for acquiring wisdom, cultivating a good heart, and maintaining a peaceful mind, thereby finding true and lasting happiness. He exemplifies these qualities through his own actions and has dedicated his life to helping others find their happiness and inner peace.

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

General spiritual director of the NKT-IKBU, resident teacher of the Manjushri KMC and teacher of the Special Teacher Training Program.

Guenla Dekyong has been a student of the venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than
thirty-five years old and has been sincerely trained
Under her guidance in all aspects of the Dharma kadam, Guenla is recognized as a master.
fully qualified Dharma teacher of both sutra
like tantra.