Kadampa Meditation Center Long Island is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

This is a Mahayana Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso that is derived from the Buddhist meditators and scholars Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa.

The NKT-IKBU is an association of study and meditation centers dedicated to helping people everywhere find meaning and purpose in their lives, and to the developing of genuine inner peace and happiness.

Putting Buddha’s teachings into practice in the context of our family and work commitments, we discover they are unsurpassed methods to resolve daily difficulties and problems.

Rapidly growing, our Kadampa community is an international family, offering support, inspiration and encouragement for this joyful and profound spiritual path at centres around the world.

Our Founder

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

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Keeping a Happy Mind

What is Wisdom?

The Old Kadampa Lineage Up to the Present

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054).

His followers were known as ‘Kadampas.’ Ka refers to Buddha’s teachings, and dam to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions known as ‘the stages of the path to enlightenment.’ Kadampas, then, are practitioners who regard Buddha’s teachings as personal instructions and put them into practice by following the instructions of Lamrim.

The Kadampa tradition was later promoted widely in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who were known as the ‘New Kadampas.’

Transforming Daily Activities into the Path

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 daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

The great Kadampa Teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity.

Lineage

The lineage of these teachings, both their oral transmission and blessings, was then passed from Teacher to disciple, spreading throughout much of Asia, and now to many countries throughout the western world.

Buddha’s teachings, which are known as ‘Dharma,’ are likened to a wheel that moves from country to country in accordance with changing conditions and people’s karmic inclinations.

The external forms of presenting Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage of realized practitioners.

Modern Kadampa Buddhism

Through the activities and dedication of the renowned Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Buddhism has spread to many countries in recent years.

Geshe Kelsang has worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many books on Kadampa Buddhism, establishing the International Temples Project and founding the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

A Beautiful Gift for Future Generations

“A Temple is one of the best ways of benefiting other living beings – it is the best form of public service.”

                                    – Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The International Temples Project was founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso with the vision to create a Kadampa Buddhist Temple in every major city in the world.

Its aim is to introduce the Buddhist Faith of the New Kadampa Tradition publicly and in particular to exemplify Buddhist practice through public service.

Pure Lands in Our Troubled World

Kadampa Buddhist Temples take many forms.

Some are custom built according to a special design developed by Geshe Kelsang based on traditional Buddhist architecture, such as the Mother Temple at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England and the Temples in New York and São Paulo.

Others are adapted from existing buildings acquired for Kadampa Meditation Centers around the world, such as the Temples in Toronto, Le Mans, Berlin, Zurich, Texas, and Melbourne.

Whatever form they take, Kadampa Temples are holy places open to everyone to enjoy. They are Pure Lands in our troubled world – offering doorways to inner peace for all who visit them.

“Whenever anyone, Buddhist or not, sees a Temple or an image of Buddha they receive blessings.”

                               – Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

For more information about the International Temples Project, including ways you can help, visit kadampatemples.org.