Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054). His followers are 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 (1357-1419) and his followers, who were known as the ‘New Kadampas'.

 

Through the activities and dedication of the renowned Buddhist Master Ven. 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 profound texts on Kadampa Buddhism, and founding the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

 

Main Kadampa Sites

•  Kadampa Buddhism

•  Kadampa Meditation Center – New York

•  Tharpa Publications

 

Midwest Kadampa Buddhist Centers

•  Akanishta Center – Madison, WI

•  Dromtonpa Center – Indianapolis, IN

•  Lamrim Center – Iowa City, IA

•  Vajrayana Buddhist Center – Chicago, IL