About Kadampa Buddhism
Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054). The main practice of a Mahayana Buddhist is to reduce selfish intention to benefit others.
Attisha's followers are known as 'Kadampas'. 'Ka' means 'word' and refers directly to Buddha's teachings, and 'dam' refers to Atisha's special compilations and condensation of Buddha's Lamrim instructions known as 'the stages of the path to enlightenment'.
The Kadampa tradition was later made widely known in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who came to be known as the 'New Kadampas'.
By integrating our knowledge and understanding of Buddha's teachings into our everyday lives, and thus 'transforming' our daily activities into our spiritual path,
Kadampa Buddhists use Buddha's Lamrim teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to freedom and enlightenment.
Kadampa Buddhism in the West
Kadampa Buddhism was first introduced into the West in 1977 by the renowned Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso .
Since that time he 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(NKT-IKBU)
Lineage
The lineage of these teachings, both their oral transmission and blessings, have been passed from Teacher to disciple in an unbroken lineage of scripture and realisation and carry with them what is know as "lineage blessings". Receiving 'oral transmission' of these teachings from an authentic Kadampa Buddhist teacher causes our mind to become very blessed.
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 presentation of Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage blessings of realised practitioners.
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