Leadership of the New Kadampa Tradition

Our Founder

The Founder and Spiritual Guide of MKMC, and approximately 1300 other Centers and branches in nearly 50 countries, is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, a contemporary Buddhist meditation master and world-renowned teacher and author. Geshe-la passed into the clear light in 2022.

Venerable Geshe-la’s entire life was dedicated to the development of world peace. His heart teaching is that peace in the world comes from peace in the heart, and that modern people can find this inner peace through the teachings of Buddha.

After spending his early years studying Buddha’s teachings in depth in the monasteries of Tibet, he spent the next twenty years or so in meditation retreat in the Himalayas before being invited to the West in 1977 to become the Resident Teacher at Manjushri Center in the English Lake District. Since that time he has devoted himself tirelessly to giving teachings, composing books and establishing a global infrastructure of modern Buddhist Temples and meditation centers to make the teachings of Buddha available in a modern precentation to all people, regardless of nationality, age, gender or faith.

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) and the Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC, the Mother Center of Kadampa Buddhism. Gen-la has studied and practiced Kadampa Buddhism for many years under the guidance of her Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

As one of Venerable Geshe Kelsang’s close disciples, Gen-la Dekyong’s teachings, humor and kindness exemplify the essence of the Buddhist way of life. She is a perfect example of a Kadampa Teacher. Each year, Gen-la Dekyong teaches at International Festivals, National Festivals, and Dharma Celebrations

Gen-la Jampa is an internationally renowned, ordained Buddhist teacher and the Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), and current Resident Teacher at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon.

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. Each year, Gen-la Jampa teaches at International Festivals, National Festivals, and Dharma Celebrations

Gen Kelsang Rigpa is the Western US National Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center LA and Mahamudra Kadampa Meditation Center in Hermosa Beach.

Through his clear presentation and heartfelt teachings, he is able to help students easily integrate Buddha’s timeless teachings into our modern world, in a way that makes everyday life joyful and meaningful.