Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Founder and spiritual leader of theNKT-IKBU
The Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a fully realized meditation master and internationally recognized teacher of Buddhism.
Geshe-la, as he is affectionately called by his students, is primarily responsible for the worldwide renewal of Kadampa Buddhism in our time.
Study and retreat
From the age of eight, Geshe-la dedicated himself to extensive studies at the great monastic universities of Tibet and earned the title “Geshe,” which literally translates as “spiritual friend.” Under the guidance of his spiritual master, Trijang Rinpoche, he spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas.
Teaching activity in the West
In 1977, he accepted an invitation to teach at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England. There he lived and taught, giving instructions and guidance to his ever-growing student body.
He has published a series of 22 highly regarded books on Buddhism and meditation.
Geshe-la has established three unique study programs and over 1,200 centers worldwide, trained qualified teachers, and fostered a flourishing community of ordained practitioners. He has also initiated a project to build Buddhist temples in every major city in the world.
Teaching by example
In his teachings, Geshe Kelsang emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, the necessity of attaining true happiness, and how to cultivate a kind heart to help others. He perfectly embodies these qualities in his own life.
This remarkable teacher inspires so many people from so many different countries because he lives by his own example. He is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people everywhere find true happiness within their own hearts.
