Kadampa Meditation Centre Fraser Valley

Kadampa Meditation Centre Fraser Valley is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to create peace and harmony in our world.

We teach meditation which is a simple, natural and effective way to overcome stress, improve our health and find inner peace. Everyone without exception is always welcome to our classes and courses.

We teach modern Buddhism, a presentation of Buddha’s teachings that is particularly suited to modern society. You can find out more about modern Kadampa Buddhism by scrolling further down this page.

We are based in Abbotsford and teach throughout the Fraser Valley, in South Surrey and in Salmon Arm. Everybody is welcome to the courses and classes that you will find throughout this website.

We are a member of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

FOUNDER

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher.

He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.

Today, the legacy of his life’s work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.

GENERAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

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 Kadampa Meditation Centre , the Mother Centre of Kadampa Buddhism. Gen-la has studied and practised Kadampa Buddhism for many years under the guidance of her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

As one of Venerable Geshe Kelsang’s close disciples, Gen-la Dekyong’s teachings, humour 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 throughout the world.

DEPUTY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) and Resident Teacher of International Kadampa Retreat Centre Grand Canyon. He is an American Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people solve their daily problems by developing the capacity of their mind through the practice of meditation and modern Buddhism.
Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years. Under Geshe-la’s guidance, he has taught at many Centres and events internationally. Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings, and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.

CANADIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is the NKT National Spiritual Director for Canada and the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada in Toronto. Every year he visits Western Canada to give very popular talks and teachings that are open to everyone.

A retired General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU), he has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over thirty-five years. Gen-la Khyenrab is an internationally renowned teacher and English Buddhist monk who is greatly admired for his powerful teachings as well as his pure example of humility and loving-kindness.

KADAMPA BUDDHISM

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist Tradition founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982 – 1054). ‘Ka’ refers to Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings, and ‘dam’ to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions known as ‘The stages of the path to enlightenment’. By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha’s teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating this into their everyday lives, Kadampa Buddhists learn to use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming their daily activities into the path to enlightenment by improving their love, compassion and wisdom.

After Atisha, the Kadampa lineage was passed down through a succession of great Kadampa Teachers including Dromtönpa, Geshe Potowa, Geshe Sharawa, and Geshe Chekhawa. These precious Teachers were not only great scholars but also spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity. They placed particular emphasis on the practice of Lojong or ‘Training the Mind’ by which all our daily life experiences, and especially all our problems, suffering, and difficulties, can be transformed into the spiritual path.

THE LINEAGE

The Kadampa lineage passed from generation to generation until the fourteenth century when it reached the great Buddhist Master Je Tsongkhapa. He clarified the teachings of Kadam Dharma and made them accessible to the people of that time. In particular, he showed how to combine Lamrim and Lojong with Mahamudra Tantra in a unified daily practice and his practitioners became known as ‘new Kadampas’.

The New Kadampa Tradition ~ International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is an association of over 1200 Buddhist Centres and groups that derive their inspiration from the example of the ancient Kadampa Masters and their teachings, as presented to the modern world by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

MODERN KADAMPAS

To make the precious teachings of Buddha available equally to everyone in the world Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche envisioned a Kadampa centre in every major city.

These centres offer a range of local facilities where people can receive teachings, practice meditation, meet like-minded people, acquire books and meditation supplies, enjoy dining in a World Peace Cafe and much more.

The Kadampa community is an international family, offering support, inspiration and encouragement for this joyful and profound spiritual path at Centres around the world.

There are presently hundreds of such centres and many more are planned. Read more about these Centres and new Centre projects by clicking the button below.