Kelsang Gyatso

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File:Kadampa Temple for World Peace Spain.jpg

6th Kadampa Temple, based on the design of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and dedicated to World Peace. Inaugurated June 2022

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Template:Bo; 4 June 1931 – 17 September 2022) was a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, scholar, and author.<ref>Smith, Jean (1999). Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teachings and Texts. New York: Riverhead Books. p. 324.</ref> He was the founder and spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union (Function), a registered non-profit, modern Buddhist organization that came out of the Gelugpa school/lineage. They have 1,300 centres around the world, including temples, city temples and retreat centres that offer an accessible approach to ancient wisdom.<ref name="KadampaCentres">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Life and education in Tibet

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was born on July 19th, 1931, in Yangcho Tang, Western Tibet and named Lobsang Chuponpa. At eight years old, he joined Ngamring Jampa Ling Monastery where he was ordained as a novice monk and given the monastic name "Kelsang Gyatso" meaning "Ocean of Good Fortune".Template:Refn He "went on to study at Sera, one of the great monasteries of Tibet’s dominant Gelug school. He was trained in the traditional method of intense scholastic study and debate, and he studied for a geshe degree, an advanced distinction in Buddhist scholarship."<ref name="theguardian.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>

Leaving Tibet and life in India

After escaping to India via Nepal during the Tibetan exodus in 1959, Kelsang Gyatso stayed at the monastic study centre established at Buxa Fort in West Bengal, India. All he brought with him were two Buddhist scriptures — Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life and a text by Je Tsongkhapa. In 1971, the Indian Government donated large tracts of land in South India to the community in exile, where separate monasteries were established.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At this time, Kelsang Gyatso left the monastery at Buxa for Mussoorie (a hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand) where he taught and engaged in intensive meditation retreat for sixteen years.<ref>Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University . p. 230.</ref> At that time Kelsang Gyatso was, as David Kay puts it, "by all accounts, a very well respected scholar and meditator" within the Tibetan exile community.<ref name="Kay, David 2004 p. 56">Kay, David (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 56.</ref> He spent much of his time in India in retreat: "over the next two decades he spent long periods in retreat in the Himalayan foothills."<ref name="theguardian.com"/>

Journey to the West

In 1976, at the suggestion of the Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso was invited by Lama Thubten Yeshe through their mutual spiritual guide Trijang Rinpoche to become the resident teacher at the main FPMT center, Manjushri Institute in Ulverston, Cumbria in England.<ref name="Bluck2006">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp In 1991, following a three-year retreat in Tharpaland, Dumfries, he founded the NKT-IKBU . He retired as General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU in August 2009 but continued to write books and practice materials.<ref name="theguardian.com"/>

Lama Yeshe's decision to invite his former classmate<ref name="Waterhouse1997">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp to be Resident Teacher at the FPMT's Manjushri Institute in England was advised by the Dalai Lama.<ref name="Kay, David 2004 p. 56"/> He arrived in August 1977 and gave his first teaching on Lamrim on September 10.<ref>Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 225, 230.</ref>

Under Kelsang Gyatso's spiritual direction, Manjushri Institute "became a thriving training and retreat center."<ref>Cresswell, Jamie. "Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition" entry in Melton, J. Gordon, and Martin Baumann. 2002. Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. p. 508.</ref> Kelsang Gyatso taught the General Program at Manjushri from 1977 to 1987.<ref>Kay, D. N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, development and adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. pp. 56, 73.</ref> At that time, the Geshe studies programme was taught by Jampa Tekchok and then Konchog Tsewang (1982–1990). (In 1990 the Geshe Studies Programme at Manjushri Institute was cancelled, as it had been in most of the other FPMT Centres where it had been established.<ref>Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 226. </ref>)

On October 13, 1983, Kelsang Gyatso became a naturalized British citizen.<ref>Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 230.</ref>

Establishing Buddhist centres

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In 1979, Kelsang Gyatso opened a Buddhist teaching centre (Madhyamaka Centre in Yorkshire) under the spiritual direction of his teacher H.E. Trijang Rinpoche. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was given permission to update the presentation of the dharma (teachings of Buddhism) to be clear and accessible to western students.Template:Citation needed

In 1987, Kelsang Gyatso entered a 3-year retreat at Tharpaland International Retreat Centre in Dumfries, Scotland. During his retreat, he wrote five books and established the foundations of the NKT-IKBU.<ref name="Bluck2006" /> Template:Rp After completing his retreat in the early months of 1991, Kelsang Gyatso announced the creation of the NKT-IKBU, an event which was celebrated by his students in the NKT-IKBU magazine Full Moon as "a wonderful development in the history of the Buddhadharma."<ref>Kay, D. N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, development and adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 78.</ref> Since that time, the NKT-IKBU has grown to comprise 1,300 centres worldwide, most principally study and meditation centers, some principally retreat centers, and six traditional-style Temples for World Peace.

Kelsang Gyatso's teachings have a practical emphasis on teachings based on Lamrim, Lojong and Mahamudra.

Waterhouse commented that, "He teaches in English with a strong Tibetan accent. He is an endearing character to look at; petite with slightly downcast eyes which look about him as he walks or teaches his devoted students."<ref name="Waterhouse1997" />Template:Rp Spanswick observes that, "many of those who hear him speak are struck by his wisdom and sincerity."<ref>Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (8:32-8:56)</ref>

At the heart of the NKT-IKBU are its three study programs: the General Program, the Foundation Program, and the Teacher Training Program.

According to the NKT-IKBU, it "seeks not to offer a westernized form of Buddhism, but rather to make traditional Gelugpa Buddhism accessible to westerners."<ref>Partridge, C. H. (2004). New religions: A guide : new religious movements, sects, and alternative spiritualities. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 205.</ref> To achieve this, Kelsang Gyatso taught himself English.

Emphasis on lineage

Kay says that NKT-IKBU practitioners practice their tradition exclusively, "eschewing eclecticism."<ref>Kay, David (1997). The New Kadampa Tradition and the Continuity of Tibetan Buddhism in Transition, Journal of Contemporary Religion 12:3 (October 1997), p. 286.</ref> Kelsang Gyatso's "conservative and traditional presentation of Buddhism" is appealing to Westerners who "wish for a meaningful alternative to spiritual pluralism."<ref name="Bluck2006" /> Template:Rp According to Kelsang Gyatso in Understanding the Mind:

Every Teacher and every tradition has a slightly different approach and employs different methods. The practices taught by one Teacher will differ from those taught by another, and if we try to combine them we shall become confused, develop doubts, and lose direction. If we try to create a synthesis of different traditions we shall destroy the special power of each and be left only with a mishmash of our own making that will be a source of confusion and doubt.<ref>Kelsang Gyatso. (2002). Understanding the mind: Lorig, an explanation of the nature and functions of the mind. Ulverston, Eng: Tharpa Publications. pp. 161-162.</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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Therefore, Kelsang Gyatso taught in Great Treasury of Merit that the most effective way to progress spiritually is by "following one tradition purely — relying upon one Teacher, practicing only his teachings, and following his Dharma Protector. If we mix traditions many obstacles arise and it takes a long time for us to attain realizations."<ref>Kelsang Gyatso. (1992). Great Treasury of Merit: How to rely upon a Spiritual Guide. Ulverston, U.K.: Tharpa Publications. p. 31.</ref>

Geshe Kelsang was known as an exponent of Dorje Shugden practices, which brought him into conflict with the Tibetan political establishment."<ref name="Kay, David 2004 p. 101-2">Kay, David (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 101-2.</ref>

In 1996, he was accused of flagrant defamation of the Dalai Lama, which led to his expulsion from Sera Je Monastic University in India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Ordination of Westerners

The new Kadampa tradition provides a modern supportive environment for those who sincerely wish to take their devotion to Buddhism deeper by becoming ordained.

Development of Western Dharma teachers

Kelsang Gyatso founded the New Kadampa Tradition "to bring pure Buddhist teachings to the west,"<ref>Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (5:49-5:58)</ref> where he would train equally four types of teacher: monks, nuns, lay men and lay women.<ref>Waterhouse, Helen (2001). Representing western Buddhism: a United Kingdom focus. quoted in Beckerlegge, G. (2001). From sacred text to internet. Religion today, v. 1. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. p. 139. </ref> NKT-IKBU Dharma Centres are mixed communities of lay and ordained practitioners who are all on the same teaching programs. He also promoted the development of local teachers in their own language.<ref>Wishfulfilling Jewels for Dharma Practitioners: The Benefits of the Foundation and Teacher Training Programs by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. 1990-10-??. retrieved 2009-03-12.</ref> This is a departure from most Tibetan Buddhist Centres where monastics take precedence over lay people, monks take precedence over nuns, and Tibetans take precedence over Westerners.

In a teaching called Training as a Qualified Dharma Teacher, Kelsang Gyatso explained where the teachers of the NKT-IKBU come from:

We need qualified Teachers. The New Kadampa Tradition cannot buy qualified Teachers, nor can we invite them from outside. We need Teachers who can teach the twelve texts that we have chosen as our objects of study in the Teacher Training Programme and the Foundation Programme. Other Teachers cannot teach these books because they have not studied them and they do not have the transmissions. Therefore, qualified Teachers within the

New Kadampa Tradition can come only from our own students.<ref>Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (1992). Training as a Qualified Dharma Teacher, quoted in Religion Today: A Reader, edited by Susan Mumm, p. 43.</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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Retirement

In August 2009, he voluntarily stepped down as General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, in a democratic system of succession that he established in the NKT-IKBU's "Internal Rules".<ref>A Moral Discipline Guide: The Internal Rules of the New Kadampa Tradition — International Kadampa Buddhist Union, Section 5§2, retrieved 2010-03-10.</ref>

Kelsang Gyatso engaged in meditation retreat and continued to write Dharma books to preserve and promote the Kadampa Buddhism of Je Tsongkhapa, in accordance with the instructions of Trijang Rinpoche.<ref>Waterhouse, Helen (2001). Representing western Buddhism: a United Kingdom focus. quoted in Beckerlegge, G. (2001). From sacred text to internet. Religion today, v. 1. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. pp. 140, 142.</ref> According to Richard Spanswick, "Since taking up residence at Conishead Priory, Kelsang has been working to produce a complete set of instructions for westerners wishing to set out on the path to enlightenment."<ref>Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (9:40-9:57)</ref> Continuing this task, a new book entitled Modern Buddhism: The Path of Wisdom and Compassion was released in January 2010, and its oral transmission was given by Kelsang Gyatso at the Fall 2010 NKT-IKBU Festival.<ref>Kadampa Buddhist Festivals and Celebrations, retrieved 2010-03-09.</ref>

Kelsang Gyatso did not made any public appearances between October 2013 and his death in September 2022. The NKT stated he was "in strict retreat".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Death

On 19 September 2022, the NKT announced the death of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche (which occurred two days before) via their website and social media. Their statement reads:

"On September 17 our most precious Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche showed the manner of passing peacefully into the clear light."<ref>NKT-IKBU statement (2022) "Important Announcement

VENERABLE GESHE KELSANG GYATSO RINPOCHE" quoted in [1]</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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The community of Kechara Forest Retreat and visiting sangha from Shar Gaden, Serpom, Phelgyeling and Segyu monasteries offered a Lama Chopa puja and many candle offerings dedicated for Ven. Geshe-la's swift return: "Having established the New Kadampa Tradition, Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was the spiritual father to tens of thousands around the world. A true Kadampa master, Geshe-la dedicated his entire life to upholding the pure traditions of Je Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden, and his contribution to the lineage was unparalleled in recent times."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bibliography

• The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) Template:ISBN
• Buddhism in the Tibetan Tradition: A Guide, Routledge & Kegan Paul (1984) Template:ISBN, (Library Edition 2008) Template:ISBN
• Clear Light of Bliss: Tantric Meditation Manual, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1992) Template:ISBN
• Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness, Tharpa Publications (2000) Template:ISBN
• Essence of Vajrayana: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, Tharpa Publications (1997) Template:ISBN
• Great Treasury of Merit: How to Rely Upon a Spiritual Guide, Tharpa Publications (1992) Template:ISBN
• Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1996) Template:ISBN
• Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: How to Enjoy a Life of Great Meaning and Altruism, a translation of Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara with Neil Elliott, Tharpa Publications (2002) Template:ISBN
• Heart Jewel: The Essential Practices of Kadampa Buddhism, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997) Template:ISBN
• The New Heart of Wisdom: Profound Teachings from Buddha's Heart, Tharpa Publications (5th. ed., 2012) Template:ISBN
• How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, Tharpa Publications (2005, US ed., 2007) Template:ISBN
• Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 2001, US ed. 2008) Template:ISBN
• Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) Template:ISBN
• Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully: The Profound Practice of Transference of Consciousness, Tharpa Publications (1999) Template:ISBN
• Mahamudra Tantra: The Supreme Heart Jewel Nectar, Tharpa Publications (2005) Template:ISBN
• Meaningful to Behold: The Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (5th. ed., 2008) Template:ISBN
• The Mirror of Dharma: How to Find the Real Meaning of Human Life, Tharpa Publications (2018)
• Modern Buddhism: The Path of Wisdom and Compassion, Tharpa Publications (2010) Template:ISBN
• The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful, Tharpa Publications (2003) Template:ISBN
• Ocean of Nectar: The True Nature of All Things, Tharpa Publications (1995) Template:ISBN
• The Oral Instructions of the Mahamudra, Tharpa Publications (2015) Template:ISBN
• Tantric Grounds and Paths: How to Enter, Progress on, and Complete the Vajrayana Path, Tharpa Publications (1994) Template:ISBN
• Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey, Tharpa Publications (2001, US ed. 2007) Template:ISBN
• Understanding the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997) Template:ISBN
• Universal Compassion: Inspiring Solutions for Difficult Times, Tharpa Publications (4th. ed., 2002) Template:ISBN

Further reading

• Template:Cite journal – a review of Ocean of Nectar: Wisdom and Compassion in Mahāyāna Buddhism by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
• Template:Cite thesis

External links

• NKT-IKBU official website
• Tharpa Publications — The publisher of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's books
• Modern Buddhism The Path of Compassion and Wisdom — Free eBook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• New Kadampa Truth — Responding to criticism of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• Template:Usurped Writing and discussion critical of the New Kadampa movement by ex-members. There is a similarly named "New Kadampa Truth" with response to this criticism.

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