Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche was a fully accomplished Buddhist meditation master, renowned teacher, and author. ‘Geshe-la,’ as he is affectionately called by his students, is primarily responsible for the worldwide revival of Kadampa Buddhism in the modern era. From the age of eight Geshe-la studied extensively in the monastic universities of Tibet and earned the title ‘Geshe’, which literally means ‘spiritual friend’. Under the guidance of his Spiritual Guide, Venerable Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, he then spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas. In 1977 he accepted an invitation to teach in England. Seeing that there was much interest in Kadam dharma, and having received many requests to continue to teach, he agreed to remain in England. He has written many remarkable books that explain both basic Buddhism and the most advanced practices that lead to enlightenment. Geshe-la strongly emphasized the importance of transforming our daily worldly activities into the spiritual path.

Geshe-la established three unique study programs and over 1100 centers and groups around the world. He also trained hundreds of qualified teachers, including a flourishing ordained community, and created the International Temples Project [ITP] whose mandate is to build Buddhist Temples in every major city in the world.

In August of 2009, Geshe-la retired as General Spiritual Director. This duty is now fulfilled by the current General Spiritual Director, Gen-la Dekyong and the Deputy Spiritual Director, Gen-la Jampa. They lead the International Kadampa Festivals, where thousands of people from all over the world come to listen to the healing and inspiring teachings of Buddhadharma.

On September 17, 2022 Venerable Geshe-la showed the manner of passing away. Though his physical appearance in the world has ceased, his precious legacy will continue through his outstanding dharma books and his devoted disciples who make effort to practice the Kadampa lineage of Buddha’s teachings.

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, Ulverston UK. Gen-la Jampa has studied under Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for many years. He has taught dharma principally in the United States and was the Resident Teacher at Grand Canyon International Retreat Centre for several years. In addition, he has taught internationally for years as the Deputy Spiritual Director. He is greatly admired for his warm personality and clear inspiring teachings.

Gen-la Kelsang Sangden is the Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU, and is the National Spiritual Director of Kadampa Buddhism in Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and Peru, and the Resident Teacher at KMC Mexico. She is admired by many for her good example and her loving and clear advice. She has practised and taught Kadampa Buddhism for over 25 years.

Gen Kelsang Chodor is the National Spiritual Director of Canada and the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, in Toronto. Gen Chodor has studied under Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for well over 2 decades and has taught both in the UK and USA for many of those years. He offers very clear and warm hearted presentations of Buddha’s teachings.

Samudra Kadampa Buddhist Centre Teachers (Niagara)

Gen Kelsang Rabgye is the Resident Teacher of Samudra Kadampa Buddhist Centre. He began study of Kadampa Buddhism in the early spring of 1996, in Toronto, and began teaching in Hamilton in January of 1998. He was ordained by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche in 2001. In 2003 Samudra Kadampa Buddhist Centre was formed and became an independent Centre. At the same time Gen Rabgye moved to Hamilton and was appointed Resident Teacher. He teaches the Foundation Program classes in St Catharines.

Joanna Cielen is the General program teacher on Thursday evenings. She has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation and philosophy for 20 years. She has been a student of the Foundation Program for more than a decade. She is known for her loving kindness and sincere wish to help others to both understand and put into practice Buddha’s profound teachings.

Michelle MacIntosh is the General Program teacher on Tuesday evenings. She taught Buddhism for several years in Fonthill, and has been studying Buddhism for over 10 years. She is a student of Foundation Program, and is known for her enthusiastic and clear presentation of the Buddhist path to supreme happiness.

Kaitlyn Samways is the Peace of Mind teacher on Monday evenings. She began studying Buddhism in earnest in 2019 and then joined the comprehensive study class, Foundation Program in 2020, She is known for her clear wisdom understanding of Buddha’s profound path to liberation and enlightenment.