Our Founder

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a fully realized meditation master and a renowned teacher of Buddhism. Geshe-la, as his students affectionately call him, is responsible for the worldwide spread of Kadampa Buddhism today. From the age of eight, he studied extensively in the great monastic universities of Tibet and eventually obtained the title of “Geshe,” which means “spiritual friend.” Under the direction of his Spiritual Guide, Triyhang Rinpoche, he lived at the foot of the Himalayas for eighteen years practicing and studying meditation. In 1977, he accepted an invitation to teach at the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center in England where he has lived ever since, leading a growing group of disciples.

Geshe-la has published a number of exceptional books on Buddhism and meditation, from basic introductions to advanced philosophical texts and meditation manuals. He has designed three special study programs and established centers and groups around the world. He has also trained hundreds of qualified teachers and created a thriving community of monks and nuns globally, as well as building Buddhist temples in the most important cities around the world. In his teachings, Geshe-la emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, and emphasizes cultivating a good heart in order to help others.

Leading by example, this extraordinary teacher is an inspiration to many. Geshe-la is a humble Buddhist monk, dedicated to helping people around the world find true happiness and peace from within.