Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (982–1054 ad). His followers are known as Kadampas: ‘ka’ means ‘word’ and refers to Buddha’s teachings, and ‘dam’ refers to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions known as the stages of the paths to enlightenment.

By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha’s teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating this into their everyday life, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

The great Kadampa teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity. The lineage of these teachings, both their scriptural transmission and realization, was passed from Teacher to disciple throughout much of Asia, and now has spread to many countries in the western world.

The external forms of presenting Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage of realized practitioners.

Today Kadampa Buddhism is practiced in forty countries at over eight hundred centers and groups which together constitute the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union.

Buddha Shakyamuni

Kalinga Buddhist Center, 120 Third Street East, Kalispell, Montana 59901   Telephone: (406) 756-8690   Email: meditate@kalinga.org

© Kalinga Buddhist Center, 2006.    Contact Webmaster