The presentation of our Kadampa meditations mainly comes from a special Teacher named Je Tsongkhapa, who lived in the 14th century.

As a manifestation of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri, Je Tsongkhapa realized that the best way to help living beings to overcome their ignorance was to set a good example and to give clear and profound teachings. Like a mother caring for her children, Je Tsongkhapa devoted his whole life to helping others eliminate their ignorance through his clear and profound teachings.

Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings are like keys that unlock the meaning of Buddha’s Sutras and Tantras. Without Je Tsongkhapa’s works, simply by reading the scriptures we would find it impossible to discover Buddha’s intention. These days we are able to practice the stages of the path to enlightenment, Lamrim, only because of the kindness of Je Tsongkhapa. The Lamrim teachings originated from Buddha himself, but they were arranged in their systematic form by Atisha, the great Indian Buddhist Master who was invited to Tibet by the king, Jangchub O. Everyone regards Atisha as very kind because he founded the pure tradition known as the Kadampa Tradition and because he wrote the original Lamrim text, Lamp for the Path, but if we look at this text we will see that it is only a few pages long and that the complex meaning of all the stages of the path to enlightenment is condensed into very few words. With explaination and commentary it is impossible for us to understand these teachings and put them into practice.

It was Je Tsongkhapa who provided the essential explanation that enable us to practice Atisha’s precious instructions. In his Great, Middling and Condensed Expositions of the Stages of the Path, Je Tsongkhpa provides a completely clear and unmistaken guide to each of the essential practices of the path to enlightenment.

Kadampa meditation is special because of the unique qualities of Je Tsongkhapa. These qualities are praised in a special dedication verse to Je Tsongkhapa (ordained name Losang Dragpa) that is often recited in Dharma Centres:

May I meet the doctrine of Conqueror Losang Dragpa,

Who has a pure practice of stainless moral discipline,

The courageous practice of the extensive deeds of a Bodhisattva,

And the yogas of the two stages to supreme bliss and emptiness.

To experience the qualities of Kadampa meditation for yourself, please join one of our Drop-in classes. You can review our Calendar to find a class that fits your schedule. If you would like teachings in your area, please send us an email to request a Teacher. We will always try to respond to a sincere request for Dharma teachings.

A wonderful way to connect with Je Tsongkhapa’s special presentation of Dharma is to attend the Je Tsongkhapa Empowerment in Brazil and the NKT Fall Festival (October 22-29). During this extraordinary week, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso will open the new Kadampa Buddhist Temple at KMC Brazil, offer the empowerment and commentary to the practice of Je Tsongkhapa and transmit the blessings of Geshe-la’s new book Modern Buddhism: The Path of Compassion and Wisdom.