The founder of Buddha Land Kadampa Meditation Centre is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a fully accomplished Buddhist meditation master who has been teaching in the West since 1977.
Invited to teach in England in 1977 he has, since that time, worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many profound books and establishing over 1000 Buddhist centres and groups. The tradition he founded includes a flourishing ordained community as well as thousands of lay practitioners whose lives have been transformed through his remarkable teachings.
In his teachings Geshe Kelsang emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, the need to be truly happy, and how to cultivate a good heart to help others. This remarkable teacher inspires so many people from so many different countries because he teaches from example. He is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping the people of this world find inner peace and happiness in their hearts.
Geshe-la, as he is affectionately known by his students, has developed three study programmes suitable for all levels of experience. For those with a simple wish to learn to meditate there is the General Programme. For those interested in exploring Buddhism more deeply there is the Foundation Programme and for committed students who want to help spread the Dharma he created a Teacher Training Programme.
Tharpa Publications
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has written a series of remarkable books on Buddhist meditation and practice. These can be bought from Tharpa Publications, who also sell Buddhist artwork and meditation CDs.