The Lineage of Buddhist Teachings

New Kadampa Tradition

NKT-IKBU in the USA

The New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU)

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054). The main practice of a Mahayana Buddhist is to reduce selfish intention and to benefit others.

Atisha's followers are known as 'Kadampas'. 'Ka' means 'word' and refers directly to Buddha's teachings, and 'dam' refers to Atisha's special compilation and condensation of Buddha's instructions, known as Lamrim, or 'the stages of the path to enlightenment'.

The Kadampa tradition was later made widely known in Tibet by Je Tsongkhapa and his followers, who came to be known as the 'New Kadampas'.

By integrating our knowledge and understanding of Buddha's teachings into our everyday lives, and thus transforming our daily activities into the spiritual path, Kadampa Buddhists use Buddha's Lamrim teachings as a practical method for overcoming challenges and adversity and progressing along the path to liberation and enlightenment.