Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (; 4 June 1931 – 17 September 2022) was a Buddhism Bhikkhu, Lama, scholar, and author.[Smith, Jean (1999). Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teachings and Texts. New York: Riverhead Books. p. 324.] He was the founder and spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union (Function), a registered non-profit, modern Buddhist organization that came out of the Gelugpa school/lineage. They have 1,300 centres around the world, including temples, city temples and retreat centres that offer an accessible approach to ancient wisdom.
Life and education in Tibet
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was born on July 19th, 1931, in Yangcho Tang, Western Tibet and named Lobsang Chuponpa. At eight years old, he joined Ngamring Jampa Ling Monastery where he was ordained as a novice monk and given the monastic name "Kelsang Gyatso" meaning "Ocean of Good Fortune". He "went on to study at Sera, one of the great monasteries of Tibet’s dominant Gelug school. He was trained in the traditional method of intense scholastic study and debate, and he studied for a geshe degree, an advanced distinction in Buddhist scholarship."
Leaving Tibet and life in India
After escaping to India via Nepal during the Tibetan exodus in 1959, Kelsang Gyatso stayed at the monastic study centre established at
Buxa Fort in
West Bengal. All he brought with him were two Buddhist scriptures —
Shantideva's
Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life and a text by
Je Tsongkhapa. In 1971, the Indian Government donated large tracts of land in
South India to the community in exile, where separate monasteries were established.
At this time, Kelsang Gyatso left the monastery at Buxa for
Mussoorie (a hill station in the Indian state of
Uttarakhand) where he taught and engaged in intensive meditation retreat for sixteen years.
[Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University . p. 230.] At that time Kelsang Gyatso was, as David Kay puts it, "by all accounts, a very well respected scholar and meditator" within the Tibetan exile community.
[Kay, David (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 56.] He spent much of his time in India in retreat: "over the next two decades he spent long periods in retreat in the Himalayan foothills."
Journey to the West
In 1976, at the suggestion of the Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso was invited by Lama Thubten Yeshe through their mutual spiritual guide
Trijang Rinpoche to become the resident teacher at the main
FPMT center, Manjushri Institute in Ulverston,
Cumbria in
England.
In 1991, following a three-year retreat in Tharpaland,
Dumfries, he founded the
NKT-IKBU . He retired as General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU in August 2009 but continued to write books and practice materials.
Lama Yeshe's decision to invite his former classmate[Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 225, 230.]
Under Kelsang Gyatso's spiritual direction, Manjushri Institute "became a thriving training and retreat center."[Cresswell, Jamie. "Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition" entry in Melton, J. Gordon, and Martin Baumann. 2002. Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. p. 508.] Kelsang Gyatso taught the General Program at Manjushri from 1977 to 1987.[Kay, D. N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, development and adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. pp. 56, 73.] At that time, the Geshe studies programme was taught by Jampa Tekchok and then Konchog Tsewang (1982–1990). (In 1990 the Geshe Studies Programme at Manjushri Institute was cancelled, as it had been in most of the other FPMT Centres where it had been established.[Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 226. ])
On October 13, 1983, Kelsang Gyatso became a naturalized British citizen.[Cozort, D.. quoted in Heine, S., & Prebish, C. S. (2003). Buddhism in the modern world: Adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 230.]
Establishing Buddhist centres
In 1979, Kelsang Gyatso opened a Buddhist teaching centre (
Madhyamaka Centre in
Yorkshire) under the spiritual direction of his teacher H.E. Trijang Rinpoche. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was given permission to update the presentation of the dharma (teachings of Buddhism) to be clear and accessible to western students.
In 1987, Kelsang Gyatso entered a 3-year retreat at Tharpaland International Retreat Centre in Dumfries, Scotland. During his retreat, he wrote five books and established the foundations of the NKT-IKBU.[Kay, D. N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, development and adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 78.] Since that time, the NKT-IKBU has grown to comprise 1,300 centres worldwide, most principally study and meditation centers, some principally retreat centers, and six traditional-style Temples for World Peace.
Kelsang Gyatso's teachings have a practical emphasis on teachings based on Lamrim, Lojong and Mahamudra.
Waterhouse commented that, "He teaches in English with a strong Tibetan accent. He is an endearing character to look at; petite with slightly downcast eyes which look about him as he walks or teaches his devoted students."[Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (8:32-8:56)]
At the heart of the NKT-IKBU are its three study programs: the General Program, the Foundation Program, and the Teacher Training Program.
According to the NKT-IKBU, it "seeks not to offer a westernized form of Buddhism, but rather to make traditional Gelugpa Buddhism accessible to westerners."[Partridge, C. H. (2004). New religions: A guide : new religious movements, sects, and alternative spiritualities. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 205.] To achieve this, Kelsang Gyatso taught himself English.
Emphasis on lineage
Kay says that NKT-IKBU practitioners practice their tradition exclusively, "eschewing
eclecticism."
[Kay, David (1997). The New Kadampa Tradition and the Continuity of Tibetan Buddhism in Transition, Journal of Contemporary Religion 12:3 (October 1997), p. 286.] Kelsang Gyatso's "conservative and traditional presentation of Buddhism" is appealing to Westerners who "wish for a meaningful alternative to spiritual pluralism."
According to Kelsang Gyatso in
Understanding the Mind:
Therefore, Kelsang Gyatso taught in Great Treasury of Merit that the most effective way to progress spiritually is by "following one tradition purely — relying upon one Teacher, practicing only his teachings, and following his Dharma Protector. If we mix traditions many obstacles arise and it takes a long time for us to attain realizations."[Kelsang Gyatso. (1992). Great Treasury of Merit: How to rely upon a Spiritual Guide. Ulverston, U.K.: Tharpa Publications. p. 31.]
Geshe Kelsang was known as an exponent of Dorje Shugden practices, which brought him into conflict with the Tibetan political establishment."[Kay, David (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 101-2.]
In 1996, he was accused of flagrant defamation of the Dalai Lama, which led to his expulsion from Sera Je Monastic University in India.
Ordination of Westerners
The new Kadampa tradition provides a modern supportive environment for those who sincerely wish to take their devotion to Buddhism deeper by becoming ordained.
Development of Western Dharma teachers
Kelsang Gyatso founded the New Kadampa Tradition "to bring pure Buddhist teachings to the west,"
[Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (5:49-5:58)] where he would train equally four types of teacher: monks, nuns, lay men and lay women.
[Waterhouse, Helen (2001). Representing western Buddhism: a United Kingdom focus. quoted in Beckerlegge, G. (2001). From sacred text to internet. Religion today, v. 1. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. p. 139. ] NKT-IKBU Dharma Centres are mixed communities of lay and ordained practitioners who are all on the same teaching programs. He also promoted the development of local teachers in their own language.
[ Wishfulfilling Jewels for Dharma Practitioners: The Benefits of the Foundation and Teacher Training Programs by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. 1990-10-??. retrieved 2009-03-12.] This is a departure from most Tibetan Buddhist Centres where monastics take precedence over lay people, monks take precedence over nuns, and Tibetans take precedence over Westerners.
In a teaching called Training as a Qualified Dharma Teacher, Kelsang Gyatso explained where the teachers of the NKT-IKBU come from:
Retirement
In August 2009, he voluntarily stepped down as General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, in a democratic system of succession that he established in the NKT-IKBU's "Internal Rules".
[ A Moral Discipline Guide: The Internal Rules of the New Kadampa Tradition — International Kadampa Buddhist Union, Section 5§2, retrieved 2010-03-10.]
Kelsang Gyatso engaged in meditation retreat and continued to write Dharma books to preserve and promote the Kadampa Buddhism of Je Tsongkhapa, in accordance with the instructions of Trijang Rinpoche.[Waterhouse, Helen (2001). Representing western Buddhism: a United Kingdom focus. quoted in Beckerlegge, G. (2001). From sacred text to internet. Religion today, v. 1. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. pp. 140, 142.] According to Richard Spanswick, "Since taking up residence at Conishead Priory, Kelsang has been working to produce a complete set of instructions for westerners wishing to set out on the path to enlightenment."[Spanswick, Richard. (2000). The Guide: Following the Buddhist Path. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (9:40-9:57)] Continuing this task, a new book entitled Modern Buddhism: The Path of Wisdom and Compassion was released in January 2010, and its oral transmission was given by Kelsang Gyatso at the Fall 2010 NKT-IKBU Festival.[ Kadampa Buddhist Festivals and Celebrations, retrieved 2010-03-09.]
Kelsang Gyatso did not made any public appearances between October 2013 and his death in September 2022. The NKT stated he was "in strict retreat".
Death
On 19 September 2022, the NKT announced the death of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche (which occurred two days before) via their website and social media. Their statement reads:
The community of Kechara Forest Retreat and visiting sangha from Shar Gaden, Serpom, Phelgyeling and Segyu monasteries offered a Lama Chopa puja and many candle offerings dedicated for Ven. Geshe-la's swift return: "Having established the New Kadampa Tradition, Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was the spiritual father to tens of thousands around the world. A true Kadampa master, Geshe-la dedicated his entire life to upholding the pure traditions of Je Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden, and his contribution to the lineage was unparalleled in recent times."
Bibliography
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The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995)
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Buddhism in the Tibetan Tradition: A Guide, Routledge & Kegan Paul (1984) , (Library Edition 2008)
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Clear Light of Bliss: Tantric Meditation Manual, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1992)
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Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness, Tharpa Publications (2000)
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Essence of Vajrayana: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, Tharpa Publications (1997)
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Great Treasury of Merit: How to Rely Upon a Spiritual Guide, Tharpa Publications (1992)
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Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1996)
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Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: How to Enjoy a Life of Great Meaning and Altruism, a translation of Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara with Neil Elliott, Tharpa Publications (2002)
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Heart Jewel: The Essential Practices of Kadampa Buddhism, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997)
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The New Heart of Wisdom: Profound Teachings from Buddha's Heart, Tharpa Publications (5th. ed., 2012)
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How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, Tharpa Publications (2005, US ed., 2007)
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Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 2001, US ed. 2008)
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Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995)
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Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully: The Profound Practice of Transference of Consciousness, Tharpa Publications (1999)
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Mahamudra Tantra: The Supreme Heart Jewel Nectar, Tharpa Publications (2005)
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Meaningful to Behold: The Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (5th. ed., 2008)
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The Mirror of Dharma: How to Find the Real Meaning of Human Life, Tharpa Publications (2018)
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Modern Buddhism: The Path of Wisdom and Compassion, Tharpa Publications (2010)
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The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful, Tharpa Publications (2003)
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Ocean of Nectar: The True Nature of All Things, Tharpa Publications (1995)
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The Oral Instructions of the Mahamudra, Tharpa Publications (2015)
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Tantric Grounds and Paths: How to Enter, Progress on, and Complete the Vajrayana Path, Tharpa Publications (1994)
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Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey, Tharpa Publications (2001, US ed. 2007)
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Understanding the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997)
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Universal Compassion: Inspiring Solutions for Difficult Times, Tharpa Publications (4th. ed., 2002)
Notes
Further reading
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– a review of Ocean of Nectar: Wisdom and Compassion in Mahāyāna Buddhism by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
External links
