You are here: Home ›
New Kadampa Tradition – Organization
Geshe Kelsang has always insisted on the legal and financial independence of all his centers. However, since the centers were under the same spiritual direction and engaged in the same spiritual programs, it was natural that they began to cooperate in spiritual matters on a more formal basis. On May 31, 1991, Geshe Kelsang called together representatives from a number of these centers to discuss the setting up of a “common organization for the development of Dharma spiritual education,” as Geshe-la expressed it. During this meeting Geshe Kelsang first introduced the title 'New Kadampa Tradition' to give the centers under his spiritual direction a distinct identity within the wider Buddhist world.
Although the Gelugpas were sometimes referred to as new Kadampas, the name New Kadampa Tradition had never been used previously in a formal sense. By using this title, Geshe Kelsang is making it clear that practitioners of this tradition are principally following the teachings and example of Je Tsongkhapa. The word 'New' is used not to imply that it is newly created, but is a fresh presentation of Buddhadharma in a form and manner that is appropriate to the needs and conditions of the modern world. Furthermore, by using the title 'Kadampa', Geshe Kelsang encourages his disciples to follow the perfect example of simplicity and purity of practice shown by the Kadampa Geshes.
Geshe-la has likened the Kadampa practitioners of old to eagles soaring in the sky, and, although New Kadampa Tradition practitioners are as yet little birds trying to emulate these eagles, with effort, dedication and faith there is no reason why they should not become exactly like them:
“All lay people can become like Geshe Dromtönpa and all ordained people can become like Geshe Potowa.”
During the same meeting, Geshe Kelsang also set out the purpose of the common organization of the New Kadampa Tradition:
- To provide general spiritual assistance to the centers of the New Kadampa Tradition
- To ensure the purity and authenticity of their spiritual programs
- To oversee the setting of examinations for both the Foundation and Teacher Training Programs at each center
- To assist in the development of new Dharma centers
Geshe-la often speaks of the importance of Dharma centers. Without them there can be no sustained study or meditation programs, and thus no possibility of practitioners gaining realizations, becoming Teachers and continuing the lineages of scriptural transmission and realization. Without Dharma centers, people cannot make contact with the Dharma, and without Dharma there can be no Sangha and thus no Buddha. As Mahayana Buddhist centers, all New Kadampa Tradition centers have been established with the intention of benefiting all beings without exception.
Structure of NKT
Although the New Kadampa Tradition is primarily a religious association of centers that follow the same direction, the New Kadampa Tradition became a charitable (non-profit making) company registered in England to facilitate the raising of funds and their distribution to help new centers. Its members are the Spiritual Director, Geshe Kelsang, and the Administrative Directors and Education Program Coordinators of all NKT centers. These members in general meeting have authority over the affairs of the New Kadampa Tradition, and they elect, in annual general meeting, the four directors who legally administer the New Kadampa Tradition. In his desire to ensure that the New Kadampa Tradition remains essentially a spiritual organization, Geshe-la has guarded against any tendency to centralize authority. Although an 'NKT Office' has been set up at Manjushri center, it has only three unpaid part-time workers, including Company Secretary and Treasurer appointed by the directors. As Geshe Kelsang once remarked, “The NKT Office shouldn't tell centers what to do; centers should tell the NKT Office what to do”.
Since 1992 the number of centers has continued to increase. As of spring 2009 there are over 1000 centers and groups around the world under Geshe Kelsang's spiritual direction. Although the New Kadampa Tradition began largely as an association of UK Buddhist centers, there are now more New Kadampa Tradition centers and practitioners outside the UK.
