Our Centre
& Modern
Buddhism
Bodhisattva Kadampa Buddhist Centre
We are a modern Buddhist meditation centre offering classes for everyone. Buddhist meditation techniques have been practised by people for thousands of years, whether they’re Buddhist or not. Our practical classes enable people with busy lives to experience deep and lasting happiness.
Bodhisattva Kadampa Buddhist Centre is a not-for-profit organisation. Our classes, workshops & retreats provide a comfortable and relaxed environment in which people can discover the benefits of meditation and modern Buddhism for themselves. Everyone is welcome!
Modern Buddhism
Modern Kadampa Buddhism is a special, practical presentation of Buddha’s teachings that is particularly suited to the modern day. It was introduced into contemporary society by the world-renowned meditation master and scholar Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Modern Kadampa Buddhism preserves the meaning and intention of Buddha’s original teachings while presenting them in a clear and systematic way that anyone of any nationality, age or gender can easily understand and put into practice – making everyday modern life more joyful and meaningful.
Our Tradition
We are a member of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), a Mahayana Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso that is derived from the Buddhist meditators and scholars Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa. The New Kadampa Tradition is an association of study and meditation centres dedicated to helping people everywhere find meaning and purpose in their lives, and to the developing of genuine inner peace and happiness.
For more information please see the main Kadampa website.
Our General Spiritual Director
The General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU is Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, a Buddhist nun and senior disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Gen-la Dekyong has studied and practised Kadampa Buddhism for many years under the guidance of Venerable Geshe-la, and is the Resident Teacher at our mother centre in the UK, Manjushri KMC. Gen-la Dekyong’s teachings, humour and kindness exemplify the essence of the Buddhist way of life.
Our Resident Teacher
The Resident Teacher of Bodhisattva Kadampa Buddhist Centre is Kelsang Dana, an ordained Buddhist nun.
Dana has been practising Buddhist meditation for 15 years. Through her joyful and loving aspect, she is able to communicate the essential points of meditation and Buddhism in a practical way that makes people feel confident, uplifted and encouraged.
Before coming to Canberra, Dana was the Education Program Coordinator at our sister centre Kadampa Meditation Centre Sydney, where she studied and taught various classes for over a decade.
Discover the New Kadampa Tradition
Discover the New Kadampa Tradition’s modern presentation of Buddha’s timeless wisdom—practical, accessible, and relevant for everyone. Explore this worldwide spiritual community and its core teachings on inner peace, compassion, and wisdom.
The New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is a global Buddhist community founded in 1991 by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Its aim is to uphold and make available the authentic teachings of Kadampa Buddhism for the benefit of all.
Rooted in the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni as passed down from the great Buddhist masters Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has made the timeless wisdom of Buddha’s teachings accessible to people everywhere.
Through its international network of affiliated centers and community-based initiatives, the NKT shares the practical benefits of these teachings with people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
The New Kadampa Tradition is an independent Buddhist tradition with no political affiliations. Legally registered as a non-profit charitable organization in England under the name New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).
The NKT main office is located at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center in Ulverston, UK, which is the Mother Center of the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union.
What is Kadampa Buddhism?
Kadampa Buddhism is a tradition of Buddhist practice that originated in 11th-century Tibet with the great Indian Buddhist master Atisha. He presented the teachings of Buddha in a clear, step-by-step format known as Lamrim, or “Stages of the Path to Enlightenment,” making the spiritual path accessible and practical for all.
In the 14th century, these teachings were further clarified by the fully realized scholar and meditation master Je Tsongkhapa, who emphasized the union of wisdom and compassion, Sutra and Tantra.
Followers of this tradition up to the time of Je Tsongkhapa are known as “Old Kadampas”, and those after the time of Je Tsongkhapa are known as “New Kadampas”. “Ka” is Tibetan for ‘word’ and refers to all Buddha’s teachings, “dam” refers to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions and “pa” refers to a follower of Kadampa Buddhism who integrates all the teachings of Buddha they know into their Lamrim practice.
Today, the New Kadampa Tradition follows this lineage, making the essential practices of Kadampa Buddhism available to people around the world through Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s beneficial activities.
You can read more about the life and teachings of Je Tsongkhapa in the book, Heart Jewel and more about the life and teachings of Atisha in the book Joyful Path of Good Fortune.
What is the purpose of the Kadampa teachings?
In the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), the key purpose of Kadampa teachings is to help people to develop wisdom and compassion in order to transform their minds and their lives.
By applying the teachings of Buddha in everyday situations, anyone—regardless of background—can learn how to reduce suffering, develop inner peace, and cultivate positive qualities like love, patience, and wisdom. This practical integration of Dharma with daily life is known as the union of Kadam Dharma and daily life, and it lies at the heart of the NKT’s approach.
Ultimately, the purpose is to enable everyone to make progress on the path to liberation and enlightenment, while also finding deeper happiness and meaning right now, in the midst of modern life.
Contact Us
Telephone 0477 044 607
Email info@meditateincanberra.org