New Kadampa Tradition

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The New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) is a global Buddhist organization and registered charitable company^[1]founded by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso 1991 in England. In 2003, the words International Kadampa Buddhist Union (IKBU) were added to the name, making its official full name, the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

The NKT-IKBU describes itself as Kadampa Buddhism and as a time-honored tradition, stating that "Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054)."^[2] Peter Bernard Clarke, a theology professor at Oxford, has characterised NKT as a "controversial Tibetan Buddhist new religious movement (NRM)".^[3]

Contents 1 Historical Background of the Formation of NKT 1.1 The Foundation of the New Kadampa Tradition 1.2 The Identity of the NKT 2 Lineage of teachers 3 Teachings, Spiritual Programs and Teachers 3.1 Teachings 3.2 Spiritual Programs 3.3 Teachers 4 Ordination 5 Religious activities 6 Growth 7 Controversies 7.1 Criticism of the NKT 7.2 Response of the NKT to criticism 7.3 Different views on NKT 8 References 8.1 Specific 8.2 General 9 External links 9.1 About the New Kadampa Tradition 9.2 Reviews of NKT Courses 9.3 Critical of NKT

[edit] Historical Background of the Formation of NKT

In 1976 the students of Lama Thubten Yeshe founded the Manjushri Institute, a registered charitable company^[4] with Lama Yeshe as the Spiritual Director and purchased the assets of Conishead Priory, a sadly neglected Victorian mansion in Ulverston (Cumbria), England.^[5][6] In the same year Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche visited Geshe Kelsang in India and invited him over to teach at the Manjushri Institute, which was a part of their FPMT network.^[6]

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, monk and scholar, who became the Spiritual Director of NKT in 1991, is a contemporary of Lama Yeshe's from the time they spent studying at Sera Monastery (Gelug Tradition).^[6]

According to an NKT brochure, "Lama Yeshe requested Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche to ask Geshe Kelsang to become Resident Teacher of Manjushri Institute. Geshe Kelsang later recounted that Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche asked him to go to England, teach Shantideva's 'Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life', Chandrakirti's 'Guide to the Middle Way' and Lamrim, and then check whether there was any meaning in his continuing to stay." ^[7] According to researcher David N. Kay, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was invited in 1976 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who sought the advice of the Dalai Lama when choosing Geshe Kelsang.^[6]

Geshe Kelsang was requested by Lama Yeshe to lead the "General Program" of Buddhist study. In 1979 Lama Yeshe installed another Geshe at Manjushri Institute, Geshe Jampa Tekchok, to teach parallel a twelve-year Geshe Studies Programme, which was recognized and validated by the Dalai Lama and was modeled on the traditional Geshe degree.^[6] From 1982 to 1990 this Program was led by Geshe Konchog Tsewang.^[8] According to a disciple of Lama Yeshe from this time, Lama Yeshe intended the institute "to become the central monastery of the FPMT... one of the early jewels of the FPMT crown" and "the pioneer among the western centers".^[6]

In the late 1970s, Geshe Kelsang opened up a Buddhist Centre in York under his own spiritual direction. Kay sees this as the beginning of a conflict between Lama Yeshe and Geshe Kelsang.^[9]However, according to Geshe Kelsang, "the opening of the Centre in York caused not one moment of confusion or disharmony".^[10] Geshe Kelsang was asked to resign so that another Geshe, described by Kay as "more devoted to FPMT objectives", could take over as a resident teacher of Manjushri Institute.^[9] Many students of Geshe Kelsang petitioned him to stay and teach them, and on this basis he decided to stay.^[9] In the following years prior 1990 Geshe Kelsang established 15 centers under his own direction in Great Britain and Spain.^[11]

Both David Kay and Daniel Cozort describe the management committee of Manjushri Institute from 1981 onwards as made up principally of Geshe Kelsang's close students, also known as "the Priory group".^[9][12] According to Kay, "The Priory Group became dissatisfied with the FPMT's increasingly centralized organisation."^[9] Cozort states that different disagreements "led to a rift between Lama Yeshe and his students and Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and his, and eventually the Manjushri Board of directors (comprised of Geshe Gyatso's students) severed the connection of the between institute and FPMT."^[12] According to Kay Lama Yeshe tried at different times to reassert his authority over the Institute, but his attempts were unsuccessful.^[13] Kay goes on to describe an open conflict of authority which developed between the Priory Group and the FPMT administration in 1983.^[9] In February 1984 the conflict was mediated by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London.^[9] Kay states that after the death of Lama Yeshe in March 1984, the FPMT lost interest because they saw it as a fruitless case.^[13] Since that time, Kay states, the Manjushri Institute has developed mainly under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang without further reference to the FPMT^[9], but legally remained part of the FPMT until late 1990.^[14]

Kay writes that, "the determination of Geshe Kelsang and the Priory Group to separate from the parent organisation was uncompromising, and this was a position only hardened during the following years." He goes on to describe the split from the Gelug school and FPMT as follows "Geshe Kelsang's perception of himself and his centres vis-á-vis the contemporary Gelug sect changed dramatically, and he came to believe that he could only uphold the tradition of Tsongkhapa purely by separating from the degenerate world of Tibetan, and specifically Gelug, Buddhism."^[15] According to Kay, as a result of these beliefs, Geshe Kelsang "began to introduce new and radically exclusive policies within his centres. He had come to believe by this time that he had a central role to play in the preservation of Tsongkhapa's tradition in the modern age. The substance of the various reforms he implemented, therefore, was that the student within his centres were now to rely exclusively upon him for their spiritual inspiration and welfare."^[16] According to Kay, Geshe Kelsang discouraged his students both from receiving guidance from teachers of other traditions and from reading their books^[17], became outspoken against the Geshe Studies Programme in 1990^[17], and recommended instead his new study programmes. Kay argued that another result of these "radically exclusive policies" was that after the foundation of NKT the Manjushri Institute Library, with over 3000 books,^[18] was removed.^[19]. Kay goes on to argue that, "this began with non-Gelug books being removed, but as Geshe Kelsang's vision crystalised, even books by Gelug teachers became unacceptable to him and the library disappeared altogether. He thus became convinced that the Tibetan Gelug tradition as a whole no longer embodied Tsong Khapa's pure teachings and that he and his disciples must therefore separate from it. From this point onwards, Tibetan Gelug lamas would no longer be invited to teach within his network. This perceived degeneration extended to include its highest-level lamas, and so even veneration for the Dalai Lama was now actively discouraged."^[19] The pictures of the Dalai Lama were removed from the gompas and shrines of Geshe Kelsang's centres.^[19]

[edit] The Foundation of the New Kadampa Tradition

According to David Kay "in 1991, through the successful exploitation of a legal loophole, the assets of Manjushri Institut finally fell under the sole control of the Priory Group"(the close desciples of Geshe Kelsang).^[14] In the same year, in Spring 1991, Geshe Kelsang announced the creation of the 'New Kadampa Tradition' an event which was celebrated in the NKT-Magazine Full Moon as 'a wonderful development in the history of the Buddhadharma.'^[14] In 1992, the Manjushri Institute developed a new constitution^[20], which constituted the formal foundation of the NKT. The Manjushri Institute was renamed the Manjushri Mahayana Buddhist Centre^[9], and later the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre. Since that it is Geshe Kelsang's home and the NKT's flagship center.^[21]

With the foundation of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, he established a new and independent religious movement^[22] aiming to, "principally follow the teachings and example of Je Tsongkhapa"^[7]; he also gave a new identity to his followers. The many NKT centres which were built up rapidly by his followers could gather under the common auspices of the NKT and their spiritual guide, distinguishing and disassociating them from other Tibetan Buddhist traditions—especially the Gelug school, from which Geshe Kelsang Gyatso originated. Kay argued that, by these changes, Geshe Gyatso provided a basis for NKT becoming a Western tradition whose "spiritual authority could later be concentrated exclusively on him."^[23] Cozort describes this as unusual in the Tibetan tradition.^[24] The NKT described themselves as being "an entirely independent Buddhist tradition with no political affiliations^[25] ... that is appropriate to the needs and conditions of the modern world"^[7]. David N. Kay comments:

In defining the movement in this way, the organisation is not simply maintaining that it represents Buddhism adapted for westerners; it is also striving to underline its separation from the Tibetan Gelug sect and emphasise the point that the West - via the NKT - is now the guardian and custodian of the pure tradition of Tsong Khapa in the modern world. From an NKT viewpoint, Geshe Kelsang has played a unique role in the transmission of Tsong Khapa's pure teachings, and the organisation and study structures he has created in the West are now believed to protect and preserve a tradition that is all but lost in its indigenous Eastern context.[26]

[edit] The Identity of the NKT

In 1998 Geshe Kelsang stated in an interview:

We are pure Gelugpas. The name Gelugpa doesn’t matter, but we believe we are following the pure tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. We are studying and practicing Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings and taking as our example what the ancient Kadampa lamas and geshes did. All the books that I have written are commentaries on Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings. We try our best to follow the example of the ancient Kadampa Tradition and use the name Kadampa to remind people to practice purely.[27]

According to an NKT brochure, written by James Belither, a former longtime secretary of the NKT:

Geshe Kelsang first introduced the title 'New Kadampa Tradition' to give the centres 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. Nevertheless, 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."[7]

Nowadays, the New Kadampa Tradition describe the presentation of Buddhism as presented by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in the west as Kadampa Buddhism and offer the following statement:

"Kadampa Buddhism is a time-honored tradition that for centuries has made Buddha's teachings and meditation practices available to people throughout the world"^[28]

"It is an association of Buddhist Centers and practitioners that derive their inspiration and guidance from the example of the ancient Kadampa Buddhist Masters and their teachings as presented by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) is an international non-profit organization registered in England as a charitable company...,and was founded by Geshe Kelsang to provide a vehicle for promoting Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world."^[29]

Moreover, NKT present themselves as being the continuation of the ancient Kadampa tradition by naming their school Kadampa Buddhism and equating this Kadampa Buddhism with the historical Kadampa School of Atisha:

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054)...The great Kadampa Teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity...The lineage of these teachings, both their oral transmission and blessings, was then passed from Teacher to disciple, spreading throughout much of Asia, and now to many countries throughout the western world...Through the activities and dedication of the renowned Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Buddhism has spread to many countries in recent years. Geshe Kelsang has worked tirelessly to spread Kadampa Buddhism throughout the world by giving extensive teachings, writing many profound texts on Kadampa Buddhism, and founding the New Kadampa Tradition, the International Kadampa Buddhist Union.[30]

Critics argue "that the New Kadampa Tradition, as it is known today, is not part of the ancient Kadampa Tradition but a split from the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism."^[31]

James Belither described the NKT as "a Mahayana Buddhist tradition with historical connections with Tibet", rather than a Tibetan tradition, and explained that Geshe Kelsang wishes his followers always "to present Dharma in a way appropriate to their own culture and society without the need to adopt Tibetan culture and customs"^[32]

Bluck remarked that there remains an apparent contradiction between claiming a pure Tibetan lineage and complete separation from contemporary Tibetan religion, while the NKT strongly emphasizes its pure unbroken Tibetan lineage, it has no Tibetan followers and claims to stand outside current Tibetan Buddhism.^[33]

[edit] Lineage of teachers

The NKT expresses the main figures of its lineage as follows:

1. Shakyamuni Buddha
2. Venerable Atisha
3. Je Tsongkhapa
4. Pabongka Rinpoche
5. Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang
6. Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

[edit] Teachings, Spiritual Programs and Teachers

[edit] Teachings

The New Kadampa Tradition has been developed exclusively^[34] on the basis of Geshe Kelsang's teachings and published books, which follow a selection of Gelug Teachings of different Buddhist Mahayana and Vajrayana texts. The main practice in NKT is Lamrim (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment), Lojong (Training the Mind), and Vajrayana Mahamudra (The practices of Highest Yoga Tantra) with a strong emphasis on Guru devotion and the tantric Guru-Yoga.

Geshe Kelsang has remarked that he regards all his books as "coming from Je Tsongkhapa, with himself as being like a cassette recorder into which the Wisdom Buddha, the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, has placed the cassette of Je Tsongkhapa's teachings".^[7]

Cozort confirms the NKT view that the textbooks of Geshe Kelsang "are commentaries on Gelug works, especially those of it's founder Tsongkhapa."^[35]

Of the textbooks of Geshe Kelsang the NKT say: "This remarkable series of authoritative books represents the most complete and integrated presentation of the Buddhist path to enlightenment available in any western language. Originally written in English they are currently being translated into many of the world's major languages."^[36]

Regarding Guru devotion Kay has observed that: "Teachings on guru devotion and guru-yoga naturally form an important part of the texts composed by Geshe Kelsang, and his general presentation of this concept is rooted firmly within traditional Tibetan outlines of the guru-disciple relationship. His teachings on this subject have, nevertheless, changed and developed during his time in the West and they now incorporate a number of unusual features. The main shift in his thought occurred with the creation of the NKT. Discussions of the guru-disciple relationship appearing in his publications from this time reflect an exclusivism that did not characterise his earlier presentation and which is uncommon within traditional Tibetan contexts."^[37]

[edit] Spiritual Programs

At the heart of the NKT are three study programs. Giving an overview of the purpose of the programs the NKT say: "Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has designed three special spiritual programs for the systematic study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism that are especially suited to the modern world."^[38] It is believed by NKT followers that they embody the "pure lineage" in its entirety.^[34]

Describing the introduction of these programs in 1990 Geshe Kelsang said: "At present in our Centers we have a Foundation Program and a Teacher Training Program. This is not a new tradition. In the past there have been other programs specially designed for Dharma students according to their particular circumstances. All of these programs involved studying a certain number of texts, memorizing material, passing examinations, and being awarded a degree or certificate. For example, the ancient Kadampa Geshes had a program in which they studied six texts. Later Je Tsongkhapa introduced a program based on ten texts, and later still Tibetan Monasteries such as Ganden, Sera, and Drepung introduced a program based on five texts. I studied this program at Sera Monastery."^[39]

The three spiritual programs are:

1. The General Program, which provides a basic introduction to basic Buddhist ideas and meditation.
2. The Foundation Program, which includes the study of six commentaries written by Geshe Kelsang on the following classical texts:
   • Joyful Path of Good Fortune - based on Pabongka Rinpoche's teachings on Lamrim or The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
   • Universal Compassion - a commentary on Bodhisattva Chekhawa's Training the Mind in Seven Points
   • Eight Steps to Happiness - a commentary on Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa's Eight Verses of Training the Mind
   • Heart of Wisdom - a commentary on the Heart Sutra
   • Meaningful to Behold - a commentary on Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life
   • Understanding the Mind - a commentary and detailed explanation of the mind based on the works of the Buddhist scholars Dharmakirti and Dignaga.
3. The Teacher Training Program is intended for people who wish to train as NKT Dharma Teachers. All Resident Teachers of NKT Centers follow this program of study and practice. The program involves the study of 14 texts of Geshe Kelsang, including all of those in the Foundation Program, and the following 8 listed below. In addition this program includes commitments concerning one's lifestyle based on the 5 lay vows of the Pratimoksha and the completion of specific meditational retreats.
   • The Bodhisattva Vow - A commentary on Mahayana moral discipline and the practice of the six perfections.
   • Ocean of Nectar - A commentary on Chandrakirti's Guide to the Middle Way
   • Clear Light of Bliss - A commentary on meditations of Highest Yoga Tantra.
   • Great Treasury of Merit - A commentary on the Puja Offering to the Spiritual Guides of Basi Chökyi Gyaltsen (1st Panchen Lama)
   • Mahamudra Tantra - Meditation on the nature of mind according to Tantra
   • Guide to Dakini Land - A commentary on the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Vajrayogini
   • Tantric Grounds and Paths - An explanation of the practice of the lower and upper classes of Tantra
   • Essence of Vajrayana - A commentary on the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka

In 1990 Geshe Kelsang said "These programs...are real wishfulfilling jewels for Dharma practitioners. By participating in them we can improve our wisdom and Dharma experience and use Dharma to solve our daily problems. We can become our own protector by protecting ourselves from danger and suffering, and our own doctor by curing our mental pain with Dharma medicine. We shall be able to set a good example for others to follow and help others by giving teachings and advice. Eventually we will be able to give extensive teachings and benefit others in many ways by organizing special programs and so forth. In this way we will make both our own and others' human lives extremely meaningful."^[39]

Waterhouse has observed that a fundamental element is "the notion of the purity of Geshe Kelsang's lineage and the importance of maintaining that purity in practice".^[40] In his book "Understanding the mind" Geshe Kelsang states that "it is mixing different religious traditions that causes sectarianism"^[41] and he discourages the reader of doing so, claiming that "studying non-religious subjects is less of an obstacle to our spiritual progress than studying religions of different traditions."^[41] He argues further that "the practices taught by one teacher will differ from those taught by another, and if we try to combine them we will become confused, develop doubts, and loose direction."^[42] Regarding this view Kay states that "in order to obtain spiritual realisations and to ensure that the pure tradition of Tsongkhapa remains in the world, NKT students are encouraged to ‘practise purely’. This means that they must not mix their spiritual practice — their study, meditation, or sadhana recitation and visualisation exercises — with worldly or political activities or with other, non-NKT spiritual teachings. The books and sadhanas prepared by Geshe Kelsang upon which all NKT practice is based, and the infrastructure of the NKT organisation itself, are considered to have placed a boundary around Tsongkhapas’s pure tradition, the survival of which depends entirely upon a widespread diligence in boundary maintenance. As part of the emphasis on pure practice, students within the NKT are discouraged from attending teachings or reading books by other Buddhist teachers and authors^[43]. According to Geshe Kelsang, 'If we follow these spiritual programmes we will steadily progress towards enlightenment, but if we try to do everything ourselves and read many different books from many different traditions we will just get confused.' ^[44]

In a 1998 manual for the NKT teacher-training programme the students were encouraged to: "internalise Geshe-la's books so that we can quote liberally from them, word for word." Students were advised: "if it is found in the works of Geshe Kelsang it is completely reliable", and further that: "the more devotion we have to our Guru the more qualified we are as a Teacher. Every NKT Teacher must give exactly the same explanation, otherwise the NKT will disintegrate... Therefore this generation of Teachers must try very hard to come to complete consensus as to what is the correct interpretation of every single section of every one of Geshe-la's books."^[45]

In 2004 James Belither explained that although only Geshe Kelsang’s books are studied at centres, there is ‘no rule against NKT students reading books from other traditions’, as this is a matter of personal choice.^[46]

Examining the criticism that NKT training is too one-sided Cozort says: "NKT students rely entirely upon the published works of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Kelsang Gyatso is a highly trained Geshe, and his teaching through these books is very much in the mainstream of his tradition, but it is still only one voice and one point of view. This is unusual in the Tibetan tradition. Although it is true enough that for Gelugpas, Tsongkhapa is considered virtually infallible, in general no source is considered immune from criticism."^[47]

[edit] Teachers

Geshe Kelsang expounded on the qualifications of NKT teachers in 1990: "Buddhadharma is beneficial to others only if there are qualified Teachers. Without Teachers, Dharma texts alone are of little benefit. To become a qualified Dharma Teacher requires special preparation and training. It is not easy to become a Dharma Teacher because special qualities are needed: wisdom, correct view, faith, conviction, and pure conduct as an example to others. Also a Teacher needs an inexhaustible reservoir of Dharma knowledge and experience to teach from, otherwise he or she will dry up after one or two years. If a Teacher lacks qualities such as wisdom, experience, faith, and pure motivation, it will be difficult for others to develop faith in them or their teachings, and there will be little benefit. Also, without proper training and preparation there is a danger of Teachers mixing worldly, samsaric activities with their teaching activities. Therefore we definitely need to train well if we wish to be a genuine benefit to others."^[39]

Regarding the qualifications of NKT teachers, Kay observed that "Whilst personal experience of the teachings is considered important, the dominant view within the NKT is that the main qualification of a teacher is their purity of faith and discipleship." ^[48]

According to Blucks research: "Most teachers are appointed to centres by Geshe Kelsang before they have completed the Teaching Training Programme and continue studying by correspondence, with an intensive study programme at Manjushri each summer. After 4 years as a resident teacher, monastics take the title ‘Gen’ and lay teachers become ‘Kadam’ (Namgyal, 2004). Most resident teachers are ordained, with only a few centres having a lay teacher, though local branch classes are often taught by lay students (Prasad, 2004). Kay (2004: 85) found that lay people were almost as likely as monastics to be given teaching and leadership roles; and he sees this as an important Western adaptation of Gelug Buddhism, again because this includes tantric practices which Tsongkhapa restricted to those with 'a solid grounding of academic study and celibate monastic discipline'."^[49]

[edit] Ordination

The ordination vows of monks and nuns within the New Kadampa Tradition are different to those followed by monks and nuns in the Tibetan tradition. Geshe Kelsang gives his followers an ordination based on 10 vows.

The first five vows of NKT ordination is founded on and includes the five Pratimoksha vows of a lay follower and in addition includes celibacy. The last five vows are different from those described in the Vinaya and the Pratimoksha Sutras.

The ten vows of NKT ordination are to "abandon killing, stealing, sexual conduct, lying and taking intoxicants" and also to "practise contentment, reduce my desire for worldly pleasures, abandon engaging in meaningless activities, maintain the commitments of refuge, and practise the three trainings of pure moral discipline, concentration and wisdom."^[50] A monk or nun who breaks these vows will be expelled from the center for at least a year. He can ask later for permission to reordain.^[51]

According to NKT within the NKT community there are over 500 monks and nuns.^[52] The guiding principle of ordination in the NKT is the motivation of renunciation (Tib.: nge-jung).

[edit] Religious activities

Throughout the year and in different places in the world, the NKT run a number of festivals. These feature teachings and empowerments from Geshe Kelsang Gyatso or senior NKT teachers. The longest running are the Spring and Summer Festivals at Manjushri Centre in Ulverston, England.

[edit] Growth

As of 2006 NKT claims the establishment of over 1000 centres and groups worldwide^[52]. The centres are residential communities, and the groups are branch groups that meet weekly in places such as Quaker meeting houses and community centres.

Madeleine Bunting stated in a newspaper article she wrote in 1996 that "The method of expansion is that residential centres support branch centres, which are often no more than a group meeting in someone's house; or a hall is rented to run the NKT courses. When the group has reached a size sufficient to sustain a centre, a property is bought. The NKT maintains that each centre is entirely autonomous and is only "spiritually joined" to the NKT, although it admits that the two principal officers of each centre are NKT members. The aim is to establish a centre in every major UK town with the NKT as the biggest umbrella Buddhist organisation in the West." ^[53]

To finance new centres, NKT has built up a New Centres Development Fund^[7]. Regarding the financing of NKT centres Bluck notes that "Fees are charged for meetings, payable at the door or by a monthly 'Centre Card' covering all local classes ^[54]. The Manjushri Spring and Summer Festivals generate considerable income from the 2,000 or more lay and monastic guests. Like Samye Ling there are fixed charges for accommodation and courses, and a large shop and general stores sells Geshe Kelsang’s books, CDs of sadhanas and statues."

Another part of the expansion forms the building of Buddhist Temples, called Kadampa Temples for World Peace. The NKT has established a Kadampa Buddhist Temple in the United Kingdom, as well as in Canada, the United States, and Spain, is currently developing a Temple in Brazil and plans to build one in Germany too. NKT stated that "The International Temples Project was established by Venerable Geshe Kelsang in the early nineties. The vision is to build a Kadampa Temple for World Peace in every major city in the world. The project is funded entirely by voluntary donations and revenue from International Buddhist Festivals."(means NKT festivals)^[55]

World Peace Cafes have been opened at some residential centres, and in 2005 the NKT opened their first World Peace Hotel, called Hotel Kadampa, a no-smoking, alcohol-free hotel in Southern Spain. ^[56] A second Hotel Kadampa has been bought in Italy. This place will be also the home of the Kadampa Meditation Centre Italy.^[57]

According to Bluck NKT has a "widespread if selective publicity and an overt proselytizing".^[58] According to Kay "NKT students in Britain who have encountered Geshe Kelsang's 'doctrine of good fortune' have a responsibility to 'help spread his precious teachings to every corner of the world' ^[59]", and he states that this is done "by establishing and teaching in centres overseas, by sponsoring and translating his books into non-English languages, or just by supporting the growth of new centres financially."^[60] Kay explains further that "according to NKT literature, whilst Buddha Sakyamuni, Je Tsongkhapa and Geshe Kelsang have all 'introduced the same Dharma into the world' , the uncommon contribution of the latter has been 'to lay down the structures to ensure that this precious Dharma will spread throughout the world' ^[61]. The publishing activity of the organisation is regarded as another key mechanism of growth.^[60] Since one of the most common ways in which people are attracted to the NKT is through reading Geshe Kelsang's books, it is considered imperative to publish them in every language and 'get them into every book shop in the world' ^[62]."^[60] Kay saw this "missionary drive" as a main source why the New Kadampa Tradition has expanded that rapidly.^[60]

Waterhouse found that 'casual attenders' were 'encouraged in enthusiastic terms to attend further courses', and often felt this was an evangelical approach.^[63] This attitude has drawn the reproach that the NKT is presenting a form of 'evangelical Buddhism'.^[64]

According to Kay, the NKT aims to spread worldwide, but it is sensitive to accusations of 'empire-building' and claims that expansion 'stems from a pure motivation to help others' . Bluck found that interviewees reflected this view: In 1997 James Belither explained that all NKT centres 'should have as their goal the establishing of new centres in order to help the people in that locality' and in 2004 Belither confirmed that the movement’s aim was 'simply to present the Buddhism of our tradition to as many people as possible who might be interested' .^[65] According to Bluck: "Interviewees claimed the movement’s expansion was led by local demand rather than central control, as more people start groups because of their faith in Geshe Kelsang and his teachings (Jenkins, 2004). As Kelsang Namgyal (2004) explained, 'we would like everyone to have inner peace...so we are trying to give it to as many people as possible' ."^[65]

[edit] Controversies

[edit] Criticism of the NKT

David Barett has characterised the NKT-IKBU as "deriving from Tibetan Buddhism" and as "one of the newest and most controversial buddhist movements".^[66] Some Buddhists who are critical of the NKT and some non-Buddhists see the NKT as a cult.^[67]

NKT attracted international media attention^[68] and a lot of criticism when performing public demonstrations "for religious freedom" in America, England, Switzerland and Germany (1996-1998) against the Dalai Lama who advised publicly against the Shugden practice. Donald S. Lopez, Jr. mentioned the media attention, the press criticism and the cult allegation in Britain in an interview in 1998:

In the summer of 1996, the disciples of Kelsang Gyatso denounced the Dalai Lama for impinging on their religious freedom, and picketed against him during his visit to Britain, accusing him of intolerance. The demonstrations made front-page news in the British press, which collectively rose to the Dalai Lama’s defense and in various reports depicted the New Kadampa Tradition as a fanatic, empire-building, demon-worshipping cult. The demonstrations were a public relations disaster for the NKT, not only because of its treatment by the press, but also because the media provided no historical context for the controversy and portrayed Shugden as a remnant of Tibet’s primitive pre-Buddhist past.[69]

In 1998 NKT became a member of the British Network of Buddhist Organizations (NBO). Waterhouse notes^[70] when the NKT joined the British Network of Buddhist Organizations, about thirty percent of the other Buddhist groups identifying themselves with the Tibetan Buddhist tradition left the NBO.

The Deutsche Buddhistische Union (DBU) refused membership for the NKT main center in Germany and its 15 branch centers in 2000.^[71] The Österreichische Buddhistische Religionsgesellschaft (ÖBR) gave a signal to the NKT that they will have no chance to become a member of it.^[71]

On August 22,1996 the monks of Sera Je monastery, issued a formal "Declaration of Expulsion" expelling Geshe Kelsang from his monastery.^[72]

The NKT's continued emphasis on the Shugden practise is another source of criticism. There are respected Tibetan lamas who have taught the Dorje Shugden practice including Lama Yeshe, Song Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche^[73] and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche^[74]. The reincarnation of Trijang Rinpoche called Trijang Chogtrul Rinpoche, still continues to practice Shugden and was even recognised by the oracle.^[75] On the other hand there are high-levels Lamas who warned on the dangers of that practice. According to the The Dolgyal Research Committee (Tibetan Government in Exile), prominent opponents include the 5th, 13th and current Dalai Lamas, the 5th and 8th Panchen Lamas, Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, the 14th and 16th Karmapas among others.^[76] Also Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, a Dzogchen master, "has been insisting on the importance of failing to appreciate the danger inherent in such cults".^[77]

Since 1998 Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and the NKT have disassociated themselves from their dispute with the Dalai Lama.^[78] Geshe Kelsang still continues to grant the empowerments of Dorje Shugden^[79]

[edit] Response of the NKT to criticism

In a general response to criticism of the New Kadampa Tradition, Geshe Kelsang has said:

We should concentrate on our own tradition and maintain the good qualities of our tradition, but we should always keep good relations with each other and never argue or criticize each other. What I would like to request is that we should improve our traditions while maintaining good relations with each other.[80]

[edit] Different views on NKT

Bluck offered different angles on how NKT can be viewed at. He suggested:

• The NKT could be viewed from outside as a movement aiming at what Titmus (1999: 91) called ‘conversion and empire-building’, with a dogmatic and superior viewpoint, ‘narrow-minded claims to historical significance’, intolerance of other traditions and ‘strong identification with the leader or a book’.
• A more scholarly external view might emphasize instead the enthusiasm, firm beliefs, urgent message and ‘charismatic leadership’ which Barker (1999: 20) saw as characteristic of many NRMs.
• An alternative picture from inside the movement would include a wish to bring inner peace to more people, based on a pure lineage of teaching and practice, with faith and confidence in an authentic spiritual guide.

About the possibly ways how to picture the NKT he said: "Our choice of interpretation may depend on how we engage with the other viewpoint, as well as the evidence itself, and until recently the NKT’s supporters and critics have largely ignored each other.”^[81]

[edit] References

[edit] Specific

[edit] General

• Kay, David N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation - The New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), and the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC), London and New York, ISBN 0-415-29765-6
• Book Review on "Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain..." by Inken Prohl, Free University of Berlin
• Belither, James. "Modern Day Kadampas: The History and Development of the New Kadampa Tradition". New Kadampa Tradition.
• Daniel Cozort (2003). The Making of Western Lama in "Buddhism in the Modern World", ISBN 0-19-514698-0,
• Bluck, Robert (2006). British Buddhism Teachings, Practice and Development. RoutledgeCurzon, ISBN 0-415-39515-1
• Bunting, Madeleine (1996). Special Report - Shadow boxing on the path to Nirvana, The Guardian - London, [29]

[edit] External links

[edit] About the New Kadampa Tradition

• Official kadampa.org NKT website
• Modern Day Kadampas: The History and Development of the New Kadampa Tradition
• BBC on NKT
• 'Beliefs of a Kadampa Buddhist' - NKT at BBC
• New Kadampa Tradition on About.com
• Geshe Kelsang talks about the NKT Study Programs
• NKT and Science - An individual perspective

[edit] Reviews of NKT Courses

• Retreat Guide from Daily Telegraph
• Account of weekend retreat in The Guardian

[edit] Critical of NKT

• The Independent, London: Battle of the Buddhists by Andrew Brown
• The Guardian - London: Special Report - Shadow boxing on the path to Nirvana
• Internal conflicts in Tibetan Buddhist sect, by Mike Wilson
• Cult Information Centre (CIC) London - some articles
• Spiritual Split by Colman Jones
• Movements In British Buddhism by Ken Jones - a founder and the present secretary of the UK Network of Engaged Buddhists