These were then transmitted through a lineage of realized Buddhist Masters, including the Indian Buddhist Master Atisha, the founder of the Old Kadampa Tradition, and the Tibetan Buddhist Masters, Je Tsongkhapa and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the root Spiritual Guide, or Guru, of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally
renowned teacher of Buddhism. Geshe-la, as he is
affectionately called by his students, is primarily responsible for
the worldwide revival of Kadampa Buddhism in our time.
From the age of eight Geshe-la studied extensively in the great monastic
universities of Tibet and earned the title ‘Geshe’, which literally
means ‘spiritual friend’.
Under the guidance of his Spiritual Guide, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, he then spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas.
In 1977 he accepted an invitation to teach at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England, where he has lived and taught ever since, giving teachings and guidance to an ever-growing group of disciples.
Each year, Geshe-la gives teachings and empowerments at the International Kadampa Festivals, which are attended by thousands of people from all over the world. He has published a series of remarkable books on Buddhism and meditation, from basic introductory books to advanced philosophical texts and meditation manuals.
Geshe-la has established three unique study programs and 1100 centers and groups around the world, trained hundreds of qualified Teachers and a flourishing ordained community, and created a project to build Buddhist Temples in every major city in the world. In his teachings Geshe Kelsang emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, the need to be truly happy, and how to cultivate a good heart to help others — and he demonstrates these qualities perfectly in his own life.
This remarkable Teacher inspires so many people from so many different countries because he teaches from example. He is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people throughout the world find true happiness in their hearts.
Potala Kadampa Buddhist Centre is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union and was founded in 1997 by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It has since then served as a source of guidance and inspiration for those of us who wish to find true happiness in our busy lives.
One of Potala Centre's most important functions is to provide the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland with an opportunity to deal with our daily problems and find inner peace. Buddha's teachings are very practical in their presentation and offer helpful advice for all, regardless of whether you are a beginner or not. We all have within us our own source of inner peace, we just have to learn how to find it! Everybody is welcome to attend Potala Centre's classes and chanted prayers, no matter what level you are at. Come and just enjoy!
Our Resident Teacher at Potala Centre is Kelsang Chitta. Her meditation classes are both relaxing and also full of practical advice on how to find happiness in our daily lives.