North London Interfaith Events

Our aim is to break through barriers of ignorance and prejudice so that harmonious living in a multifaith society becomes a reality.

The New Kadampa Tradition

Talk by Kelsang Dondrup 13th February 2007

Kelsang Dondrup has been a monk of the New Kadampa tradition for the past 12 years. He regularly teaches meditation classes.

Kadampa is a Tibetan word (Ka=word, dam=stages on the path (to enlightenment). This is a type of Buddhism that was founded in the 11 th century by Atisha. It began to spread rapidly in the west after 1976 when Geshe Kelsang Gyatso came to Britain.

Buddhism teaches tolerance; we should try to do good things and avoid bad things.

Nowadays people are more stressed than years ago. If we look at modern developments, we ask ourselves if they have brought us happiness or given us more peace of mind. They have not. For this reason NKT emphasises meditation, which can help people of any religion, not only Buddhists, to achieve peace of mind.

Buddhists are not against material things, but material things do not bring peace of mind.

The Buddha taught us how to examine our mind, to consider what produces misery and unhappiness. We should aim to reduce the negative mind and enhance the positive mind.

We all want to keep our body fit and healthy. What about our mind? A negative state of mind can cause physical problems as well as destroying our peace of mind.

Buddhists also try to help others. To be able to help others and achieve a peaceful mind, we need to receive PURE instructions from our teacher, to understand the PURE teachings of the Buddha.

Besides the lineage of scripture there is also be a lineage of realisation (an oral tradition). Masters of the tradition gained experience of these teachings. Our attitude to other faiths should be one of co-existence, mutual respect. We should live and let live. We should focus on our own faith without being judgmental towards other religions. In Buddhism there are different traditions and a debate about what is right. This can lead to disharmony. NKT says let people follow their own traditions; let us all follow our own faith.

Don’t worry about what other religions do. Practice your own religion purely.

Kelsang Dondrup led the group in a 15 minute meditation.