What is the NKT-IKBU?

The Manila Kadampa Buddhist Centre, being a branch of the Kadampa Meditation Centre Hong Kong (KMC HK), is part of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). It is an international association of Mahayana Buddhist study and meditation centres that follow the Kadampa Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. These Centres all follow the three New Kadampa Tradition Study Programmes  and are guided by a common code of moral discipline called the Internal Rules of the NKT-IKBU.

The first Kadampa Temple for World Peace

Although the lineage Gurus of the NKT from Je Tsongkhapa up to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso are Tibetan Lamas, the NKT is not Tibetan Buddhism. When the NKT became the International Kadampa Buddhist Union, which is legally registered under English law, it became a legally independent Buddhist tradition. The main reason why NKT-IKBU has chosen to become legally registered as an independent Buddhist tradition is because it was recognized that in Tibetan Buddhism there are so many political problems. These problems are due to the mixing of Dharma and politics, with higher Lamas using the holy Dharma of Buddha's teachings for political aims. The NKT wants the holy Dharma to be free from these political problems.


The purpose of the NKT-IKBU is to preserve and promote the essence of Buddha's teachings in a form that is suited to the modern world and way of life.


The NKT - IKBU studies and practises its own tradition purely but sincerely respects all other spiritual traditions. This attitude is encouraged by Geshe Kelsang in his teachings and writings, and is included in one of the internal rules of the NKT - IKBU.


The central office of NKT - IKBU is located at the Conishead Priory, Ulverston, Cumbria, England. This is also the location of Manjushri KMC, the spiritual home of Venerable Geshe Kelsang and the home of the first Kadampa Temple for World Peace. For more information, visit its website at nkt-kmc-manjushri.org.