The Founder
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as ‘Venerable Geshe-la’, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher, he is a truly international Teacher who presents Buddha’s teachings in ways that anyone, regardless of nationality, culture or age can easily understand and apply to their modern daily lives. Through helping people to integrate the pure and life-transforming teachings of Buddha in their daily experience, Venerable Geshe-la has enabled them to solve their personal problems and to discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.
Inspired by his extraordinary vision, a global infrastructure of Temples, centres, books, teachings, meditation and teacher training programmes, for this and future generations, has arisen, creating a truly international Buddhist tradition that benefits all living beings equally and without discrimination.
Venerable Geshe-la is the Spiritual Guide of many thousands of people, whose hearts have been touched by his extraordinary wisdom and pure example. The legacy of his life’s work enriches and will continue to enrich the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures throughout the world.
The Teacher
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a retired General Spiritual Director of the NKT-IKBU, he has trained closely with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than forty years. His humility and pure example reflect his many years of reliance on his Spiritual Guide. He is greatly admired as a sincere practitioner and a powerful Teacher. He is also well-known for his wisdom and deep understanding of Buddha's teachings, and for his pure example of compassion and loving-kindness.
Upcoming Lectures
Who was Buddha?
Friday 14th March 7:30-9:00pm
In general, 'Buddha' means 'Awakened one', someone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and sees things as they really are. A Buddha is a person who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions. There are many people who have become Buddhas in the past, and all living beings will become Buddhas in the future.
The Buddha who is the founder of the Buddhist religion is called Buddha Shakyamuni. 'Shakya' is the name of the royal family into which he was born, and 'Muni' means 'Able One'. Buddha Shakyamuni was born as a royal prince in 624 BCE in a place called Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. His mother's name was Queen Mayadevi and his father's name was King Shuddodhana.
Gen la Kelsang Khyenrab will explain about the 'historical' Buddha and the real nature of Buddha so we can understand his transcendent nature and see why he became the founder of this great world religion.
Sacred Sounds - Mantra practice and Buddhism
Friday 20th June 7:30-9:00pm
The ancient teachings of Buddhism contain many mantras which are recommended for a vast range of purposes withing various practices; they are powerful techniques to help purify and control our mind, overcome sickness, heal the delusions of anger, attachment and ignorance and achieve union with a deity. They are practical methods to improve mental health.
The word 'mantra' literally means 'mind protection'. The written letters of a mantra are a visible representation of a spoken mantra; without the sound of the mantra there would be no written mantra. And then a deeper explanation can be found in the book Tantric Grounds and Paths.
Gen la Kelsang Khyenrab will explain this through his long experience of transmitting the power of mantras with the permission of his Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche showing how we can use them in daily life.
Buddhist Thought and Feeling
Friday 18th July 7:30-9:00pm
Overnighter @ Tara!
Why not enjoy an overnight stay with us? Relax into the beautiful environment as well as enjoy the World Peace Cafe and Tharpa Book store and gift shop. Breakfast is also available!