• Introduction
• ITP Projects Worldwide
• Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• How you can help

International Temples Project

ITP Projects Worldwide

A Kadampa Buddhist Temple is a special, holy place, where we can receive blessings and powerful imprints on our minds that lead to deep inner peace in the future.

Many Kadampa Temples are being built around the world as part of the International Temples Project.

Kadampa Buddhist Temples take many forms. Some are custom built according to a special design developed by Geshe Kelsang based on traditional Buddhist architecture, such as the Mother Temple at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England and the Temples in New York, and São Paulo.

Others are adapted from existing buildings acquired for Kadampa Meditation Centers around the world, such as the Temples in Toronto, Le Mans, Berlin, Zurich, Texas, and Melbourne. Yet others are incorporated within Hotel Kadampas, such as those in Málaga and Tuscany.

Many more Temples are planned throughout the world.

Whatever form they take, Kadampa Temples are holy places open to everyone to enjoy. They are Pure Lands in our troubled world – offering doorways to inner peace for all who visit them.

Manjushri KMC ~ The Mother Center

Manjushri KMC is host to the annual NKT Spring and Summer Festivals in the first Kadampa Temple, which are attended by thousands of people from all over the world.

2008 saw the opening of the custom built Kadampa Studio at Manjushri KMC, where statues and adornments will be made for Kadampa Buddhist Temples across the globe. This is just one of many international projects now based at Manjushri KMC that service Kadampa centers around the world.

And with the Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Khyenrab, who is the Deputy Spiritual Director of the NKT, teaching TTP and GP, as well as special weekend courses for the public, the Spiritual Program flourishes.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Australia

With its beautiful grounds, boasting exotic flora and fauna and even a stretch of rain forest, KMC Australia is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy a meditation course or retreat.

The center now hosts regular courses and retreats led by the Resident Teacher and NKT National Spiritual Director of Australia, Gen Kelsang Rabten, and other Teachers from Kadampa Centers in Australia and New Zealand, while making some impressive improvements to the facilities for those who attend.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Brazil

Work has continued apace on what is the largest Kadampa Temple to date with the exterior of the building almost complete, extensive work on the grounds, and teams of artists working to prepare the statues and many adornments for the new Temple.

The Temple is scheduled to be opened March 2010.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC California

With Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong, the NKT National Spiritual Director of America, as Resident Teacher, it is no surprise that KMC California has been pulling the crowds this past year.

Numerous courses, empowerments, and public talks by Gen-la combined with the energy and hospitality of the Kadampa sangha – not to mention home made blueberry pancakes beneath the bougainvillea in the California sun – have ensured that hundreds and hundreds of people have enjoyed the delights of Kadam Dharma in LA this year.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Canada

The building on Crawford Street in Toronto is being extensively remodelled as it is transformed into the Canadian National Kadampa Temple.

During 2008 much progress was made on the main Meditation Hall, and in transforming the basement into offices and community area.

Right now the front wall has been remodelled and the stained glass windows have been replaced with golden glass. . .

Meanwhile the Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Thekchen, nourishes the spiritual community with classes and courses held at temporary locations around the city.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC France

KMC France made tremendous progress with its reconstruction project and was formerly opened in a Blessing Ceremony led by Venerable Geshe-la in October 2008. Teams of Kadampas worked extremely hard to complete the work on the Meditation Hall, public rooms and visitor accommodation.

View KMC France Blessing Ceremony

What a perfect setting!

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Florida

KMC Florida is the site of what will be the first Kadampa City Temple for World Peace built to the traditional design in the Western world.

With the ground work now complete and the planning application at an advanced stage, preparations are under way to begin construction on this auspicious project.

Meanwhile, the new Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Demo, continues to gather and inspire students with her wonderful teachings and energetic example.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Germany

Though there is still much to be done to complete the project at KMC Germany, the Meditation Hall is now ready to use and the sound of Dharma resounds throughout the castle as the Resident Teacher and NKT National Spiritual Director of Germany, Gen Kelsang Ananda, resumes the teaching program after a lull for construction work.

If the recent open day is anything to go by, with hundreds of people flocking to the castle to find out more about the work of KMC Germany, it promises to be a very popular place!

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Italy

KMC Italy is based at Hotel Kadampa Italy in the Tuscan town of Montecatini, which has been providing a unique service to thousands of visitors throughout the year.

The Meditation Hall has been completed and now hosts regular classes and courses with the Resident Teacher, Kelsang Ringyal.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Mexico

Under the skillful guidance of their Resident Teacher and NKT National Spiritual Director of Mexico, Gen Kelsang Kunsang, the Mexican Sangha have gone from strength to strength this year, with every aspect of KMC Mexico’s activities flourishing.

The infectious joy and enthusiasm of the Sangha is a constant source of inspiration for the literally hundreds of people who attend the courses and retreats at the center.

And as for their Dharma Shop and World Peace Cafe . . . well only a visit can do them justice!

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC New York

Like a jewel in the crown of Kadam Dharma in America, the resplendent Kadampa Temple at KMC New York hosts Festivals, Dharma Celebrations, courses, and retreats throughout the year.

A program of continuous improvement means that visitors enjoy better and better conditions, and extraordinary service from the dedicated Sangha.

KMC New York is a power house of auspicious projects serving Kadam Dharma in North America, not least among them Tharpa Publications US and the dedicated team of artists.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Singapore

Since the building was acquired just after the Fall Festival last year, work has continued preparing the new Meditation Hall, World Peace Cafe and other facilities for the public to enjoy.

The main statues have been delivered from the Studio at Manjushri KMC and have been filled and painted by local Kadampa artists in readiness for being installed in the new shrine.

Meanwhile, under the new Resident Teacher, Kelsang Chowang, a full program of courses is being offered to the people of Singapore.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Spain

KMC Spain is located in Hotel Kadampa Spain, near the Andalusian town of Malaga.

With a well-established reputation for warm hospitality and friendly service, it is the perfect location both for a relaxing break and for a Dharma course or retreat.

The center hosts Festivals and Dharma Celebrations as well as courses and retreats led by the Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Rigden, and other Teachers from centers throughout Spain.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Switzerland

KMC Switzerland has a longstanding tradition of dedicated students applying themselves both to the study and practice of Kadam Dharma and to helping with activities to spread the Dharma throughout Switzerland and beyond.

Under their new Resident Teacher and NKT National Spiritual Director of Switzerland, Gen Losang Kelsang, the center is flourishing, drawing more and more people to discover the beneficial applications of Kadam Dharma to their daily lives.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Texas

You wouldn’t expect Texans to do things by halves, and KMC Texas is no exception!

In 2008 they waded into a major project to convert the existing building into a qualified Kadampa Temple with extraordinary enthusiasm, and as you can see from their photo-newletters, they are moving at a dizzying pace!

But despite all the disruption, at the end of each day they clean up the place, put up partitions, set up a temporary shrine and roll back the teaching throne so that their Resident Teacher, Kelsang Jampa, can continue to inspire them with his wonderful teachings.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

KMC Washington

KMC Washington, is a pulsating hub of meaningful activity in the beautiful city of Seattle.

Under the guidance of their Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Khedrub, the center offers a huge program of courses, retreats and special events, including a highly successful Dharma for Kids program, for people from throughout the region.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

Tharpaland IRC

What a special place Tharpaland International Retreat Centre is!

Situated in the wooded hills of Dumfrieshire, Scotland, with a commanding view of the plains below, it has the unique distinction of being the place where Venerable Geshe Kelsang demonstrated the manner of doing a three-year retreat.

Today it is a flourishing retreat center offering facilities for regular guided group retreats as well as long-term solitary retreats under the guidance of their Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Tharchin.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

Kailash IRC

Last, but by no means least, we come to Kailash International Retreat Centre, which must win the prize for the most dramatic views!

With breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, miles of peaceful mountain trails, not to mention exquisite Swiss cuisine, Kailash IRC promises to become a popular destination once the work is finished and the center opens its doors to the first retreaters under the guidance of the new Resident Teacher, Kelsang Palden.

Find out more and view their photo-newsletters

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