Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center196 W Hillcrest Drive # 89Thousand Oaks 91360

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche or Geshe-la, as he is affectionately called by his students, is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism. 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 Trijang Rinpoche, his Spiritual Guide he then spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas.

Geshe-la is the inspiration behind the revival of Kadampa Buddhism in our time. In 1976 he was invited to teach in England. Since arriving in the West, Geshe-la has given immaculate teachings on Kadampa Buddhism in Europe and North America, and published a series of remarkable books on Buddhist thought and meditation.

He has established three unique study programs and over 1,000 centers around the world, trained qualified western 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.

General Spiritual Director

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Gen-la Dekyong is NKT-IKBU General Spiritual Director, and the Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC.

An ordained Buddhist nun, she has been a student of Venerable Geshe-la for over thirty years, sincerely training under his guidance in all aspects of Kadam Dharma. She is recognized as a fully qualified Dharma Teacher of both Sutra and Tantra. She teaches at major events throughout the world.

Gen-la Dekyong's gentle nature and profoundly relevant teachings have touched the hearts of thousands of people around the world, inspiring them to integrate Buddha’s teachings into their modern daily lives and to find a peace and contentment that cannot be found elsewhere. For Kadampa practitioners, her good heart, powerful teachings, and sincere, inspiring example are unequaled.

Retired General Spiritual Director
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab

Gen-la Khyenrab is NKT Canada National Spiritual Director, the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, and a retired NKT-IKBU General Spiritual Director. An internationally renowned teacher and Buddhist monk, he is greatly admired for his powerful teachings as well as for his pure example of humility and loving-kindness. He has trained closely with Venerable Geshe-la for nearly thirty-five years.

Deputy Spiritual Director

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Jampa is NKT-IKBU Deputy Spiritual Director, and the Resident Teacher at IKRC Grand Canyon. He is an American Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people solve their daily problems by developing the capacity of their mind through the practice of meditation and modern Buddhism.

Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe-la for many years. Under the latter's guidance, he has taught at many centers and events internationally. He is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings, and for his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.

Rebecca Gauthier

Kadam Rebecca Gauthier, a Western lay practitioner, has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s guidance for over twenty years. Her heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through her kindness, humility and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings, Kadam Rebecca provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner we can follow.

In addition to leading many day courses, special events and retreats at Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center, Kadam Rebecca teaches Sunday Prayers for World Peace, Monday Evening General Program, and Lunchtime Meditations on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. She also teaches the Foundation Program, a systematic study program for those wishing to deepen their understanding of Buddha’s teachings.