Gen Kelsang Tilopa
Gen Tilopa initially started teaching in Asheville giving bookstore talks and, and thereby he was requested to come visit other areas in North Carolina. Gen Tilopa traveled all over the state in the early 2000’s giving teachings at the request of various students in Raleigh, Asheville, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. Gen Tilopa has worked many years to help established centers with Sangha communities at Je Tsongkhapa Center in Asheville, and Kosala Buddhist Center in Chapel Hill.
KADAMPA BUDDHISM IN NORTH CAROLINA
IN April 2000-2001 Gen Tilopa started teaching a branch of Rameshori Buddhist Center in Asheville.
In April 2001, Kadampa Buddhist teacher Geshe Kelsang Gyatso established Kosala Center in Asheville, North Carolina and requested one of his senior students, Gen Kelsang Tilopa, to become the resident teacher.
In May 2004, Venerable Geshe’la established Vajradhara Buddhist Center in Charlotte and Gen Tilopa as the Resident Teacher. In June 2005 Kosala Buddhist Center moved to Chapel Hill and Gen Tilopa travelled to the center to continue as the principal teacher. In July 2006 they located Vajradhara Buddhist Center in Cotswold in Charlotte. And in August 2008 relocated Kosala Buddhist Center in Carrboro.
In Aug 2010, Vajradhara Buddhist Center moved to South Boulevard, Atherton Lofts in Charlotte.
In July 2016, Vajradhara Buddhist Center becomes Kadampa Meditation Center of North Carolina (KMC NC).
In March 2018, the 528 East Boulevard formally opened as the home of Kadampa Meditation Center North Carolina.
In in March 2019, Ethan Lechner, one of Gen Tilopa’s longtime students was appointed the new Resident Teacher for Kosala Buddhist Center.
Founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
The New Kadampa Tradition was founded by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso after he moved to the West in 1977 on the request of students in England seeking pure Buddhist teachings.
KMC NC is part of the New Kadampa Tradition
The International Kadampa Buddhist Union – The New Kadampa Tradition started at Manjushri Centre in England. There are more than 1400 centers throughout the world, in many different languages teaching Modern Kadampa Buddhism.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Modern Kadampa Buddhism is a special presentation of Buddha’s teachings for the modern world. It is open to everyone whether Buddhist or not regardless of nationality, age or gender.
