Gen Kelsang Tilopa
Gen Tilopa was ordained by Ven Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 1998 in Manjushri Buddhist Center in Cumbria England. He was immediately appointed as resident teacher of Pamtingpa Buddhist Center in his home town of Dundee, Scotland. In 2000 Ven Geshe-la requested Gen Tilopa to move to Atlanta to become the resident teacher in Rameshori Buddhist Center. While in Atlanta, Gen Tilopa regularly taught in Asheville NC and Columbia SC, and gave day courses in Chattanooga, Tennesee. In 2001 Gen Tilopa moved residence to Asheville to focus on spreading Kadampa Buddhist teachings in North Carolina. Whilst teaching in Asheville giving classes, meditation workshops, and bookstore talks, he traveled throughout the state giving teachings at the request of various students in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. As a result, there are now three established centers with Sangha communities at Je Tsongkhapa Buddhist Center in Asheville, Kosala Buddhist Center in Chapel Hill, and the Kadampa Meditation Center in Charlotte.
KADAMPA BUDDHISM IN NORTH CAROLINA
In April 2000-2001 Gen Tilopa while Resident Teacher in Rameshori Center in Atlanta, also taught at a branch of Rameshori in Asheville.
In April 2001, Kadampa Buddhist teacher Ven 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 continued as the principal teacher. In July 2006 Vajradhara Buddhist Center located in the Cotswold area in Charlotte. And in August 2008 Kosala Buddhist Center relocated to Carrboro.
In Aug 2010, Vajradhara Buddhist Center moved to Atherton Lofts, South Boulevard, in Charlotte.
In July 2016, Vajradhara Buddhist Center became Kadampa Meditation Center of North Carolina (KMC NC).
In March 2018, 528 East Boulevard formally opened as the permanent home of Kadampa Meditation Center of North Carolina, Center for Modern Buddhism
In March 2019, Ethan Lechner, one of Gen Tilopa’s longtime students was appointed as the 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.
