About Us
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A Non-Profit Organization
A non-profit organisation, Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada was established in 2005 by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche to provide the people of Toronto and the surrounding areas with the opportunity to learn how to meditate and practise Buddha’s teachings. By learning and practising meditation and Buddha’s teachings, everyone can find pure and authentic inner peace, and solve their daily problems caused by painful states of mind.
From classes for beginners to in-depth study programs, there is something for everyone. You do not have to be a Buddhist to attend our classes or to benefit from them. Everyone is welcome!
Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada is part of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union. We are a Registered Canadian Charity (Charity no. 861356970 RR0001).
An Oasis of Peace in the Heart of Toronto
Located in downtown Toronto's of Little Italy neighbourhood, Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada is the National Temple of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) of Canada, and an oasis of peace in the heart of the busy city.
Dedicated to Public Benefit
As a non-profit organization, all our activities are entirely run by volunteers. All profits generated through our activities are going to the International Temples Project (ITP) which is dedicated to public benefit. The scope and activities of the ITP are constantly evolving in response to the needs of the ever-changing demands of busy lives. It presently achieves its aim through developing and building traditional and non-traditional temples, meditation and retreat centres, and through the activities of World Peace Cafés and Tharpa Publications.
Our Teachers
National Spiritual Director
& Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Chodor is our National Spiritual Director in Canada and is also our Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada.
He has been ordained and has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than twenty-five years.
He has taught extensively in both the UK and the US, and is now teaching in Canada. He is admired by students because of his practical knowledge, warm presentations and authentic teachings, as well as his natural joy and sense of humour. He is skilled at putting everyone at ease and helping them solve their problems and anxieties with practical Dharma advice.
At Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, he usually teaches the Sunday morning class, the Tuesday evening class, the Wednesday morning class, as well as special events, courses and workshops and two in-depth study programmes; the Foundation Program and the Teacher Training Program.
General Spiritual Director
Gen-la Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union.
Pure Disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Gen-la has studied and practiced for many years with her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, from whom she received many transmissions.
International Teacher
As the most senior teacher in the tradition Gen-la teaches throughout the world at major events. She is a fully qualified teacher of both Sutra and Tantra and is greatly admired and deeply loved by thousands of people worldwide. Her teachings are profound and inspiring, and yet always extremely practical.
International Temples Project
Supporting the development of modern Kadampa Buddhism
A temple is one of the best ways of benefiting other living beings. It is the best form of public service.
— Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Temples for world peace
When Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche opened the first Temple for World Peace at Manjushri Centre in 1997, he expressed the wish to develop a modern Buddhist Temple in every major city of the world. To accomplish this and for many other purposes, he founded the International Temples Project (ITP).
Scope & activities
The scope and activities of the ITP are constantly evolving in response to the needs of the ever-changing demands of busy lives. It presently achieves its aim through developing and building traditional and non-traditional temples, meditation and retreat centres, and through the activities of World Peace Cafés and Tharpa Publications.
Dedicated to public benefit
All profits generated through the activities of the ITP are dedicated to public benefit through the continual development of this fund.
How to Build a Pure World
A video showing the development of Kadampa Buddhism worldwide through the kindness of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
Frequently Asked Questions
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No, you don't need to have any previous experience of meditation to attend. All our events are completely beginner friendly. Everyone is welcome.
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No, our classes are open to everyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist. Everyone is welcome.
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No, please feel free to drop in whenever you like. Attending the entire series of classes is highly beneficial, as each class builds on the next. However, each class is self-contained, which means that it is taught in such a way that if you only attend one class, you will derive benefit from it.
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We have chairs set out for you to sit on and also meditation cushions on the floor, so you can choose where you would like to sit.
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No special clothing is required. Come as you are.
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Nothing is required. But if you wish to take notes, please bring a pen and notepad.
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Classes and courses are live-streamed to current class pass holders who reside within the catchment area of the Centre. More info here.
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Your question doesn’t appear above? Send us an email: [email protected] and we will be more than happy to answer you.