INTERNATIONAL TEMPLES PROJECT
Kadampa Temples
In 2006, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche opened the Kadampa World Peace Temple here at KMC New York. This temple was constructed largely by Kadampa builders and volunteers according to Venerable Geshe-la's design. One of only six Kadampa World Peace Temples in the entire world, this temple is a truly unique and blessed building. People travel from all over the world to take part in retreats and classes in this temple. Based on the mandala palace of Buddha Heruka, every aspect of the Temple teaches the spiritual path and encourages us to use our human life meaningfully.
When Venerable Geshe-la 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 many other purposes, he founded the International Temples Project (ITP). 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. All profits generated through the activities of the International Temples Project are dedicated to public benefit through the continual development of this fund.
There are three International Kadampa Festivals held each year are special spiritual gatherings that offer practitioners of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding and experience of Buddha’s teachings, receive powerful blessings, and connect with the global Kadampa community. The Spring and Summer Festivals each year are held at the Temple for World Peace at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in the UK. The Fall Festival moves around the world each year, and is often held in other Kadampa World Peace Temples.
These Festivals are more than just events. They are immersive spiritual experiences that give people the rare opportunity to step back from everyday life and focus deeply on their spiritual development. Run entirely by volunteers, they create a joyful, harmonious environment where everyone is working to improve their mind. Many describe the Festivals as a glimpse of what society could be like if we all practiced love, patience, and generosity — a truly inspiring vision of a better world.
