Kadampa Buddhism in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Buddhism is starting to take root in areas of the world that would have been impossible even a few years ago.

This is one of the advantages of Kadampa Buddhism. Because it is not tied to Tibetan culture and politics, it is able to adapt flexibly to different customs and lifestyles whilst providing the pure Dharma teachings of Buddha and Je Tsongkhapa.

And check out a photo story detailing an earlier trip.

Kadampa Blogs, Questionnaires and Videos

On a few NKT websites you can find questionnaires of Kadampa students who talk about how they first got interested in Kadampa Buddhism and then answer some interesting questions. Some examples:

Meditation in Florida Questionnaires (since 2003)

Meditation in San Francisco Questionnaires (since 2006)

It says on the homepage of the website, New Kadampa Truth:

The aim of the NKT is to introduce practical tools that can help people of all backgrounds solve problems and find happiness. As Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the General Spiritual Director, says:

“Our intention in teaching Dharma is not just to spread Buddhism. We are trying to help the people of this world by giving them special methods to solve their daily problems and to achieve the permanent happiness of liberation. In itself, the flourishing of Buddhadharma is not important unless it benefits others. This is the main purpose of Buddhism.”

These questionnaires offer a small taste of a large variety of NKT students from all different walks of life. These Buddhists are scattered all around the world – some living in Centers, most living outside and working regular jobs – and all trying their best to integrate Buddha’s teachings into daily life to find inner peace, solve daily problems, and help others.

There is also a growing number of personal blogs by Kadampas. For example:

Wisdom and Bliss

Making My Life Meaningful

This Mountain, That Mountain

Happy New Kadampa

A New Kadampa Buddhist

If you enjoy reading these questionnaires, stories and opinions, you are welcome to post your own to the Comments section