Editing New Kadampa Tradition (section)

===Teachers===
[[Image:Tsongkhapa.jpg|right|frame|Je Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa), founder of the [[Gelug]] school, in the fifth vision of Khedrub Jey (Mkhas-'grub)]]
The NKT-IKBU traces its spiritual lineage from [[Shakyamuni]] through [[Tsongkhapa]], [[Pabongkhapa Déchen Nyingpo]], [[Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso]], and [[Kelsang Gyatso]].<ref>"Requests to the Field for Accumulating Merit and the Lamrim Lineage Gurus", ''Essence of Good Fortune'' sadhana, ''Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment''. Ulverston, England: Tharpa Publications. pp. 587–588</ref><ref>"Prayers of Request to the Mahamudra Lineage Gurus", ''Great Liberation'' sadhana, ''Tantric Grounds and Paths: How to Begin, Progress on, and Complete the Vajrayana Path''. London: Tharpa Publications. p. 230</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bluck|2006|pp=140–141}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Kay|2004|pp=46, 57, 90}}</ref> The NKT often compares Kelsang Gyatso to [[Atisa]], as a reformer of Buddhism.{{sfn|Hertog|2018}}

As in other Tibetan traditions, the NKT considers Kelsang Gyatso a [[Buddha]] or enlightened being.{{sfn|Waterhouse|1997|p=187}} According to ''[[Oxford Biographies]]'', Kelsang Gyatso is presented as the third and final Buddha in a sequence beginning with Shakyamuni and Je Tsongkhapa. [[Dorje Shugden]] is considered the protector of this lineage.{{sfn|Sparham|2020}} David Kay has criticised the exclusivity of Kelsang Gyato's teachings and his emphasis on the purity of lineage, saying: "The NKT presented his books as the emanations of the mind of a Buddha."{{sfn|Hertog|2018}}

====Kelsang Gyatso====
{{main|Kelsang Gyatso}}

After leaving Tibet in 1959, Kelsang Gyatso taught and engaged in retreat in India for 18 years.<ref name="Cozort, Daniel 2003 p. 230"/> [[Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso|Trijang Rinpoche]], Kelsang Gyatso's [[Guru#In Buddhism|root guru]], asked him to be the resident teacher at [[Manjushri Institute]] (now known as Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre) in England.<ref>Gyatso, Kelsang. (2000). ''Eight steps to happiness: The Buddhist way of loving kindness. London: Tharpa Publications''. p. 16.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cozort|2003|pp=225, 230}}</ref> Kelsang Gyatso taught the General Programme at Manjushri from 1976 to 1987.{{sfn|Kay|2004|pp=56, 73}}

Beginning in 1987, Kelsang Gyatso entered a 3-year [[Retreat (spiritual)|retreat]] at Tharpaland in [[Dumfries]], Scotland. During his retreat, he wrote five books and established the foundations of the NKT-IKBU.<ref name="Bluck, R. 2006 p. 130"/> He officially launched the NKT in 1991.<ref>[http://www.kadampa.org/en/centers ''Kadampa Centers'']. NKT-IKBU official website. Retrieved 7 December 2008.</ref>

Kelsang Gyatso died on 17 September 2022. Ten days after his death, he was cremated at Barrow Crematorium, [[Cumbria]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT-IKBU) |url=https://info-buddhism.com/geshe_kelsang_gyatso.html |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=info-buddhism.com |language=en}}</ref>

====Other teachers====

Alongside Kelsang Gyatso, who as founder and former spiritual director was the main teacher of the NKT-IKBU and his successors, all teachings (i.e. the three study programs) are held by Western students—lay persons and ordained alike. Qualification as an NKT-IKBU Dharma teacher is generally achieved by attending the NKT-IKBU's own Teacher Training Programme, which Kelsang Gyatso regarded as "a western equivalent to the traditional Tibetan [[Geshe]] degree", although much compressed.<ref>{{harvnb|Cozort|2003|pp=231–232}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Waterhouse|1997|p=166}}</ref>

Kelsang Gyatso is one of several prominent Tibetan Buddhist gurus to train Westerners in the Dharma.<ref>{{harvnb|Cozort|2003|pp=221–222}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Kay|2004|p=95}}</ref> Kelsang Gyatso explained the importance of Western Dharma teachers to the flourishing of Dharma in the world, saying that one fully qualified teacher is worth a thousand enlightened students.<ref>{{harvnb|Waterhouse|2001|p=142}}</ref> The training programme may include a period of correspondence learning, with an intensive in-person programme each summer at Coniston Priory.<ref name="Bluck, R. 2006 p. 146"/><ref name="Cozort 2003 234"/>

Training and leadership roles are offered to lay members as well as ordained members, which Kelsang Gyatso saw as a necessary adaptation from the practices of Tsongkhapa, who restricted tantric teachings to monastics.<ref>{{harvnb|Kay|2004|p=85}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Bluck|2006|p=146}}</ref> Kelsang Gyatso said that monks, nuns, and lay people can all become spiritual guides if they have the necessary experience, qualities and training.<ref>Kelsang Gyatso. (1992). ''Great treasury of merit: How to rely upon a spiritual guide''. Ulverston, U.K.: Tharpa Publications. p. 1.</ref>

In addition to the TTP commitment, all Resident Teachers have to attend International Teacher Training Program each year, taught in repeated rotation according to a sixteen-year study scheme. Ordained and lay Resident Teachers who have taught successfully for four years are given the titles 'Gen' and 'Kadam', respectively.{{sfn|Bluck|2006|p=146}}