Last night, I have visited Kadampa Buddhist Temple here in Toronto, a Mahayana Buddhist tradition founded by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, who has been resident in the West since 1977. The temple offers introductory meditation classes, Buddhist meditation classes, Buddhist study program, retreats and prayers. Since my previous association was with Mahayana school of Buddhism I felt very comfortable there and I plan to attend the rest of the classes this Fall.

Currently they have a 7-week series of classes, which started last night with a free public talk  from 7 – 8:30pm with Gen Kelsang Thekchen. These weekly classes are taught by western Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Thekchen, NKT National Spiritual Director and Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada.

Classes are based on Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, which I have not read yet, but I am planning on doing so. My understanding it that the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union has no political affiliations, their linage of Gurus start from Je Tsongkhapa to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso – both are Tibetan Lamas but the New Kadampa Tradition is not Tibetan Buddhism in itself, they are Western form of independent Buddhist tradition. The Teachings are based and derive from Buddha Teachings. And this is the most important part for me as I am not interested in politics when it comes to spirituality.

Last night’s Teachings were very pleasant, fun and informative. I really enjoy the atmosphere of the Temple itself. I have decided I will spend there some more time over the next few weeks attending the classes, getting to know the people and the Teacher himself. The Fall program looks like this:

Our happiness and suffering come from positive and negative states of mind.  Each week we will examine a particular negative mind that is the source our problems, and become familiar with its opposite; a positive mind that acts as a direct remedy for our stress and mental pain.

• September 7: Finding real solutions to our human problems
• September 14: Anger, Meet Patience
• September 21: Frustration, Meet Contentment
• September 28: Attachment, Meet Love
• October 5: Jealousy, Meet Rejoicing
• October 12: Selfishness, Meet Cherishing Others
• October 19: Confusion, Meet Wisdom