Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the founder of NKT, has dedicated his life to helping the people of this world find true happiness by developing inner peace, or peace of mind, through meditation and other practices.
He has designed an international education program that provides everyone regardless of nationality, age or gender with the opportunity to learn simple techniques for developing the capacity of their mind and eventually attaining the permanent inner peace of enlightenment. To date, this program has been implemented in over forty countries.
Geshe Kelsang’s compassionate intention is embodied in the International Temples Project (ITP), a unique international fund dedicated to public benefit. The ITP fosters the international development of a wide range of contemporary Buddhist institutions. These presently include Temples for World Peace, Kadampa Meditation Centers (KMCs), International Retreat Centers (IRCs), Kadampa Buddhist Centers (KBCs), World Peace Cafés, and Tharpa Publications. All these institutions provide a public service that exemplifies the Buddhist faith.
Each year, for example, tens of thousands of people visit the Temples, KMCs, KBCs and IRCs. Some attend courses and retreats to learn how to develop inner peace through meditation, while others go to view the holy objects and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. But whatever their reason for visiting, Geshe Kelsang has said that anyone who sees a Temple or the holy objects within will receive a special blessing that sows a seed of future peace and happiness in their mind.
All the International and National Festivals and Dharma celebrations presented here are hosted by KMCs and KBCs and many are held in the Temples for World Peace. The proceeds from all these courses are dedicated to public benefit through the ITP, so simply by attending them you are helping to bring peace into the hearts of this and future generations
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida
Kadampa Meditation Center Florida (KMCFL), located in Sarasota, is the main temple and spiritual home for the Florida centers. The temple hosts many special events throughout the year, such as the Florida Dharma Celebration. They welcome many visitors everyday who come for classes or simply want to stop in and see the beautiful shrine. The KMC Tampa Bay community regularly attends and helps at the temple’s events.