Buddhism & the lineage of Buddhist Teachings

What is Buddhism?

Buddhism, or Buddhadharma, is Buddha's teachings and the inner experience or realisations of these teachings. Buddha gave 84 000 teachings. All these teachings and the inner realisations of them constitute Buddhism.

The founder of Buddhism in this world was Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India some two and a half thousand years ago. Since then millions of people around the world have followed the pure spiritual path he revealed.

Buddha explained that all our problems and suffering arise from confused and negative states of mind, and all our happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful and positive states of mind.

Lasting peace and happiness

Buddha taught methods for gradually overcoming minds such as anger, jealousy and ignorance, and developing positive minds such as love, compassion and wisdom. Through this we will come to experience lasting peace and happiness. These methods work for anyone, in any country, in any age. Once we have gained experience of them for ourselves we can pass them on to others so they, too, can enjoy the same benefits.

The Buddhist way of life - peace, loving kindness and wisdom - is just as relevant today as it was when Buddha appeared in ancient India.

Buddhist Lineage

The lineage of these teachings, both their oral transmission and blessings, have been passed from teacher to disciple in an unbroken lineage of scripture and realisation. They carry with them what is know as 'lineage blessings.' Receiving direct teachings or 'oral transmission' from an authentic Kadampa Buddhist teacher enables us to practice the teachings successfully.

Buddha's teachings, which are known as 'Dharma,' are likened to a wheel that moves from country to country in accordance with changing conditions and people's karmic inclinations.

The presentation of Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuity of the unbroken lineage of realised practitioners.

This lineage of unbroken teachings and blessings was brought to England in 1977 by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.