The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History

The Akanista Buddhist Center, established in 1999, is the Madison branch of an international organization by the same name. This organization was created by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, leader of the New Kadampa Tradition (a conservative faction of the Tibetan Buddhist Gelukpa school), to provide dharma teachings and meditation instruction to any and all interested parties. The Resident Teacher in Madison is Gen Kelsang Drubwang, one of Kelsang Gyatso’s students.

Description

Gen Kelsang Drubwang holds guided meditation and dharma classes every Tuesday evening, in a room leased from the St. Francis House on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Attendance is variable, though the usual audience size might be estimated at near twenty individuals, and donations of four to seven dollars are requested. In addition to local teachings, the New Kadampa Tradition offers retreats such as the North American Kadampa Festival of the fall of 2001. The festival was a week long series of teachings, empowerments, and meditations. The group also provides extensive training outside of Madison for serious practitioners, and for teachers such as Gen Kelsang Drubwang.

Activities and Schedule

Meditation and Dharma Instruction is on Tuesdays at 7:30 P.M.