Special Events
Workshops, Retreats, and so much more.
Sun, Dec 31: 11am – 2pm
Free New Years Eve Talk – Meditating Your Way to a Meaningful life
+ sangha social
January Retreat Series
Through retreats we gain deep experience of meditations that will nourish us throughout the year.
Free Meditations and Pujas
Essential self-guided, chanted meditations for deepening our practice.
| address | 4342 E Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea FL 33308 (map) |
| phone | (954) 372-7481 |
| kmcfortl@gmail.com | |
| hours | Sunday: 11:30 am – 2 pm | Wednesday: 11 am – 12 pm | Thursday: 6 pm – 7 pm | Saturday: 9:30 am – 2 pm (on event dates) |
Sign up for our email newsletter!
Daily Agenda
(954) 372-7481 | 4342 E Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea FL 33308 map >
KMC Fort Lauderdale offers an extensive program of day courses, meditation classes, study programs and retreats where you can develop mindfulness and learn meditation techniques. The methods and practices taught at the Center are suitable for all individuals, whatever your level of interest. Following Buddha’s special advice, we can relax our mind, find a deep and lasting inner peace, and become of greater benefit to others.
We want to be happy all the time, even during sleep. How can we do this? We can do this through training in meditation because meditation makes our mind peaceful, and when our mind is peaceful we are happy all the time, even if our external conditions are poor. On the other hand, when our mind is not peaceful we are not happy, even if our external conditions are excellent.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind
Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Jindak has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 20 years. Ordained as a Buddhist nun in 2003, she was given the name Kelsang Jindak, which means “Fortunate Benefactor”. She has many years of experience teaching and volunteering at Kadampa Centers around the U.S. Gen Jindak has a clear, joyful teaching style and presents Kadampa Buddhism practically, for both beginners and experienced meditators alike.
Meditation Teachers
Dawn Jackson lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast and was previously active with KMC Long Island. With over 20 yrs of experience, she’s taught general program meditation classes, the Foundation Program, and classes for children and teens. Her encouraging, joyful style makes it easy to learn how to apply Buddha’s teachings to our daily lives so that everything we do becomes a meaningful practice. Port St. Lucie class >
Michele Souter has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism on the Teacher Training Program for many years. She has an insightful sensitivity for the needs of people, and a kind, loving way of making others feel comfortable and cherished. As a teacher, she skillfully introduces meditation and basic Buddhist ideas and practices to newcomers. Wed Lunchtime class >
Star Sandow has been practicing meditation and Kadampa Buddhism for over 25 years. She served for many years as the Resident Teacher at KMC Long Island, and has taught in NYC, Boston and the Kadampa Temple in Glen Spey. Star is appreciated for her gentle, kind, warm-hearted teaching style, and she helps students discover profound meaning and joy in their Dharma practice.
Rae Landers has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2015, studies on our Teacher Training Program, and has attended many Kadampa festivals and retreats. She’s known for her gentle, and compassionate approach to teaching, helping students find peace and joy in their practice. Beach Meditation >
Duane Butler has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism for many years and studies in our Foundation Program. He is currently co-teaching our Sunday morning meditation classes. He’s very knowledgeable and passionate in his presentation of Dharma, and includes real-life, relatable examples in his teachings.
Frank DeLeo has practiced meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2009, studies in our Foundation Program, and has attended many Kadampa festivals and retreats over the years. He’s appreciated for giving practical teachings with real-life examples, and teaches with warmth and enthusiasm.
Florida Centers
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The Founder of Modern Kadampa Buddhism is Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, affectionately known as Venerable Geshe-la, a world-renowned meditation master and Teacher. He inspired thousands of people around the world to apply the pure teachings of Buddha to their modern lives to solve their personal problems and discover a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. Today, the legacy of his life’s work touches the lives of people of all nationalities and cultures.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche devoted his entire life to making the pure teachings of Buddha available in a modern form to people throughout the world. Now Venerable Geshe-la’s followers holding him at their hearts continue his work with auspicious projects in every region of the world.
Read about Venerable Geshe-la’s life >
Kadampa Brochure 2023 >
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition
Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong is a modern Buddhist nun dedicated to helping people from all walks of life attain lasting happiness through developing inner peace. She’s the Principal Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC and International Retreat Center, and has been a student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for more than thirty years. Gen-la has inspired thousands of people through her sincere reliance on her Spiritual Guide, her tireless dedication to helping Kadam Dharma flourish throughout the world, and her clear and accessible teachings.
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa
Deputy Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition
Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the Resident Teacher of International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. He is dedicated to helping people solve their daily problems by developing the capacity of their mind through the practice of meditation and modern Buddhism. Gen-la Jampa is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings, and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving kindness.
Kadam Morten Clausen
Eastern US National Spiritual Director
Kadam Morten is the Resident Teacher at the Kadampa Meditation Center New York City.
Gen.Kelsang Demo
Midwest US National Spiritual Director
Gen Demo is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC.
Gen.Kelsang Rigpa
Western US National Spiritual Director
Gen Rigpa is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Hollywood.
Free eBooks!
Why Meditate?
The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful.
If we examine our life we will discover that most of our time and energy is devoted to mundane activities, such as seeking material and emotional security, enjoying sensory pleasures, or establishing a good reputation. Although these things can make us happy for a short time, they are not able to provide the deep lasting contentment that we long for. Sooner or later our happiness turns into dissatisfaction, and we find ourselves engaged in the pursuit of more worldly pleasures.
Directly or indirectly, worldly pleasures cause us mental and physical suffering by stimulating attachment, jealousy, and frustration. Moreover, seeking to fulfill our own desires often bring us into conflict with others. If true fulfillment cannot be found in worldly pleasures, then where can it be found? Happiness is a state of mind, therefore the real source of happiness lies in the mind, not in external circumstances.
The method to make our mind pure and peaceful is to train in meditation.
Activities Calendar
Drop-In Meditation Classes | Free Activities | Special Events & Study Programs (Click on any activity for more details.)