About Us

Who we are

KMC Southampton is a Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Centre that offers a special presentation of Buddha’s teachings for the modern world. Regardless of age, race, gender or faith, anyone can benefit from Buddha’s advice on wisdom and compassion.

Kadampa Buddhism was introduced to modern society by the contemporary meditation master Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. Due to his pioneering work, there are now around 1,200 similar Kadampa Meditation Centres worldwide.

Our meditation centre in Southampton is a special welcoming place of tranquillity, relaxation, reflection and friendship. It's home to an international Kadampa Buddhist community who share a similar wish to make their lives meaningful by finding lasting peace and happiness from within and helping others to do the same.

What we offer

We offer a variety of meditation classes for beginners to more experienced meditators. If you're interested in learning and improving your meditation skills, then we have a class for you, including:

Drop-in daytime and evening classes
Day and half day meditation workshops
Meditation retreats
Modern Buddhism study programmes
Weekly meditation classes in Southampton
Classes in many other locations, including Winchester, Bournemouth, Chichester, New Forest, Petersfield and Wickham
Meditation at work for companies and groups

Our Founder

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche (Geshe-la)

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, founder of NKT-IKBU, was a truly remarkable person. Geshe-la, as he is affectionately known, was a fully accomplished meditation master who dedicated his life to spreading Buddha’s instructions on how to train and control the mind, so busy Westerners can gain mental peace, whether Buddhist or non-Buddhist.

He was the founder of Kadampa Meditation Centre Southampton, as well as the founder of over 1,200 Kadampa Centres worldwide. Through his teachings and writings, he has presented the path of wisdom and compassion in practical ways that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can solve their daily problems. He has written 23 highly acclaimed books that explain the path to enlightenment in ways modern people can understand easily.

General Spiritual Director

Gen-la Jampa

Gen-la Jampa is an internationally renowned, ordained Buddhist teacher and the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU).

As a senior NKT teacher, Gen-la Jampa has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and under Geshe-la's guidance has taught at many centers and events around the world.

Gen-la is well-loved for his clear and inspiring teachings and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his sincerity and loving-kindness.

UK NKT Spiritual Director

Kadam Bridget Heyes

Kadam Bridget Heyes is the NKT-IKBU National Spiritual Director for the UK. She is known for her powerful teachings, compassionate heart and deep understanding of Buddha’s wisdom advice. Her teachings are exceptionally clear and she presents profound ideas in a way that are easy to practise and integrate into daily life.

As a mother of two, she has a special insight into how to bring Buddhism alive to meet the demands of a busy modern life. Kadam Bridget shows an inspiring example for everyone on the spiritual path. She is Resident Teacher at Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre.

Gen Leksang teaching image- brighter for kmcs

Our Resident Teacher

Gen Kelsang Leksang

Gen Kelsang Leksang is an ordained Buddhist nun and the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Southampton. She has been practising meditation and Buddhism for over 25 years under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

Appreciated for her caring and positive manner, she has the ability to inspire people to improve their own lives by showing how Buddha’s teachings are relevant to the experiences of modern-day people.

Gen Leksang teaches weekly classes, workshops and the study programmes, and guides meditation retreats in Southampton and the surrounding area. She has many years of teaching experience and is also regularly invited to teach at other Kadampa Meditation Centres.

Our teachers

We have a wonderful experienced team who teach our branch classes, workshops and meditation classes at the city centre and other locations. All are qualified Kadampa meditation teachers and study on the Kadampa Teacher Training Programme.