Samden Gyatso

Samden Gyatso (Steve Wass) was the deputy Spiritual Director of the NKT and the Resident Teacher at Manjushri KMC, the Mother Center of Kadampa Buddhism, between the years 1995 through to 2006. He replaced the previous deputy Director, Thubten Gyatso (Neil Elliot).

In 1995 Geshe Kelsang provisionally appointed 4 'Gen-las', ie. Losang Kelsang, Kelsang Jangsem, Kelsang Dekyong and Samden Gyatso. After about a year, the former two resigned as Gen-las and were re-appointed as Resident Teachers. Samden Gyatso became the Deputy Spiritual Director and successor to Geshe Kelsang.

During these 11 years, Gen-la Samden Gyatso supervised the development of all NKT Centers throughout the world. He taught in Europe, Malaysia, Canada, Brazil, England, Australia, and the United States. Gen-la Samden led the International Teacher Training Program, the certified study program for all resident teachers of the tradition. Additionally, he regularly granted blessing empowerments, and gave Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments to students worldwide. His teachings were regarded for their clarity, humor, and great skill at relating to real-life experience. [ [http://www.aquarius-atlanta.com/dec02/buddha2.shtml Aquarius Metaphysical Newspaper/A Living Tradition ] ]

In February 2007 he resigned as Deputy Spiritual Director. From February 2007, Kelsang Khyenrab was appointed as his replacement and remains so to this day.

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