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Kadam

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Kadam

(tib.: ka dam) A sutra and tantra school of Tibetan Buddhism founded in the 11th century by the great Indian scholar and yogi Lama Atisha (c. 982-1052) and his Tibetan disciple Dromtonpa (1005 - 1054). The school and its masters became known for applying strict ethics and Bodhisattva ideals in practice, remaining humble and often behaving in front of the others as simple monks, while miraculous signs at the time of their death revealed their true achievements. Atisha combined two lineages: from Manjushri via Nagarjuna (emphasizing emptiness) and from Maitreya via Asangha (emphasizing compassion). Atishas Lamp for the path to Enlightenment formed the basis of the later Gelug presentation of Lamrim. The main practice connected with the Kadampa school (at that time kept secret) is Lojong or mind training. Although the Kadampa school does not exist any more, its teachings are respected in all other traditions, in particular by the Gelugpa, which is also sometimes known as the new Kadam school (tib.: sar ma ka dam). (Note: This is not to be mixed by a controversial New Kadampa order, which is officially not recognized school of Tibetan Buddhism.

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