Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa (KMC Ottawa) is a Buddhist centre at 879 Somerset Street West, near the corner of Preston Street, where Little Italy meets Chinatown. Since 1996 we have been offering meditation classes in Ottawa to anyone who wants to find more peace, kindness and clarity in daily life. The centre was founded under the direction of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and this year we are celebrating 30 years in the city.

We belong to the New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU), a worldwide community of Buddhist centres and groups. Founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the tradition presents Buddha’s teachings as modern Kadampa Buddhism: practical methods that help us solve our daily problems and develop inner peace, love, compassion and wisdom.

Our Resident Teacher is Gen Kelsang Thekchen, a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition who has been a Kadampa monk for more than 30 years. Students value the simple, practical and often humorous way he teaches. Gen Kelsang Chodor, our National Spiritual Director in Canada, also visits to teach.

You don’t need to be a Buddhist to come to a class or to benefit from one. Most people sit on chairs, and we have meditation cushions for anyone who prefers them. The centre also has a small bookshop and gift shop and a quiet reading area.

KMC Ottawa is a registered Canadian charity that receives no government funding. It is run entirely by volunteers and supported by class fees, memberships and donations. Our community is also exploring a possible move to a larger, fully accessible building at 499 Preston Street. You can read about that on our New Centre page.

To get in touch, call 613-234-4347 or email [email protected]. Everyone is welcome.

Explore

Our Centre: Our history since 1996, what the centre offers, and what our meditation room is like.
Our Founder, Teachers & Tradition: Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, Gen Kelsang Thekchen, Gen Kelsang Chodor and the Kadampa lineage.
Membership: Monthly support memberships that include classes, live-stream access and study programs.
Volunteer Opportunities: Help with the building, publicity, classes and retreats.
Giving Tuesday: Our year-end fundraiser, with ways to make a charitable donation.
Temples for World Peace: The International Temples Project and Kadampa Temples around the world.
New Centre: The possible move to 499 Preston St and how to pledge support.