Our Teachers

Resident Teacher Kadam Carol Lutker

Kadam Carol is a longtime student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, and has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism in Long Island NY and Florida since 2001. She serves as an example of how to practice Dharma within the context of family and community,  is married and has three grown children. As a teacher, Carol is especially appreciated for her warm, clear and practical instruction.

John Jones

John has been interested in meditation for the past several years.  He has briefly explored other traditions but was delighted to find the Kadampa Center so close to his home.  John has been married for more than 40 years and has one daughter.

Pat Widergren

Upon returning from time spent in Thailand, Pat was looking for Buddhist meditation classes. Fortunately, Kadam Carol was in her yoga class and invited her to meditation class. The rest is history, as they say, and Pat has been meditating and practicing New Kadampa Buddhism for more than 15 years. Pat is married, has 2 sons, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Joanna Ching

Thanks to Joanna’s grandma taking her to the Buddha’s Birthday and Avalokiteshvara’s Summer Camps when she was a kid – the seed was definitely planted. When her pet bunnies passed away in 2007, she found the Pure Land for them thru her sister Bicky, a dedicated New Kadampa Tradiction practitioner in Hong Kong. Since then, Joanna has been practicing Dharma not only for herself but for all other beings including bunnies, cats, dogs, fish, birds… and even insects.