Our Resident Teacher

Gen Kelsang Chokyi is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centers Indianapolis and Bloomington.

As a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Gen Kelsang Chokyi is a modern-day Kadampa nun. With joy, wisdom, and experience, she shows how everyone can easily integrate Buddha’s teachings into daily life. She has been a student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for 20 years.

Previously, she served as Resident Teacher for Serlingpa Meditation Center in New Bedford, MA, Kadampa Meditation Center San Diego, and Atisha Kadampa Buddhist Center in Providence, RI.

Senior Kadampa Teachers

KMC Indianapolis is fortunate to have inspiring and experienced practitioners who teach drop-in meditation classes, and retreats.

  • Fred May

    KMC INDY & TERRE HAUTE

    Fred has been a student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for over 20 years, and has been teaching at KMC Indianapolis for more than a decade. He is also professor emeritus at the University of Indianapolis. Fred brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Buddhism and meditation to his teachings, with a healthy dose of practicality for everyday life.

  • John Hammond

    KMC INDY

    John has been studying dharma and meditating for 7 years with the Center, and has a 20-year career at Rolls Royce as an analyst. He is dedicated to helping others learn to live happier lives through meditation and implementing Buddha's teachings. His clear and insightful teachings are highly relatable to anyone who lives a hectic modern life.

  • Jeannette Kennedy

    KMC INDY KIDS CLASS

    Jannette has been with the center for over for ten years, and has been a part of our children’s meditation program from the beginning. She is a busy mother of two, and a wonderful example of how to integrate Buddha’s teachings into a busy life. She enjoys sharing the modern presentation of Buddha’s teachings with parents and kids alike to help people find peace of mind.

  • Shawna Kent

    PITTSBURGH

    Shawna is on the Teacher Training Program with Gen Kelsang Chokyi at KMC Indianapolis. She has been studying Kadampa Buddhism for over a decade. The first time she walked into a meditation class in Brooklyn, she felt at home. Since then she has enjoyed sharing the Dharma with anyone who is curious about it, and looks forward to sharing the profound effect Buddhist teachings can have on our everyday lives.

    Shawna currently works in Pittsburgh as an editor and runs memoir writing workshops.

  • Amy Rodeheffer

    KMC INDY

    Amy has been a student of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for 16 years. She is currently serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for KMC Indy. She has served as a substitute teacher for general program classes and implemented the kids program at KMC Indianapolis in 2011. Currently, Amy works as a radiographic technologist at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. She loves teaching dharma classes, attending festivals and helping to spread dharma throughout the community.