JD VINEYARD

JD is a longtime student at KMC Texas, he began his meditation practice at KMC Texas in 2010. Since then, he has gone deeper with KMC Texas' study programs, which he has been enrolled in for the last ten years. Currently, JD is studying on the Teacher Training Program.

He brings a wealth of personal Dharma experience and uses practical examples in his teachings that help make Buddha's teachings relevant and relatable to everyone. 

MARÍA HEYACA

María es una practicante kadampa de Argentina que actualmente se encuentra de visita en KMC Texas, donde colabora regularmente con el equipo de redes sociales y el boletín informativo.

Ha sido una fiel discípula de Gueshe Kelsang Gyatso Rimpoché durante aproximadamente 15 años y ha enseñado Dharma desde 2017 en diversos centros kadampa de Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica.

Al enseñar, María transmite alegría, cercanía y un profundo amor por las enseñanzas de Buda, inspirando a otros a integrarlas en su vida diaria con confianza y entusiasmo.

MARIA HEYACA

Maria is a Kadampa practitioner from Argentina who is currently visiting KMC Texas, where she regularly collaborates with the social media and newsletter teams.

She has been a faithful disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for approximately 15 years and has taught Dharma since 2017 at various Kadampa centers in the United States and Latin America.

When teaching, Maria conveys joy, warmth, and a deep love for Buddha’s teachings, inspiring others to integrate them into their daily lives with confidence and enthusiasm.

ANA BAÑUELOS

En 2021, Ana Bañuelos escuchó por primera vez las enseñanzas de Dharma, y en ese momento captó la sabiduría de Venerable Kelsang Gyatso. Ella conoció y quizó integrar estás enseñanzas en su vida diaria  como madre soltera.  Ana y su hija continúan este camino espiritual juntas. 

Ana disfruta hacer voluntariado en KMC Texas, aprendiendo más acerca se la Nueva Tradición Kadampa y  así compartirlo  con otros que estén interesados. 

En 2022 ella comenzó a asistir al Programa Fundamental de la Ciudad de México. Estás enseñanzas ayudaron a Ana abrazar todo lo que surge con un corazón abierto dejando ir la idea de que las cosas deberían ser diferentes, con la práctica de la Paciencia.

ZULEYKA HAUBERG

Zuly lleva practicando budismo Kadampa durante varios años. Está en el programa de formación de profesores de KMC Texas y es voluntaria habitual. Está casada y trabaja como coordinadora de marketing para una empresa de ingeniería ubicada en Addison. Zuly aporta simplicidad, calidez y profundidad a su enseñanza. Quiere que todos los seres vivos sean felices y libres de sufrimiento y está encantada de ofrecer clases de meditación para la comunidad de habla hispana.

VALARIE WEATHERSBY

Valarie has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism since 2006. She is on the Foundation Program at KMC TX and seeks to bring a warm and accessible approach to dharma teachings. Valarie is a licensed social worker and works in administration in a community behavioral health services agency in Tarrant County.

JENNY STREIT-HORN

Jenny has been studying and practicing Buddhism for over 20 years. She has been a Kadampa Buddhist practitioner for 10 years and finds Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's books and teachings to be remarkably clear and practical. She is studying on Teacher Training Program at KMC Texas and teaches at the KMC TX - Denton Branch. Jenny is known for her heartfelt teachings and for offering practical examples that help people integrate Buddhist teachings into their daily lives. Jenny is married and works professionally as psychotherapist in private practice.

CAROL SALERNO

Carol is an experienced meditator and Teacher, having studied and practiced Kadampa Buddhism for over 15 years. As a wife, mother, business professional and active volunteer at KMC Texas she has a wealth of practical experience of applying Buddha’s teachings in everyday life. She also has done several long meditations retreats and studies on the Teacher Training program. She brings joy, humor and genuine insight to her teaching.

SHANNON LAMBERSON

Shannon has studied Kadampa Buddhist meditation since 2006 and is currently on the Teacher Training Program. She regularly attends silent retreats to deepen her understanding and cultivate inner peace. Shannon’s teachings reflect her enthusiasm for meditation’s transformative power, and she believes KMC Texas is a welcoming space for anyone seeking inner peace. Professionally, she manages a university marketing team and, with her husband, actively volunteers at the center.

LUKAS KRATOCHVIL

Lukas has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism for over 15 years and regularly assists classes at our temple. He is a devoted husband and father and works in government for a local municipality.

FATIN KRATOCHVIL

Fatin has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism since 2004 and is currently on our Teacher Training Program. She enjoys sharing her love for Buddha's teachings and meditation and finding practical ways to implement them into all aspects of her life. During the day Fatin works as a Financial Analyst at a global firm in Dallas. She is married and both she and her partner enjoy volunteering at the center and helping to teach the kids class.

EARL JOHNSON

Earl Johnson is a native of Fort Worth, has been married to his best friend, Leah, for 43 years and is the father of two wonderful adult sons. Professionally he works in the mental health field. Earl has practiced Buddhism since 1977, and joined KMC Texas in 2010. He was kindly guided toward the KMC Texas Teacher Training Program by Gen Kelsang Menla. Earl is a natural story-teller bringing genuine warmth and compassion to his teaching.

ZULEYKA HAUBERG

Zuly has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism for several years. She is on the KMC Texas Teacher Training Program and is a regular volunteer. She is married and works as a Marketing Coordinator for an Engineering firm located in Addison. Zuly brings simplicity, warmth, and depth to her teaching. She wants all living things to be happy and free from suffering and is delighted to offer meditation classes for the Spanish-speaking community.

JOSH HAUBERG

Josh has been studying Kadampa Buddhism for several years and is on the Teacher Training Program at KMC TX. He is the Family and Childrens Class Coordinator and teaches regularly at the temple. He brings a warm and humorous presentation to his teaching. Josh is recently married and teaches elementary school in North Dallas.

ANA BAÑUELOS

Ana Bañuelos discovered Dharma in 2021 and was deeply inspired by the wisdom of Venerable Kelsang Gyatso. As a single mother, she and her daughter continue their spiritual journey together. Ana enjoys volunteering at KMC Texas and sharing the New Kadampa Tradition with others. Since joining the Foundation Program in 2022, she has embraced life’s challenges with patience and an open heart.

RENEE ADIBI

Renee Adibi has studied on Foundation and Teacher Training Program for 20 years and has developed a practical meditation practice, balanced with a busy family and work life. She is an active volunteer at KMC Texas.

KELI VAUGHAN

Keli is a long-time student and disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. She presents Buddha’s teachings in a practical and accessible way, showing how to use meditation to transform our ordinary life into a meaningful life.

GEN WANGPO

Gen Wangpo is the Resident Teacher at KMC Texas. 

Gen Wangpo has spent more than 20 years studying the skillful and compassionate teachings of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and has been teaching Dharma since 2004. Motivated by a deep commitment to helping others discover a meaningful spiritual path, Gen Wangpo inspires students to experience the transformative benefits of Buddha's wisdom.

Inspired by Venerable Geshe-la’s presentation of the teachings, Gen Wangpo shares the timeless wisdom of Kadam Dharma in ways that resonate with modern urban life. Through his clear, heartfelt, and compassionate approach, he makes profound spiritual principles both accessible and practical, motivating students throughout Texas to deepen their practice and experience genuine inner transformation.