The New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) respects all Buddhist traditions. It promotes a traditional path rather than an “exclusive” one. It never says that it is the only pure or valid Buddhist tradition, or that it is better than any other.

We are incredibly grateful for all the lineage Teachers in the Indian and Tibetan traditions of Buddhism, and the institutions and Sangha that supported them, dating all the way back to Buddha Shakyamuni over 2600 years ago. Without them of course we would not exist today.

Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso said in June 2008:

In the NKT we promote the view of respecting all other Buddhist traditions as well as other religions, and we rejoice in their virtuous and beneficial activities, but we do not emphasize studying all of them, in the same way that at a science college religious studies are not emphasized, or at a medical school architecture is not part of their curriculum. Nevertheless, we place emphasis in respecting all other religions, and if people wish they can also study them.

According to James Belither, former Secretary of the NKT, who worked very closely with Ven. Geshe Kelsang for decades:

Considering the NKT’s position regarding the Tibetan traditions in general, Geshe Kelsang has stated on innumerable occasions that he deeply appreciates all four Tibetan Buddhist traditions, praises Buddhist masters from all four schools in his books, and teaches that all four schools provide a complete and valid path to enlightenment. The over 4,000 pages of his collected writings contain not a single criticism of any other spiritual tradition, Buddhist or non-Buddhist.

Moreover, the NKT has never excluded those of different religious beliefs and backgrounds from its teachings and activities. Quite the opposite — the NKT means it when it says “Everybody welcome”. Local Center websites usually say something to the effect:

We do not discriminate based on race, gender, background, age, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or otherwise — everyone is always welcome at this Center and the other Centers around the world.