Seeing this idyllic place thronging with enthusiastic festival goers we cannot help but remember that auspicious day in 2011 when Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche flew to Portugal to choose the site for the new Temple.

And the magical day two years later when Venerable Geshe-la returned to open and bless the completed Temple, and teach the 2013 Fall Festival.

This evening, five years later, the 2018 Fall Festival begins here. Gen-la Khyenrab will give the introductory teaching at 7.30 and tomorrow he will grant the empowerment of Buddha Amitayus.

The Temple, the Festival, the Teacher and the teachings – indeed everything auspicious that is about to happen here – is due entirely to Venerable Geshe-la’s extraordinary vision and kindness.

We invite you to enjoy the unfolding of this precious event by following the Festival Diaries starting here tomorrow.