Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab, retired General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and National Spiritual Director for Canada visited Portugal for a few days of sheer magic:

‘This year we celebrated Venerable Geshe-la's birthday with a very blessed public talk by Gen-la Khyenrab for over 150 people in the heart of Lisbon. This was a very auspicious sign for the National Festival that would happen a few days later at the Temple in Sintra.

‘Then, from 7-10 June over 160 people gathered at the Temple to receive the blessing empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni and the oral transmission of the book Introduction to Buddhism by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

‘Gen-la taught clear methods to succeed in our meditation, combining the practices of our daily lives with a formal Lamrim meditation. Later we enjoyed a retreat on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path guided by the Resident Teacher at KMC Deuachen, Gen Rigden. The Festival ended with a beautiful offering to the spiritual guide puja.

‘Thank you Venerable Geshe-la for this opportunity. May we always maintain a deep appreciation for the Kadampa Festivals.‘