General Spiritual Director
Treasury of Unobservable Compassion ~ with Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
Nov 22, 2024
news from the joyful land
Joyful Land Retreat
International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon recently enjoyed a Lamrim retreat with Gen-la Jampa called Joyful Land Retreat.
It was based on The Mirror of Dharma by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Here are some takeaways from Gen-la’s powerful teachings:
"The method to develop renunciation, is to contemplate in detail the sufferings of samsara. We need to overcome our attachment to the temporary enjoyment we currently experience.”
“We need to have a strong wish to leave samsara, to avoid these sufferings forever. There's a certain level of mental peace knowing that we've taken a rebirth in this realm and it's not a permanent state to be in.”
“We are taking personal responsibility to permanently liberate all living beings from their suffering."
“Renunciation is not a gloomy mind. It's a wisdom mind that recognizes why there is suffering."
Study programs resuming
Yesterday Gen-la gave a public talk to the local people as a prelude to new courses starting at the center. Even some local wildlife showed up for the talk!
During the new term, TTP students will be studying The Bodhisattva Vow with Gen-la and FP students will be studying The New Eight Steps to Happiness with Kadam Michelle.
Looking ahead
The center has just released details of their popular six-week Mountain Retreat in January-February. Gen-la will be guiding retreat on generation and completion stages of Vajrayogini.
Not to be missed!
