General Spiritual Director
Day 11 ~ Purity
Aug 4, 2026
THE HEART OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI
Reflections on Portuguese National Festival 2023
Last weekend on the West coast of Europe, in the charming city of Sintra, the Portugal National Festival organised by Kadampa Meditation Center Deuachen was held at the forth Kadampa Temple for World Peace.
Gen-la Kelsang Thubten granted the empowerment of Buddha Prajnaparamita and gave commentary to the Yoga of Great Mother practice and meditations on emptiness from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche's book The New Heart of Wisdom. The importance of engaging in the meditation on emptiness was emphasized throughout the festival.
Gen-la also highlighted the significance of correct imagination, which is a form of wisdom and one of the most powerful tools in Tantra. By practicing emptiness and correct imagination, participants were encouraged to find a new and most beneficial identity - that of Buddha Prajnaparamita, the heart of Buddha Shakyamuni.
"The people of Portugal are very fortunate to have the fourth Kadampa Temple of World Peace, which was opened and blessed by Geshe-la himself." Gen-la said in his concluding teaching, "Please remember, Geshe-la never leaves, he is here with you every day," he said, touching the hearts of the attendees.
The post festival retreat is being guided by the Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Rigden.
