Bringing the Festival to the Heart in Spain
Aug 23, 2024
Continuing our coverage of the New Year's Celebrations from around the globe (See Part One of this post here), in this article we hear from many centres around the world. A collection of wonderful events to begin 2024 in a meaningful way!
Kadampa Meditation Centre Brazil has organized various activities to mark the transition from 2023 to 2024 at the Brazilian Temple for World Peace. An end-of-year retreat, New Year's celebration, and three retreats in January have been planned.
We hosted a 5-day retreat from December 17-31 called: In 2024, I want more peace in my heart, aimed at concluding the year harmoniously. The retreat comprised 9 sessions and saw over 40 participants.
The retreat reached its peak with the New Year's Eve celebration on December 31, featuring a dinner at our World Peace Cafe, followed by a General Program class and Liberation from Sorrow prayers. Over 200 people attended, creating a beautiful and special atmosphere, especially during the recitation of Tara's mantra around midnight.
Kadampa Meditation Center Karlsruhe began the new year with a powerful puja, Klangvolle Trommel - Melodious Drum Victorious in All Directions dedicating it to world peace and the flourishing of Dharma worldwide.
At Kadampa Meditation Centre Hamburg, it was the first New Year's Eve event since 2019. We enjoyed delicious snacks, engaged in good conversations with like-minded people from all over Hamburg, were inspired by Venerable Geshe-la's wisdom, and entered the new year in meditation based on the sadhana of Buddha Avalokiteshvara.
Both our Kensington & Morden communities celebrated - with Kensington City Meditation Space featuring a mocktail bar, great food, and a teaching from Mark Budd - while our World Peace Temple in Morden featured our Resident Teacher Gen Zoma guiding mediations, with exquisite offerings to the Great Mother, Arya Tara, and 24-hour Tara Prayers.
Happy New Year from the team at KMC London! All the best for the year ahead!
New Year's Eve at Kadampa Meditation Centre Metz featured a beautiful retreat on the practice of Buddha Tara and a meal. All those who participated in the retreat and joined for the meal found it a festive and friendly way to spend the New Year.